The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-02-06
GOVERNOR ASSISTS AT A CONCERT.
His Speech at the Testimonial to Madame
Lizzie Pugh Dougan.

The testimonial concert rendered Madame
Lizzie Pugh Dougan at Plymouth Church
last evening was not nearly so we'll at
tended as the merit of the entertainment
deserved. Madame Dougan is q singer of
recognized excellence. and has been char
acterized as the Patti of the colored race.
The programme was varied and interesting.
Frederick Simpson gave a trombone solo,
Miss Matte A. Sissle gave a dramatic read
ing of Rock of Ages" and Mrs. Ella Gibbs
Thompson and Ernest o. Orsburn sung
Donizetti's duet. "The Adieu.n the first
half of the programme concluding with
Mulder's Staccato Polka, by Madame
Dougan. In addition to the names here
given. Miss Sadie Stapp. Mrs. Roxie b.
Jones. I. B. Johnson and David C. Gee ap-
peared in the second part of the pro-
gramme. the last-named gentleman in .
c0rnet fantasia.
Governor Chase. who was on the pro-
gramme for an address, sp oke as follows:
MY friends. when l con sented to be
present this evening / hoped that the citi-
zens of Indianapolis would appreciate the
effort that WAS being put forth by those
who are to entertain US Tonight WITH an
audience that would make them joyous all
tuelI llVeS. luis Only Sixty years II
first agitation of the anti-slavery move
ment In this country. / have seen almost
all of it, and SO far as the elevation of the
colored race Is concerned, / have witnessed
it all-.All of which l saw and part of
which / was 1t Is not O marvel to me
that you are trying to do something for
yourselves. 1t Is q marvel You have made
such wonderful progress within my own
memory. | remember when twelve years old.
that is, forty-five years ego, of hearing q
enlnroc orator in OrQn ga a0nnfV Nav York
say that o phrenologist had made the state
ment that the colOred people had no bumps,
and the orator added that if the phrenol-
ogist had gone to the country he came
from that if the colored man did not have
any bumps somebody took q club and made
some. That day has passed away. j have
seen things that almost made all the blood
curdle in my veins. What oceans of tears.
what agonles rave been endured in those
2A years of slavery But you ave reached
the promised land. Heaven has come since
Abraham Lincoln, with a stroke OF his pen.
struck the shackles from four millions OF
bondsmen. and gave liberty to four millions
or people. 1t was q great thing to do, the
right thing to do. and now We wonder
that slavery was ever permitted. No man
can rejoice moro at the progress of our
friends who are to entertain us tonight
than myself. have been watching with
interest the development of the race. Who
would have thought in my boyhood that o
colored man would ever be q Governor of O
State, q Representative In Congress, q Sem
ator Of the United States or a minister to
foreign countriesi Yet In our brief lives we
have seen the colored man fill these posi-
tions with honor and credit to himself and
to his country.
81 do not want to be misunderstood. /
do not feel that you are honored-I take it
as a great compliment to be invited to come
here and make an address. however brief it
may be- In my town if the white girls
don't look out. a colored girl. q neighbor of
mine. will take the honor of the class. A
colored girl did take the honors in Vim
cennes q while ago, and what o furore it
created among those who thought
themselves better than mere flesh and
blood. But the people took it up
and declded. as they always do. for the peo-
pie generally are right, that there must be
no color line in the state of Indiana. Don't
permit yourselves to become discouraged.
Press on for q quarter of 3 century to
come as You ave for the quarter that has
gone. and there will be a greater develop
ment manifested On the part of the
race than ever before. Schools IN the south.
as well as in this North land, are bring e
ing you to an understanding of yourselves.
No one can tread you beneath their feet.
No one can hold you back. 1t will be your
own hand that will strike your own breast
if you do not succeed in the struggle of
life. 1t is only recently that one of our
citizens las become famous by appoint
ment as minister to Liberia. The entire
city of Indianapolis badeshim god-speed to
his new field of labor. and there is not q
lingering doubt in any ones MUD but he
will be equal to his task and perform his
duties acceDtably and WELL"
The entertainment was under the man.
agement of X. w. Thompson n l.. A.
Newly.