The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1891-09-23

said he thought it was hardly necessary
to detaIn the audience, but he cOngratu.
lated the people OF Wheeling, black and
white, on the magnificent demonstra-
ton OF the day. 1t had been shown
that there was q fellow feeling among
.aii classes in Wheeling. In the name
OF the black people he thanked the
Mayor, the fire department and all who
had decorated their houses along the
line OF march. He congratulated the
people in the parade, and spoke
eloquently of the significance of the
day. His remarks were heartily APP
plauded, and when with n glowing
eulogy he presented Hon. Blanche K.
Bruce, the applause was deatening.
Mr.. Bruce has a clear, strong and
pleasant voice and graceful bearing
ditors. He opened by congratulating
tho people Of Wheeling on the kindly
feeling that had been demonstrated to
exist between the two races IN Wheel
ing. He had met few moments be-
fore and now saw sitting on the platform
man-Capt, John McLure-who was
the only surviving Lincoln eiector from
Virginia in 1860. He had met dis
| LlnKulbueu luuy-NlEs' 4lOEupIoOh- NAO
was friend OF his race in other days.
Hon. G. w. Atkinson was also on the
stand, and beside him the Mayor Of the
town.
Mention of these names, he contin-
ued, shows, as the decorations OF the.
houses have shown, the good
will and friendly feeling OF the
white for the black race and the pres
ence OF such gentlemen is q sufficient T
guarantee that there shall be no viola
tion of the proprieties OF to-day by any
reference of n partisan character. APP
plause.l The American people are fond
OF making political speeches, and they
have 365 days in the year to make them;
but this year We will devote S64 days to
politics and this day to the celebration
Of freedom.
He read some stanzas from poem on
Emancipation day by way OF introduce
ton.
THE USE or SUCH CELEDRATIoNs.
1t has been questioned by some peo
pie If any good is accomplished by the
celebration of such anniversaries as this.
These. people argue that these celebra-
tions tend to perpetuate race prejudices,
and thus to sever us from thegreat body
Of American citizens; they suggest that
we should be content to celebrate the
birth of American liberty in general by
commemorating Independence day. |
am not prepared to admit the force OF
the doubt, the argument or the sugges-
ton. In all ages notable events in the
history OF races and of nations have been
deemed worthy OF celebration, and in
our own generation no event has been
more notable or more significant than
the declaration OF emancipation by
Abraham Lincoln. Applausel Just
so long as we appreciate the blessings
conferred upon us by emancipation will
we be inspired to celebrate this day. 1t
is well that we should here meet to.
gether to recall the nseries of our for
mer condition, and the better things
that came; that We teach our children
to value the rights and privileges con-
ferred upon us with freedom. This Is u
good day to take IN inventory OF our
prerogativgs and our privileges, and to
note what We have done, how far We
have advanced in the years since free
dom was born for us.
The Fourth OF July and this day arc
kindred anniversaries; the one marks
the birth OF nation and the other OF
rnce. On the one land won liberty,
and on the other race its freedom, and
each OF these events will forever be
remembered with gratitude. This day
we celebrate is our natal day-the BIRTH
day OF the race.
TIE DUTIES OF CITIZENSHIP.
I want to impress upon you that the
bestowal OF great prerogatives imposes
alsogreat responsibilities. ourheritage
Of freedom brings new duties with it.
There ia no better way to improve this
occasion than by frankand intelligent
examination Of the demands upon us
Us American citizens.
Personal liberty conveys the idea OF
personal ownership. a man who has
personal liberty owns his own mind and
| I'LL its powers, his own body and all its
energies, his own time and all its possi-
bilities. But personal liberty does not
imply license; it is not liberty to do as
you please; to indulge the passions, the
whims, the inclinations where We please.
1t is freedom subject to the restraints
and limitations OF law. Organization is
essential to civilization. The common
good must be supreme.
Iwant to speak to you particularly OF
one OF the prerogatives and accompany
ing duties conferred upon US by eman-
cipation-thc right to acquire property
and the obligation to do So Material
prosperity is necessary to advancement.
There is no desirable thing which the
| iudicious use OF wealth cannot directly
or indirectly secure. Among all your
gettings gct-not wisdom only, but getd
home. Applause] Integrity, prosper
ity, advancement, is impossible among
homeless people. Free man from
domestic restraints and he all the time
tends to vagabondRge. The homestead
is Of primary importance to the Eng
lish and to the better class OF Ameri-
cans, and it must become so to US ii we
are to become q prosperous, virtuous
and contented race,
INFLUENCE OF HOME.
If you forget and ignore MI / say, II it
pass you by like the wind, beg OF you
to remember this one thing: Get
home! No matter how small, nor how
rough the material; no matterif the
stars Of heaven glisten through its