Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-09-11
ONLY TO FIX THE DAY
THIS IS WHAT THE COLORED PEO-
PIE WILL MEET HERE FOR.
They Propose TO Have Annual Emancipa-
tlon CeIehratIons-Jayor and
Governor Invited.

Richmond has never had as many colored
people within her borders at one time az
will be here on tho 18th, 10th. and 17th
Of next month.
The committees IN charge of the arrange
ments are hard at work. and the hundreds
Of letters which they are receiving daily
show that the members Of their race
throughout the country are taking great
deal of interest in the matter
1t will be an emancipation meeting and
is designed TO partake Of a national C1h-
racter. Negroes from all sections VIII DC
here. but those of the southern States are
especially active and Will come IN largest
numbers. Some of the most prominent
men Of tho race in the southern States
have written here expressing the interest
which they feel. and signifying their IN
tention TO be present.
NOT TO CELEBRATE.
The design Of :he gathering is not, az
many have supposed and as might he III
ferred from the circulars sent ont. To
celebrate the anniversary OF the pro-
clamation issued by Lincoln IN Janu-
arv, 1868, but TO arouse the interest
Of the colOred people throughout the
country and when they have assem-
bled here by the thousand to adopt per-
ture wears. The occasion Is also designed
to illustrate the progress made by the
former slaves since their freedom. lheIe
will be many prominent speakers, but
they will be urged TO avoid all poNtcaI
references.
Relics showing the customs and labors
Of the slaves before the war Will be collect
ed and exhibited.
All kinds of ante-bellum tools and ma
Il. 81 oh 90
be gathered together and displayed.
A committee appointed by the organiZa-
ton called upon Mayor EllysOn YESTERDAY
nt his Office for the purpose of inviting MN
personally and in formal manner to dc,
| liver the opening address TO the assembled
| hosts, but as he was busllv engaged nv the
time the committee did not see hlln'
though they left a formal invitation Tor
him to speak. .-..,
Governor Mckinney will also be invited
TO speak at some time during the three
| days session.
THE OBJECT EXPLAINED.
A Dispqich reporter saw Lawyer l.. a.
| Randolph. chairman Ot the Executive
| Committee of this organization, yesterday
| and asked him why it was that the colored
| people were going 10 celebrate the ami
| yersary in October when the emancipation
| proclamation was issued by President LIN
| coin in January.
This is a national gathering Of the col
| ored people," said he, Ito be held at klch-
mond October 18th, 10th, and l1th, Tor the
| purpose of naming day which they Will
| for all time in the future celebrate IN COM
| memoratiOn OF the emancipation procla-
| nation which was issued by Mr.. Lincoln,
| then President. on January ], 1868.
Whether that day will be adopted or not
| for the celebration Of the proclamation Is
a question for the gathering To decide.
| There will be a committee appointed by
| this meeting for the purpose OF naming a
! dav for the celebrations, and this day Will
| doubtless be adopted by tins gathering.
WHY RICHMOND WAS CHOSEN.
"The reason why Richmond was decided
| upou as the place for holding this meet
| ing" continued Chairman Randolph, was
| that the idea first occurred to the colored
ueople of this citv, who thought that the
! celebration should take place here. where
they were tor the most part born ana
| raised.
After this meeting decides upon a regu-
| lar day we hope to have II leSalzed ov
| Congress and made a national holiday, ana
"a tie lst of January is alreadya legal holl-
dav there are great many probabilities
| that this will he adopted as the day ana
that il will be observed as "A national hoii-
| day by the colored people all over the coun-
| try ,
The Fair-Grounds have been secured
with all of their facilities for this meeting
and as the project has been very extensive
| lv advertised there is no doubt that Rich
! mond will have the largest gathering, OF
| colored people on that occasion that has
ever assembled IN this city.
| NO POLITICS N II.
HAS this gathering any political sisnl-
| q c--.-.s .cl-aI tho rpnpYfGr
None whatever" ," replied the Chairman,
! "and il is hoped that no friend OF the
cause will regard it in political liGnt, We
will have no political discussions. as those
who have been and are TO be invited to all
dress the people will be fully instructed to
| -