The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-09-23
1T WAS EMANCIPATION DAY
Great Event Which the Colored People
OF Illinois Celebrated at Paris.
Governor Fifer Heads q List of Distinguished
Speakers for the Occasion, Delivering q
Patriotic and Happy Address


Special 20 the Indianapolis Journal.
PARIS. ILL.,, Sept. DECENTRALIZATION day
was celebrated here to-day. The colored
people of this city have been making prep
a~rations for the last three months for this
event. They were rewarded with delight
full weather and q large crowd. The exer-
cises consisted of q parade aud q programme
at the fair grounds. There were three col
ored bands in the procession, including the
celebrated Brotherhood Band of Indian
apolis. There was a large number of PROM
inent speakers present, including Governor,
Fifer. /. n. Pearson. Henry l.. Hertz. John
NJ. Langston. john r. Lynch, ]. 6. Cannon
aud George +. Bacon. SO many noted
speakers being present the remarks were
very short. Governor Fifer said:
For several years l have travelled over this
State. visiting almost every nook and corner in
IL, but Lever before in my life have l had tho
pleasure OF visiting Edgar county. Since | came
and met with such q cordial reception. and gazed
on such an immense throng. 1 have been de-
lighted. l am glad 10 meet SO many intelligent,
progressive and prosperous people. l am glad
70 meet here to-day many OF the master minds OF
the colored race-a race which. thirty years ago,
WASH ablect slavery. with scarcely array of hope
In its future. This coming together and this
magnificent demonstration is deeply significant
lt speaks volumes for n people who have grown
10 comprehend and who are now able
W 6hON l1I dDIICtl1llDu OI TIC
transition from slavery TO freedom. The ad-
vanccment and achievements OF the race IN so
short a time has no parallel In all the worlds
history. Its progress has been phenomenal. and
Is q lasting credit TO the Nation which MADE it
possible and 10 the race that took advantage OF
the opportunities offered ny q desperate conflict,
Virginia was the birthplace OF human slavery in
the United states. l am a native OF old Virginia.
and. While have always looked with disgust
upon her slavery policy, yet am proud TO claim
for my birth-land the state that produced the
father OF this Republic and so many other Illus
trious champions OF our cIviiliberties and trainers
or the Constitution. Proud as | am OF having been
ton. still prouder am | TO be now
q citizen Of the great State that gave TO the world
your emancipator-Abraham Lincoln. Ii is now
just thirty years since this man issued that i'm
mortal document which lifted you from bondage
to the station OF respectable citizenship. and
took such a step forward in the elevation of the
morals OF mankind. IL took Lincoln TO show the
injustice OF human slavery. Ii was a mighty
undertaking., yet IL was done. That you
have improved your opportunities. your pros-
perity Will attest. You cherish the name OF Lin
coin as do We in illinois. and IL is we'll that we do.
By the act which makes this day a glorious one,
not only was the condition of the colored people
made better, but the condition OF US all was inn
proved. The star of hope now shines brighter in
the archways of the future OF all honest human
ity than 1t shone thirty years ago.
The days exercises were concluded with
q grand ball at the arHory. and. the public
speakers addressed asRepuolican meeting
at the courthouse.