The historic times. [volume] (Lawrence, Kansas) 1891-1891, 1891-09-19
TIE EMANCIPATION DAY.

1t was Sept. 22nd 1862 when Abraham
Lincoln issued the Emancipation Procla-
nation. Since that time the above
date has, By precedent and historic legend,
been a remote. but certain date for apprc-
pirate commemoration. While this is the
proper date around which clusters many
mighty achievements civil and social, it's
a fact that the work OF Emancipation only
began in 1862 in certain loo liti 8. 1t was
not until Jan 1stlS63 that the proclama-
ton went into effect The casual observer
can truthfully note that it was some years
after ehis time ere the head and shoulders
of the confederate domain yielded 70
the unconditional demands Of Lincoln.
The smoke on the battle fec ike blaz
Ing fuel in a small furnace sent forth its
last odor Of blood and confusion, From
the four quarters OF the Union conquest
strewn with the fabric ruins of wealth and
misdirected craftsmanship Of the ''sunny
south"-the utter futile attempt TO build a
new government upon the demolished
debTy of historic wr7cks-came the living
and the wounded back to loving arms who
were wont to give them up at first.
Among that number were the black faces
Of men who were disrobed degraditiOn
and elevated TO a plain of American citizen.
ship whose eyes penetrated the mist Of
heroic valor and rested on the summit Of
its glory. Here begins the period of ador.
alton. Patriotic fires were kindled in the
heart ofevery colored man We admired
nav venerated the nsmes Of Gen. Grant
and Abrham Lindoln. Throughout the
South the date of the celebration Of the
emancipation was invariably fixed on
Aug, 4th in order that the masses a ma
iority Of which were emp Dyes might meet
and swoon at the shrine of telling orations
tempered with glitterlng jewels from the
lives of Greel, Sumner and Garrison. As
an intelligent people we are becoming
wise in the doctrines of American liberty,
and it is right that we should celebrate
the22nd of sept. as NATIONAL HOLIDAY.
The coored press of the United States
should unite in urging the race to adopt
the above date and press the matter for an
official recognition on the part OF All
Americans. This day brought liberty to
the Negro, peace and prosperity to the
American Republic; therefore it should be
made PEOPLES DAY. We truely hope
the leaders of our people will strongly OPP
pose and discard any other date except the
22nd of Sept. as the ONLY EMANCIPATION
DAY. If necessity or pleasure seizes hold
of some of our local or church organiZa-
tons and they are determined to celebrate
Ang. 4th as our emancipation day let us
spurn and ridicule the idea. The knights
of Pythias of this city are making ample
predaratiogs to celebrate the 22nG at Star.
refs Grove. This venture commends its.
self TO ali liberty loving people whose
aspirations heretofore has Leen scattered
to the four winds. Let the farmers and cit
liens form one grand phalanx and with
drum and whistle, march to the Grove.
This IS not private but public day.
May God speed the time when hoary
headed zealots, and political, limber-jawed
ignorant, debased politicians shall cease
to ebb on TRADE of political maneuvers
| and unWholsome ''clash."