Wisconsin Afro-American., 1892-08-13
EMANCIPATION CEREMONIES
HELD AT ROCKFORD. ILL, MON
DAY, AUGUST |.
A Nest Mastery, Eloquent and
Patriotic Address delivered
by Colored Minister.

A Nest Mastery, Eloquent and
Patriotic Address delivered
by Colored Minister.
A very large gathering, consisting of the
best citizens of Rockford, both white and
colored, congregated at he fair grounds to
hear addresses made by Col Lawler, ex-
mayor Sherrett, Gen. Roper and other pro-
minent citizens. The principal address of
the day was made by Rev. S. B. Jones, pastor
of the A. NJ. E. church of that city. The
Evening Republican pays the orator the fol-
lowing compliment: "Rev. S. B. Jones,
pastor of the A. NJ. E. church was the next
speaker. His address was a most earnest
and eloquent one andccommanded the atten-
ton of the large gathering present." In the
| course of his remarks, he said, 'Ladies and
gentlemen, we invite you here at this hour to
witness our expression of love for the noblest
and | think best of onr deceased statesmen.
| refer to Abraham Lincoln, a peer of all
great men, who on January 1, 1868, placed
four millions of lacerated black that mantle
freedom, which is worshipped by all men, be
they heather or civilians.
The celebrating of emancipation procla
nation, in one sence, belongs strictly to the
negro; in another it interests the whole nor
thern section of our country, and especially
the boys in blue. Through the influence of
the emancipation proclamation, the negro
has risen like waive of the ocean. The
change seems to have been wrought by magic,
he had gone from the cotton fields to the
white house, he jostles his white brother in
all the professions; he strives for the mastery
in the mechanical field, aneshis note is circu-
lated through our banks and clearing houses.
In the institution of learning we find him,
there competing for honors with the whitest
and richest in the land. In nearly every
army that leaves the college, university, or
common schools as finished scho lars, we find
in their midst negao.
His freedom has not been curse to the
proves that morally he is inferior to none,
therefore, his good citizenship cannot be
denied. He has done as much for the wei
fare of the country as could be expected; his
patriotism dates from the infancy of our
country He shed his blood on Bunker Hill,
hefoughtlike Spartan with Jackson at Nca
Orleans, and then helped with his black arm
to save the union. Purchased his own free
dom and paid the price at Fort Pillow, Honey
, Hill, Poison Springs, Petersburg, Nashville
and other places, in proof of which, 38,S74
, patriotic, sable sons lie sleeping in the dust.
The negro, because he is free, should not SIT
down on the curbstone, but like Peter, be up
and moving, knocking at every door, every
| gate that leads to higher station in life.
: The negIos political priviledges are also
fruit of the event we commemorate. When
r the ballot was placed in his hand he received
the mightiest weapon in the land, and as
: we'll as the most sacred trust that could have
been committed to his care. In the exercise
S of this right, he must learn to rely upon nj:
: reason and Judgment; for if a man would be
| valuable to himself and to his country, II
solving the great political issues that are con
: be able to grasp them in his own intellec
and understand them. If he cannot do this
he will always be duped by political sharper
} and manipulaters. The negro's right
/ franchise in the south is humbug. farce,
a body without a soul. Persecution, hatred
e and murder have long driven out thl
life giving force. If the negro cannot enjoy
| these blessings in the south, let him, like TIT
, maidens of old, who fed to the mountains t.
S escape persecution, march to the colder
Y northwest 1t has many fertile spots, eXten
e sive grazing lands, it is rich in ore, and TEEN
e ing with forests. The exodus to kansa
J some years ago was blessing to the race ant
to the country at large. Just so will al
y movements of that kind bring rich return
j. of prosperity and add stars to the heavenl
e crown won by him who said on January Ist
. 1868 "Let all be free"