Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-01-02
TRANSCRIPTION CELEBRATION.
The Meeting in Alexandria Last Night-L
ters Read and Speeches Delivered.


ters Read and Speeches Delivered.
The twenty-eishth Anniversary Of the sign
ing of the emancipation proclamation by Presi-
dent Lincoln was observed in Alexandria, Va,
last evening BY great gathering Of the colored
people Of that place and number from this
city. They met at Lannon's Opera House.
Letters Of regret at being unable to be present
were read from President Harrison, the MEM
bers of the cabinet and other men prominent in
public life, who had been invited.
THE LETTER PROM HON. HUGH HcuLLouaH,
who was member Of Lincoln's cabinet. dis
cussed at length and in . very interesting way
the effect Of the proclamation. whether or
not, the writer observed, this absolute and
unconditional acknowledgment OF q race which
had never enjoyed the rights which are consid-
cred necessary FOR the intelligent use OF the
ballot was wise or not Is an open question. 1t
was, know" he added, ''the opinion OF Mr..
Lincoln and other friends Of the colored race
1t certainly was mine-that some qualification,
such as the ownership of taxable property, or
ability to read and write, or both, should have
been required for the exercise of the right to
vote as an inducement for the acquisition OF
what is needful on the part OF self governing
people. The ballot. in the hands OF those who
have an interest in the public welfare, and the
intelligence to use il discreetly, IL an allimpor-
tant and beneficial power. In the hands OF
ignorant, poverty-stricken men who are the
dupes Of those who make politics q trade. 1t Is
an instrument of mischief and mlschlef only.
THE RIGHT OF SUFFRAGE.
Continuing, he said: at is to be hoped
that our state laws will soon be SO changed
as to put restrictions upon the voting power
Of immigrants but it is neither possible
or desirable that the right TO vote should
be taken from the native-born colored
people. Whether the unconditional right
to the use of the ballot was wisely bestowed
upon them, whether they are only nominally
freemen or free men in fact. depends upon
themselves. There is pervading opinion that
the Africans are naturally an inferior race; that
if they had not been the dark clouds Of ignC-
rance and barbarism which have for ages rested
upon great and fertile country would long
since have been dispelled and she would have
been ranked among the civilized nations of the
world. These are good but not conclusive
grounds for this opinion. Other races, es-
pecially those of European origin. have had
superior advantages for enlightenment and
culture: there was time when they, also, were
barbarians.'
In conclusion, the writer said: THE south
will cease to be politically solid when the
colored vote is divided, as il will be when voters
do their own thinking and vote according to
their party feelings and principles. The
whites have always been divided. and pretty
evenly divided, upon political questions when
not united III defending common rights. So
will blacks be when freed from outside pres
sure. They will become members of the two
great political parties into which the country
has ever been divided"
THE PRINCIPAL SPEECH
of the occasion was made by Mr.. James NJ.
Townsend. a colored man. who was appointed
by President Harrison chief of division in the
general land Office. He expressed the belief
that every man or woman makes the world in
which he or she lives. While every colored
boy in the country. for example, cannot be
President or a member of Congress, every lad
can be man. and to be a man is something
There are some people in this country who say
that no man. because his skin is black, can be
q man in the fullest sense of the word, and that
no woman, because her skin is black. can be
lady. Whoever bellies and SANDERS the race in
that way is liar
Mr. TOWNSEND WANTS sroaY BOOTS WITH NAILS.
TOO long has it been the case" the speaker
said, that men have argued that one class is
born to rule and the other born to be ruled.
Too long have my people believed that there
was a distinction. always wish had on q pair
of No. IL stogy boots with nails in them when l
see colored man walk into business office
public place-and take off his hat with one
hand and scratch his head with the other, as If
corfessing that he was in the presence Of his
master. The white men will only respect us in
proportion as we respect ourselves. Socially,
can fix my own course. There are lots OF
white people L wouldn't admit to my home
lots of them. There are some. too. who
wouldn't admit me to their homes, but all they
have to do is TO let il be known. and I'll stay
away. 1t is not question of social equality,
but of political and civil equality.
LITTLE FAITH IN LEGISLATION.
THE gods help them who help them
selves" he quoted, and said: II have little
faith in any sort of legislation that is meant
to settle the question. Legislation and po-
litical parties won't do IT, The white men won't
do il. The negro must take his destiny in his
own hands. Your white friends will help YOU.
but Won must do the work. God never does
anything for man that he can do himself We
must exert ourselves 10 the last extremity
then is Gods opportunity. and he takes hold
and does the rest. To Us the outlook is hope
full. There is everything to cheer us. The
President, the officers Of state the heads of de-
partnents and majority in Congress are
friendlvito our cause. l believe that things
will balance up and adjust themselves
Other speakers were called upon by the
chairman Of the meeting Mr.. Magnus L. Rob-
inson. and the meeting adjourned at late
hour.