The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-08-30
EMANCIPATION DAY.
Features of Its Celebration by the Ne
groes of Richmond.

Features OF Its Celebration bY the Ne
groes of Richmond.
The negroes of Richmond are going to
celebrate the 9th anniversary of the enan
cipation proclamation. They will celebrate
three days-Octobcr 10, III, and II, at the
Exposition-Grounds.
In advertisement just published concern
ing the affair. is the following: at is de-
plorable consideration when one thinks of
how ungrateful and how unthankful the
colored citizens have been that they have
tailed to establish a National Thanksgiving
day to Almighty God for that inestimable
blessing (freedom) for which our iorefathers
prayed for more than 200 years. We find il
is consistent with the views of every RAJ
tional colored man and woman and every
patriotic white man, that the colored
people establish a National Thanksgiving
or Celebration Day TO be strictly adhered 10
throughout all succeeding generations.
Hence it will be the object Of this body to
set apart one day on this occasion for
general consultation and agreement upon
some day to be annually observed as IA day
of prayer and Thanksgiving 10 our Heavenly
Father for having blotted out slavery from
our land. The result Of which marked
new era in the history Of the Nations exist
ence.
Old plantation songs and religious hymns
will be sung by the entire crowd. several
hymns will also be set apart for the benefit
of the aged Christians who may attend 10
offer prayers to God for the preservation
of their lives and the rich results accru-
ing by their prayers offered years ago.
Juvenile songsters will entertain their
aged parents. Essays, oratiOns, and
addresses will be delivered by young
women and men. TO show their intellectual
improvement. Order of exercises daily.
That the move may be complete success,
we are authorized to invite all temperance
organizations, churches, schools, farmers
alliances, secret and benevolent societies
and soldiers. Societies will parade in their
regular regala, and boys forming clubs be-
tween ten and sixteen years will wear blue
stockings and a belt Of Union colors.
OLD RELICS.
The committee having the matter in
charge, advises "that as many OF the old
costumes and wearing apparel that were
used during the days of slavery be brought
10 Richmond for that occasion, also such ar
ticles as spinning wheels, old cards that
were used for carding cotton or wool, or
relics OF those days. For any OF the above
articles the committee promises lair COM
pensatiOn, or premium. Speakers from
nearly every State in the Union will
he invited 10 be present. This being
the first National gathering Of the
colored people with this object in view
since they obtained their freedom there will
doubtless be an immense gathering in view
OF which we have established "a bureau of
information in connection, by which we
hope TO be able 10 bring together relatives
and friends who were sold during the days
OF slavery and have never been able to get
any trace OF each other since that time"
Among the many noted and important
features Of this occasion Will be the largest
gathering Of the colored soldiers just "a they
appeared In the Union army, and who will
give sham battle, which Of Itself will be of
vast interest.
OFFICERS IN CHARGE.
The Executive Committee is composed of
y. A. Randolph, LII. b.. Richmond Bar;
Rev. j. l.. Jones, ID. d., Richmond TheOlogi-
cal Seminary; W. w. Browne, president OF
True Reiormers' Savings Bank; Professor
NV. Hayes. V. \. aud G. Professor ID.
w. Davis, State sunday-school Work; Major
}. Is. johnson, State Militia, and DR.. X. +.
Jones.