Richmond planet., 1890-10-11
RICHMOND. VIRGINIA, sATUR
THE THANKSGIVING CELEBRA-
TI0N.
Addr SIS to the Public end all Whom IL
May Concern.

mond, Va, October Is, 16, and II,
1890, beg leave to make the follow
ing declaration. There have been
agreat many statements made about
this celebration being a money-mak-
ing scheme for a few people. We
don't make this statement for the
purpose of waging war against any
body, but we make it because we ars
the public servants, and as such we
believe it our duty to make plain
statement to our masters about this
public matter that has come into
our hands and how it came TO be
placed in anr handc.
THE HEAD OF THE MOVEMENT.
Some time in the latter part of the
month of July we were called to a
meeting by George Williams, Jr., to-
gether with some of the prominent
men of Richmond and Manchester.
He laid before US the Importance OF
establishing a national Thanksgiv-
ing-Day for the whole people. We
were SO well pleased that we all with
one accord agreed with him, and
thanked him for being so thought
ful. He assured us that q club of
young men and himself had organic
ed throughout the country, and had
the movement on foot for a long
while, which movement had grown
so large as to be beyond their con-
troll, and that they desired to turn
the management over to some of
the more elderly and responsible
people. We found that they had ex-
ha1sted all their resources, and
more money was needed to complete
the work. The time was so short
that we did not think it wise to
change the plan of operation, but
laid hold where they left off to COM
plete the work.
GOVERNMENT AND MANAGEMENT.
We elected the gentlemen whose
names are attached to this paper as
an executive committee, and contin-
ued George Williams, Jr., as general
superintendent under the direction
OF the executive committee. As we
were so badly in need of money we
put out a collector to beg, but he
made such a poor headway, that we
requested each member Of the COM
mittee to advance as much as S25
and trust Providence for its return.
which they did cheerfully, as they
did not desire to see such "A roocl
movement fail. Since the govern
ment aud management have fallen
upon our shoulders we think now
is the time for us to speak.
EveSy sane-minded man and
woman will admit that it takes
somebody's time and money to
work up such large movement as
this is. The personal visit from
place TO place, two or three clerks
daily answering communications for
three months, and various other ex-
penses too numerous to mention in
this statement, have taken much
money. The standing publications
in the different newspapers cost
something, as you are aware that
our editors are poor men and not
able to run their papers for nothing.
MONEY COLLECTED.
We expect to pay all the expenses
and money advanced and take care
of the visiting soldiers. You know
these are no small things to do. We
want some money left in the hands
of the officers that may be in charge
of the mandates of the convention
for the purpose of corresponding
with all the various heads of the
several religious bodies, also the
heads of the large civic societies to
have them ratify the day establish,
ed by the convention and ask Con
gress to legalize the same. Now
shall we leave the said officers The
work to do and the money to do il
with or the work to do and no mon
ey? Shall the convention meet
spout big speeches, pass resolutions
resolve and resolve, adjourn to gC
home, and never hear anything
more of the cause or work, as w
have known spouting and speech
making conventions to do hereto
fore?
THE CELEBRATION AND ITS BURDENS
We understand that it is the OF
llecG OF the movers OF this celebre
tion to establish a day to be put W
on record as a national day TO th
present and rising generations {
the Negro race to celebrate annual,
for the purpose of thanking God fo
the invaluable blessing of freedom
. Now as the blessing reaches al
J therefore we have placed a sma
gate fee upon all, and rented til
D privileges at the Fair Grounds tina
= those who participate in the celebrs
: tion will have a chance to bear
part of the burden and thus make
8 light upon all.
= MONEY LEFT.
Il Should there be any money Ie
: after expenses as above mentione
3 are paid it shall go to an Old Folk
n Home and the Young Mems Chris
ian Association.
t Written and published by ord
u of the Executive Committe insbeha
of the honesty and fairness of ii