Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1897-01-16
EMANCIPATION DAY.
Williamsburg Ablazs with Patriotism
A Brilliant OlStinn and Other Excel-
lent Speeches.


In company with Alderman Henry ]. |
Moore we boarded the @ 4 o. train |
Thursday at $3.50 p. m, December
3lst, where we met Rev. j. w. Kirby, |
Rev. George Reid and wife.
Prof. j. Hugo Johnson, president OF
Normal School, Petersburg. with his
excellent basl were also enroute to
AXE part in the exer -isRs. The histor
ic city of williamsburg was reached
at 8 :05 p. m.
We were met by Mr. Samuel Harris,
Sr, the enterprising and successtul
merchant, also his son, DR.. 5. Harris,
Jr. We we're soon seated in his
iouble-drsg. and after . delightful
drive reached his beautiful home.
where the largest business house IN
the state is conducted by colored
man
A cordial greeting was extended by
his amiable wife and charming da0gh-
| ter.
After delightful supper and q short
walk. we entered their cosy parlor
where an exchange of social thoughts
were pleasantly enjoyed
The next morning, Friday, January
4 1st, Emancipation Day) came and
with it, the soft sunbeams from
clear sky which was hailed with de-
light.
From the city and surrounding sec
tions the crowd began to gather,
adorned with holiday dress.
In front of the store of Mr.. Samuel
Harris, while from the piazza OF his
residence the band from the Normal
| school played several excellent pieces.
The citizens calvary Of nearly 90
pieces led by MR. Samuel Harris was
one OF the main features. There were
little and big horses, some praacinl
and some more dignified, all trimmed
| with red, white and blue. and with the
marshal made beautiful sight, bott
Impressive and inspiring.
At II O'Clock the line was formed
lied by the citizens calvary and the
Normal School Band the carriage
| containing the following visitors:
Alderman Henry J. Moore of Rich
| mond, President J Hugo johnson
J Petersburg, Rev J. Dossey De Sam
uel Harris, Messrs. Hilton and CAnad,
3 of williamsburg, also Lawyer T. I
Walker of Gloucester, orator OF tn
dag followed in a carriage, while
Elarge number was on foot.
4 great crowd followed the process
! sion, inSpired by the sweet strains
y | martial music.
Q Several aged brothers and sister
5were 80 full of patriotism and musi
every now and then they would he'
and toe little (two step the churc
Notwithstanding.
After the mapch, the crowd entere
Is the spacious auditorium OF the Secon
l. Baptist Church. Rev L. W. Vale
pastor. On the platform were Lawy'
a T. @. Walker, orator, Reverends J a
i Dorsey, G 8 Boston. r Beecher Ia.
q lor, Prof. J. Hugo Johnson, DIR Samu
~ Harris. Jr., and Mr.. Samuel Harri
to Sr.. president OF the EmancipatiC
Sc COMMITTEES and chairman OF the NEE
, ling and Mr.. Canady
d The band occupied the choir gAilel
and discoursed sweet music during t.
-e exercises
IN ReV.J. Dorsey offered prayer. 4
ter a few appropriate remarks by q
=. Ichairman, Mr. Samuel T. Harris,
introduced the orator OF the day, La
o. yer T @. Walker, who delivered
p masterly addFe9s. both patriotic a
Ia practically instructive.
te Prof J. Hugo johnson, Rev,
Beecher Taylor, DIR Samuel Harr
OF Jr. were called and they respond
lls with short speeches, 'congFaCulatl
the success of the celebration ana {
sW gratitude manifested.
ne DR.. Harris was especially applaud
at being one of the citizens OF William
nd burg and recent graduate OF Hal
'r- ard COLLEGE, as a specialist on the e
ear and nose
ch The meeting then adjogrned vi
co many happy recollections for Remor
49,, hall.