The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-09-05

the G. A. R., United States senator,
a general Of the Federal army and
many other equally distinguished WIS.,
itors.
It was In opening the camp fire that
Maj. Wilkinson uttered the words
quoted, forming as they did the key
note Of the entire meeting. The natural
fervor and enthusiasm Of the colored
race permeated 1t. Were they not free
American citizens and extolling their
saviors?
1.-THE greatest hero of the nineteenth
century, as one speaker charac
terized him, was in whose honor
the campfire was dedicated,
whose old pike was clasped In the
hands Of it's chairman.
Mrs. r. G. Minor. sang and Senator
Cushman X Davis was introduced. In
brief, he said: II am deeply impressed
with the cardinal thought which con-
vened this assembly No man presumed
to doubt the valor of the colored soldier
Their faces were upturned to heaven
from many a battle field. At Fort
Wagner and Port Hudson, they went
to the gates of hell, into the jaws Of
death. How does he stand today? What
Is his position? He stands for the soil
dfty Of government and patriotic loyal
ty. There are no nihilists, no strikers
among them. Their dark faces are In
the front of no rebellion or riot. AS
an element of military stability, they
are Of inestimableli Importance. There
are 100000 colored smen ready for any
exigency Of war. ss ssw .ssr-
AT John Browns death, In the midst
of calumny, they saw, the dying man,
but not the great angel Of redemption,
who made them free pas citizens and
soldiers. Short in time, but endless in
eternity was his life. 81 His tomb is as
well known as any. Dead though he
may be, his spirit speaketh and his
soul marches on forever. Wherever
freedom is known his name is rev.
erenced, not only to the emulation Of
the race he freed, 7but to the race he
belonged to-" p
The next speaker was Hon. John M
Langston, of Virginia, who. is a.
veteran. He was formerly dean of the
Harvard law school and later mem
Der of congress. He spoke eIoquently
at some length, with frequent illusions
to Mckinley, which were received with
cheers.
Prof. Lucas chorus sang a splendid
vocal selection and then Mai. Wilkin-
son introduced Chief
Clarkson. He was not on the pro-
gramme and had come in almost un-
observed. Cheers rent the air and when
the commander was able to speak he
said THE horrors of a Southern
prison were mine. / crept through the
lines one night and through swamps
and forests, the dark faces and the
loyal hearts of the colored people help
ed me on. (Cheers.) They would carry
me to avoid the tracks for bloodhounds
to follow. They saved my life and
tonight 1 thank you in behalf Of the
race In conclusion he exclaimed
fervently: II wish you to support me
during the cares and responsibilities of
the coming years. I will need your
help, owe will do it, I'VE will do it."
the South and I will tell your relatives
and your friends of your promise /
Will tell them of your. splendid hospital
fty which you have shown me-" Much
applause.
General Clarkson greeted the senti-
ment motioned to the leader of the
glee club and the singers stood with
him on the PLATFORM 1--WE will all
and the audience of one accord rose
and Joined in the song they love so
well. At this moment the piercing rays
of the Sixth street. search light filled
the room, shining intos the face of the
commander, and to. the upturned coun-
tenances of the freedmen it gave an
expression Of superstttious awe, as If
it were benedfHfen from above, a
message from the Split world
Col. j. H. LewisS of New Orleans, a
colored orator of much eloquence, held
the attention of the aiidience for some
time, and then Hon. Moses E. Clapp
was received with cheers He was
warmly applauded Among other
things he said:
While the page of history teens with the
7ames of kings and conquerors yet God in
His infinite wisdom. the instrumentalities
by which to lift and advance the human race
has almost invariably selected the Iowly and
he humble Tonight, in. the ranks of the
departed great, dwells the spirit of John
Brown; from humble obscurity he has been
rsRsplanted to the realm of the iilustrious