Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-09-21
OLD-TlME MELODIES.
soNes OF SLAVE DAYS TO BE A FEA-
TuRE OF THE OCCASION.
Nov the Co,orcd People viii Celebrate in
October.-A Big Crowd Ex-
pectcd.

The celebration Of the colored people in
this city which takes place October 18TH.
isth, and 18th will likely be memorable
event in their history.
Between 1900 aud 10000 visitors are ex-
pected. and AGENTS are now at work IN
various sections OF tho Stare making ar
rangemen,s for persons TO come and re-
ouesting their attendance on this occa-
sion.
A mnss-mceting Of the colored people
WAS held in Ivnchburc Friday night Tor
the purpose Of considering what steps they
should take in regard 70 toe celebration,
Addresses were made 10y Professor i W.
Penn and Rev. Mr.. Gordon.
An accent Is now IN Norfolk making at
rsncements for IN immense meeting there.
IopGYNas rOE TIKI VISITORS.
brreau of information has been estab-
iished AZ the colored Young Mems Chris.
tian Association. corner of Third and
Leigh streets. for tho purpose Of securing
and perfecting the facilities for lodging
and boarding tho visitors who wall be mere
on the occasion OF the celebration. As
there are not sufficient hotels for that race
here TO accommodate them, many VIII
board with private families. where 'hey
will have comfortable lodgings.
EXPOSITION BUILDINGS NFFDrD.
Mr.. Ashton Starke. president OF tho VIZ
rinia Agricultural and Mechanical society
was visited by committee o Few Gays aSo
for the purpose OF securing the mann hhil
of the Txpogition building 70 be usec Tor
the meetings. AZ many addresses are 70
10 made and great crowds expected the
largest available hall rs cesired M; star sc
assured tho committee that he had no OBJ
lection 20 tho use of the nan, UuI tiai
there was IN agreement nct"eeh 'ue boHI u
~ Directors OF the society and the insu.
rance companies that the former would
no, let tho main hall ont without the con
cent Of tho latter. tie also stated that Mr..
Sitter!inc was making the same edofts on
behalf OF the Germans % procure the
Music Hall. and that ne had no doubt that
Mr. Sittording would secure II. II he dld
20 the colored people would be also ehu-
tied 10 it.
ENHANCE ITF.
A.msll entrance Zoe VIII be charged ut
the gates and II is believed that this. to-
cether with donations made by merchants
iu the city, will be sufficient to dcTay the
expenses of the occasion.
LAWYERS J.. A. Randolph and James
Hayes and i. I. Turner have been ,ap-
pointed committee on holiday ana thSt
will request all the leading nrms OF the
CITY that employ COlorcd people 10 arrow
40 far sthev can cons silently DO 80 Will
ont material dotrimcnt 10 their business.
An effort will also 10 made 70 nave tAe
colored schools closed during the celcDrI-
ton.
OLD PLANTATION SONGS.
The Committee on Music hos been an
thorizod TO secure brass bands from tl'5
and other cities 10 furnish music iOr the
occasion. There will also be vocal muse
md some Of the melodlous old songs tnat
The slaves used TO sing on their return
home at Christmas from work Will DC rem
dered by large choruses.
RELICS or sLAyE TIsirs.
An effort will be made to have large
exhibit OF relics used ia the times Of slave
w. These will consist chiefly OF such
things as looms, sp.nning-wbeeis, farming
fmplements, combs. AMI other articles
manufactured by the slaves. The clothing
worn by the colored people OF ante-0ellum
DAYS will also be exhibited. Nhlle many
of the articles used IN those days have
long since been destroyed II is beloved
that the display viii be quite an interest
ing one. as LARGE number were cXhlblteu
nj the Worlds Exposition held at New VI
leans in 1sS4@S5.
The parade viii consist meinly Of the
colored organizations OF Richmond aud
vicinity, though there viii be no Objection
TO the visitors taking part. and the COM
mittee desire them 10 do so.
TIE MILITARY.
The mnior Of tho colora1 battalion of
this city is chairman of the Military Com
mittee and will not only bring out the
battalion, but Will also invite other soldiers
20 participate.
Captain Paul, of the State Guard, is also
n men Der of the Military Committee, and
Will doubtless parade with his company
The civic organizations Of tho CITY, az
has been their custom heretofore, Will
probably wear some badge or uniform sig
nlfying the character of their order
During the celebration a spectacular
concert. st which old melodies and songs
of to-day will be rendered, Will be given
under the direction OF W. Z. Dabney, the
well-known guitar and banjo instructor.
PRESIDENT, GOVERNOR, AND MAYOR.
The Governor and the Mayor have given
assurances that If possible they will be pres
ept on the occasion of the celebration;
and if so they VIII probably make adj
dresses. A committee waited upon the
Governor few days ago and invited HIM
70 be present. He said that he had made
several engagements, such as attending
the county fairs III the state, but II pos
sible be would certainly be present on
one Of the three days.
A committee will visit the President
about the LIST Of October and urge HIM To
attend the celebration. On q former visit
of the committee he assured them that
be would use every EFFORT possible TO be
present.
THEATRE AND ACADEMY.