Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1892-10-06
COLUMBUS DAY PARADE.
No Colored People VIII be Allowed
to Participate.

wednesdays session OF Jne general
committee on Columbus Day celebra-
tion seemingly was harmonious, but be-
meath the surface there burned a fierce
volcano, which was held in check with
the utmost difficulty. A desire to not
cause a tumult was the only thing
which prevented an eruption, Sumner
Post, q. A. r., colorcd. sent unsolicited
two representatives They were cour-
teously received and when they asked
that their post be assigned place in the
Columbus Day parade no objection was
offered, but there was mighty lot of
thinking. On motion of Grand Army
representative it was unanimously
agreed to invite Sumner Post to partici-
pate Subsequently it was decided to
not permit any other colored organiza-
tion to take part.
The volcano burst forth after the gem
eral committee had adjourned. Then it
was made known that three societies
which had accepted invitations and
which were expected to be represented
by about 1900 men most likely would
not participate. These societies are the
knights of Pythias, the Improved Order
of Red Men, and the Knights of the
Golden Eagle. Representatives from
these organizations said they would
suggest to their orders to not particl-
pate. The condition of affairs had he
come extremely grave. There had
arisen the question, which would be the
better, to admit to the parade 40 colored
men or lose 1900 white men. The
executive committee heard the discus
sion, and concluded immediate action
was necessary. A meeting of the COM
mittee was called at once, and it was
decided to send the following to Sumner
| Post Thursday:
TO Swmner POST G. 4. r.; At meeting
! of the Columbus Day parade committee,
held last evening, your application to take
part was received and an invitation
granted. After some deliberation the
protests of several leading societies, num-
berlng. over 1000 men. compel us to recon-
slider the matter and no colored persons
will be allowed to take part. Hoping you
will accept this kindly and believing that
you have no desire to mar the success of
the demonstration remain respectfully,
Dir. JAMES MORGAN,
Chairman of the Executive Committee.
DR.. Morgan stated on Thursday that
the communication will come before
Sumner Post at its next meeting. He
had talked with several colored men, he
said, and they understand the situation
and do not want to parade under the
circumstances. They assured him that
the action of the committee is proper
and they do not feel hurt. A Catholic
informed him that if the colored men
were not excluded the Catholic repre-
sentation in the parade would only be
two-thirds of what it is expected to be.
Speaking to a representative of THE
| n m If mn "a
gentleman said it was effrontery. 1t
waited, he added, until after all the
other organizations had accepted inyi-
tations and then it applied for an invi-
tatiOn. Its application, he thought, was
made for political purposes. Had il ap-
piled some weeks ago several societies
would not have accepted invitations.
Many of them had hired bands and
gone to considerable other expense, but
despite this outlay they would not
parade had the colored men not
been excluded. He accused the post
Of doing the same thing on the occasion
of the last Memorial Day parade. 1t
waited, he asserted, until the other
organizations had accepted invitations
and then II applied for an invitation.
The knights of Pythias, although averse
w SuhNidl pNldt'tst iGll uutltT ODllbullDU
to the Grand Army of the Republic be-
cause Of courtesics extended by it when
the knights of Pythias Hall was burned,
and accepted an invitation to take part
but the participation Of the colored
post caused the knights to be meagerly
represented. The Knights of Pythias,
Improved Order of Red Men and
Knights Of the Golden Eagle do not
! ,tsEn
knights Of Pythias learned that the
colored post was to participate in Me
mortal Day parade they desired to with
draw their acceptance, but decided to
strain point and some Of them paraded
in return for the kindness of the Grand
Army of the Republic.
Last weeks session of the general
committee ON Columbus Day cclebra-
ton was well attended. The following
route of parade was fixed Form on
Fourth street, the right resting on Pine
street, march along Fourth street to
French, thence to Front, to Market, to
Eleventh to West, to Seventh, to Wash
ington, to Fourth, to Harrison, counter
march to West, to Sixth, to Tatnall, to
seventh, to French and there dismiss.
The route covers G3 squares, of which
10 are paved with Vitriiied brick, AZ with
granite blocks and the remainder with
cobblc stones or arc without pavement.
The procession will move at > O'Clock,
in answer to signal from the city hall
striker.
The formation Of the parade will be
as follows:
Platoon of police.
Chief marshal and his aids.
FIRST DIVISION.
National Guard of Delaware,
Fife and drum corps.
Grand Army OF the Republic, posts.
Sons of Veterans.
600 grammar school boys.
SECOND DIVISION.
ltinggold Band.
Improved Order of Red Men, tribes.
llyatts Military Band.
Patriotic Order Of Sons Of America,
3 camps.
Washington Grays Band.
knights of Pythias, $ lodges.
Independent Order Of Odd Fellows.
THIRD DIVISION.
Weccacoe Legion Band.
Ancient Order United Workmen, one
Lodge.
Citizens Band.
Knights of the Golden Eagle, castles.
Fcrd Fullmer Chorus
Ancient Order Knights of the Mystic Chain,
one castle.
Wesley Zouaves.
FOURTH DIVISION.
Star Band.
German Societies.
Swedish Band.
Swedish Societies.