Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1894-01-06
EMANCIPATION CELEBRATION at
NEWPORT NEWS.
A Grand Parade-Large CrOMd-Edi-
tor Mitchell Speaks to n Packed
HOuSe-LaWyer Fields Follows
-UnbOunded Enthusiasm.

NEWPORT News, Jan. 1, '94.-The
celebration Of the Emancipation !
Proclamation took place here to-day
and was a grand affair
1t was under the auspices of the
Emancipation Club James 81. Lee.
president: Rev. W II. Dixon, aecre-
tary; Executive Committee Retter
Allen, L. +. BcaxtOn, Rev. J. +.
Jones, J. 81. Williams, A. Bannister
and 5. NJ. Travis.
The. line OF march formed on the
corner of Jefferson Avenue and 23rd
street. Promptly at - O'Clock the
procession stagted. 1t was headed
Oy the brass hand from Portsmouth,
Va. 1t discoursed lively airs and
with the attractive uniforms was
much admired
The following organizations parti-
cipated Ponce DeLeon Lodge,
1927, G.. u. O. OF. o. T., Damon
Lodge, No. IL. <. Of p, New Light
Lodge, No. $50, True Reforr~~ 4, st.
Johns Tabernacle, No.15=s, uaslis al
Fishermen, Blooming Star Lodge,
No. 436. True Reformers, West
Point, Va, Zouaves, Capt. G. a..
Clark, commanding, Jones Cadets,
James Taylor, captain L. p. League,
Goddess of Liberty.
The principal streets were paraded.
The zouaves from West Point, at
tired In their red caps, blouses and
red pants, Capt. Charles II. Clark,
commanding, were the subjects oi
many congratulations. Their ma,
neuvers were very fine and theil
commanding officer need feel proud
A detail OF mounted horsemen pre-
ceded the procession.
b. Morrick Chief Marshal, Roberf
Rogers, first lieutenant; w. II
Grant, second lieutenant; M. Jack
son, assistant marshal; Aids, ID. NJ
Gaines, z. Roane; j. G. Harris, bu
gler; p. Woodson, chairman Financ
Committee.
Upon the return, the exercises wer
held IN the First Baptist Church, th
popular Rev. w. ii. Dixon, pastor
Devotional exercises were conduct
ed by Rev. G. I. Jones, chaplain.
The Emancipation ProclamatioI
was read by Mrs. Eliza Dixon.
The poem, by Mrs. Amanda
Clarke was very fine. Her deliver
was excellent
The orator for the occasion wa
Mr.. John Mitchell, Jr., editor OF tn
PLANET, and member of the Rich
mond, Va, Board of Aldermen.
he received a hattering welcom
and spoke for an hour elicitiDg rap
urous applause. he traced the hiI
tory of the Negro from 1920 dow
to the present time, declaring ths
through all their vicissitudes til
Negro was the best friend the whit
man ever .had.
de made an appeal for equal right
and declared that there was no de
sire for social equality.
lie urged bis hearers Co be trul
emancipated, live sober, industri
Gus, honest and moral lives. he b.
eeeched them to save their none
and buy lano. he condemned lyncl
law aud lawleesness In all of Il
forms and made Il powerful appei
in behalf OF the Negro
The progress OF the Negro was re
viewed by Capt. James a. Field, e,
Commonwealth Attorney. he tol
of the achievements Of the race, cite
living examples OF the truth b
words contained and made q mos
excellent showing for the race Wit
which he isidentified.
Editor Mitchell dined with Re-
". III. Dixon and left at 4:35 p. Il
for Richmond.
He was hooked tospeak at Eaml
ton but his letter stating his inabil
ty TO speak there seems to have mi
carried and was returned to him 1
Richmond by the Post Office al
thorities.