Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1895-03-08
DOUGLASS MEMORIAL.

Chairman r. n. Hyde called the
meeting to order in Grant club rooms
at the appointed hour. The American
flag decorated the hall in profuson and
large picture of the lamented Freder-
lex Douglass was in prominent view.
Prayer was offered by Rev. Mr.. Clark,
of the A. NJ. E. church, after which the
choir sang song. The vice presidents
| on the platform We're: j. Fl. Shepard.
T. E. Barton, H. II, Lewis, J. NJ. Ruff,
T. A. Clark, jeff Logan, w. M. Coal
son and j. D. Reeler. After a few re
marks by the chairman, Edward Will
| lett delivered the opening address. His
! remarks We're to the point and very APP
propriate. Among other things. he
said that not since the death of Lincoln
had death robbed the Afro-AmericaD of
so near friend and advocate. Doug,
| lass life was one of unselfshness and
devotion to principle. A diplomat.
statesman and philanthroplst, he is
incurred by a nation. Washington
i was the father of his country, and
Douglass was the Afro-American father
of freedom. Mr. Willett has an ex-
cellent flow of language, a good voice
and good nowledge of how to pre-
sent subject to an audience. He just
! ~ received many compliments from
the audience and those who followed
him on the rostrum.
Hon. Owen Bromley spoke of Mr..
Douglass from knowledge of forty
years standing. and he contended that
the white citizens of America, as well
as the black, owed Douglass debt of
gratitude. Mr.. Bromley recited many
incidents of anti-bellum days to show
the power of the ex-slave leader. One
secret Of the success of Douglass was
that he took hold of a subject that at
fected the welfare of American citizens
4 and believed in it. Mr. Bromley is a
close observer of events and history,
and added much to the interest of the
meeting.
Mr. F1rmin Brown read a very
interesting paper on the life, work
and deeds of Frederick Douglass. 1t
was a scholarly production and was ap-
preciated by the audience. 1t is graft
flying to note the fact that the young
men are growing in breadth and scope
of knowledge.
Rev Mr.. Taft, of Humboldt, knew
Mr.. Douglass in the sos was, IN fact,
intimately acquainted with him. Mr..
: Taft came to the meeting at the sol CT
:. tation Of Gen. Ed. Wright, who could
not be present. Mr. Taft recited many
incidents of personal recollection, and
spoke with an interest and fervor that
was manifest to the attentive audience
which listened to his remarks.
. Hon LATE Young was the last speaker
of the evening. He has never failed tc
respond to the call of the Afro-Ameri
! cans when they needed words of cheer
words of advice or words of coincidence
/. When the true tried friend of the Afro
5 American, Benjamin F. Butler, died
: Mr.. Young preceded his audience al thu
A. NJ. T. church and delivered an ex
h celient address on the character ant
h life of Butler He responded witt
e equal alacrity on this occasion. Hi
y remarks were well directed on this &C
Q casion, as usual. He pointed to tn
4 fact that back of the long life of Fred
erick Douglass there was the wor
Character. This one word ruled hi
: life. The results are evident and OF
vious. Mr.. Young called attention t
the fact that the Afro-Americans ca
: really count but thirty-two years G
= life, and that the advancement accom-
plished by them was notable. lndu:
try, ambition, unselfsh devotion t
principle, courage and character, Nh
t Young said, were the ingredients Nj
l. Douglass had for his capital and the
e were good enough for any of the youn
IS men of to-day. Mr. Young's addres
:. was well received, and many youn
&c men went away with the best adyie
d for the future.