Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-09-23
WHEELING DAILY REGISTER WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3d.


would you do with 7,OOO,O 600 muscular, Wig
orous black citizens cooped up in a terri
toryl The army would find its greatest
difficulty in keeping the white people out
| When you see a colored man his white
brother is always around. He will be
there, il only to see what the colored man
is doing.
Again it is proposed to send US to Africa,
our mother country. Africa does not bear
| the relation of mother to US, 1t is our
mother-in-law, as 1t were-as every mar
ried man knows, most lovable creature
| That won't do, either. In the early years
| Of the war Congress set aside fund TO be
used in sending out Of the country colored
men who strayed into the Federal lines,
but the scheme failed because the negroes
would not 60. The same trouble would be
experienced in this case. A colonization
society has been laboring for seventy years
to induce colored men to emigrate to LII
IBERIA, but has only succeeded in persuad-
| ing $4,000 to go in that time. The idea
might be reasonable il the colored mans
prospects here were not quite so hopeful"
Mr.. Bruce here read some interesting
| statistics showing the progress made by
the negro race In a quarter OF century
and commented upon them briefly. He
then continued:
'Go to Africa, ehl Oh, no; we like
| Wheeling too well for that In the face Of
our progress, what is the use of talk
| ing Of sending the colored people out
/ Of the United Statesl 1t is just as reason
able to talk of sending any other race back
| to its native country. The black man IS
here to stay, to contribute his share toward
the development of this country, and TO ex-
ercise all the prerogatives Of American cit
izenship. The negroes, unlike the Indians
and Chinese, assimilate readily, and take
to Anglo-Saxon civilization like duck to
water.
will say one thing more, my friends,
let duty be your watchword. Perform
your whole duty as an American citizen,
wherever you maySbe placed, feeling as
you do so that the great emancipation, Alb
raham Lincoln, Sumner, Grant-those sun
crowned heroes on the other shore, are
watching your movements. You must not
| be false to the expectations Of those who
! did so much for you. The outlook is full
of hope and promise. We have no excep-
| tional virtues, no exceptional vices; we
stand for humanity, presenting good
| and bad tendencies, just as they are
presented by any other race I'M
der similar circumstances, and with
| like environments, The change in our
| y
has been so radical that it seems not only
wonderful, but even magical. Let US mas
ter the lesson yet to be learned, and the
work which remains, and neither the I'M
! Just criticism or violence of our enemies
will divert US from our purpose. with
| charity for all and malice toward none,
let US continue in our march of progress"
Ex-senator Bruce's address was re-
| plete with witty illusions, and was a
calm, thoughtful discourse, containing
much practical advice to his race. He
was frequently unable to proceed on ac-
count of the applause, which was par
ticularly strong when he had finished.
Prof. Jones made few announcements
and the audience dispersed, remaining
upon the grounds and taking part in
the various amusements provided until
dusk.
RECEPTION AND BANQUET.
The audience was slow In assembling
at Turner Hall last night, and 1t was
nine o'clock before the exercises began.
Half an hour later every seat in the
hall was occupied, and standing room
was at premium.
The exercises opened with music by
the Etnaville Cornet Band, after which
the girls representing the States, aided
by the choir, sang several selections.
Rev. j. j. Jones followed in fervent
prayer. After another selection by the
band, Prof. j. McHenry Jones advanced
to the front Of the stage and delivered a
neatly worded address on "Our Guest,
which was received with enthusiastic
demonstrations of approval.
Capt. B. b. Dovener was down on the
programme for an address on Lincoln.
When introduced he said that he had
not expected to have the pleasure of ad-
dressing the audience last evening, and
therefore was not prepared. Before he
had spoken many words, however, the
Captain got interested in his subject and
grew eloquent in picturing the scenes in
the life of the Great Emancipator. HIS
admirable address was we'll received.
The response was made by Hon. b. X.
Bruce, who spoke briefly, on account or
suffering from hoarseness. His remarks
were eulogiStic of Abraham Lincoln, to
whom he paid a glowing tribute. lie
! then referred to the great progress OF
the colored race since their liberation,
and closed amid much applause.
There were loud calls for Mayor Sea-
bright, who was seen in the hall, and In
response His Honor mounted the stage
and delivered one of his characteristic
speeches. Rev. Jones then thanked all
who had contributed toward making
the demonstration the magnificent sue
cess it was, and made few announce
| ments.
The floor was then cleared and dane
ing was INDUCED in until an early hour
this morning, while refreshments were
- 49, +bo 1odias down stairs