The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-09-23
CELEBRATE THE EVENT
INDIANAPOLIS COLORED PEOPLE OBJ
SERVE EMANCIPATION DAY.
Hundreds Attend the Exercises at
BrightwOOd-Speech by Mayor
Taggart and w. n. Harding.

Emancipation day was celebrated yester-
| day with an old-time barbecue and patriotic
! addresses in the grove on Division street,
between Austin and Wavery streets, in
| Brightwood, by the colored people of the
city and vicinity. One of the features of
the occasion was the cooking of a sheep
and hog in old barbecue style over a pit
filled with hot embers. Supper was served
by the women from o. clock on and all who
wished to partake of the good things could
do so for the small sum of 20 cents. The
proceeds are to be divided between the
Mount Carmel and New Bethel Churches
| There We're present about one hundred peo-
pie at 3:45 o'clock in the afternoon, when
q. l.. Davis asked for the attention of
those assembled under the canopy which
had been erected to shelter the speakers
He spoke to them briefly about the mean
ing of the day and of the gratitude the
negro ought to feel for Abraham Lincoln,
the author of the emancipation proclama-
ton. Mayor Taggart was introduced and
delivered a brief address, consisting of gen
eral remarks regarding the cause and oc-
caSion of the celebration. In the absence
of Rev. Mr.. White and Elder Farrell, who
were to have addressed the people, G. l..
Davis delivered a patriotic and stirring
speech in behalf of the negro race He
dwelt upon its progress during the last
thirty years, spoke of the scourge of
slavery, and, in part, said: 'Our purpose
is to tell the negro how he came to be
what he is; how he secured his freedom
and how the race has managed to progress
as far as it has" He spoke of the bondage
of their ancestors, their trials and mis-
treatment during slavery their emancipa-
ton and struggle for existence after the
war had closed. Our white brothers are
better American citizens than we" he said
because their progress has been going on
in this country for the last 40 years, while
ours has been only the progress of thirty
years. We will be better citizens if we are
only given chance. As a race we want
equal protection and equal rights as citi-
zens- You never heard of a negro entering
a mob, you never him with the laWless
rioters. AS for his record as a soldier Won
nave only 10 turn TO the pages of history
Tor that. To-day you find members of the
race nigh up in the scale of intellectuality
you ma them high up in the scale of NOR
ailty, and you md them high up in the
scale OF lie. Their progress during the last
thirty years has been such as the Greeks
were TWO hundred years striving after"
THE NEGRO AFTER THE WAR
Rev. c. II. Duvall, of Franklin, Ind, also
spoke briefly. He likened the condition Of
the negro Immediately after the civil war
to the body of a butterfly struggling in
the aust after its wings had been ruth
Iessly pulled out. He scorched Senator
vest Tor proposing q colonization scheme
TO get rid OF the negroes. in 1892. and i'm ref
utatlon OF one of the senator's allegations
SAID that before negro would lramn and
Deg over the country he would steal chick
ems. ia Ni'1NN
In the evening the grove and interior If
the tent was illuminated with fambeanx
and the crowd in attendance WIS deci1
eGly greater than that of the aftarnod,l
There were many white people present ana
at o clock, when the speakers OF the e,,an
ing appeared, about one thousand naonIo
were massed inside and around the ~
that sheltered the speakers. c. L. Davis
made a few brief opening remarks in ex
dueed Rev James Moulton, of the Antioeh
Baptist Church, of this city. Mr. Monl
ton led the cOlored people in an old patri
archal song sung by them in the South
1t started with the line: Il am not afraid
to own my Lord Each line was fsrSt
sung by Mr. Moulton and then repeated bv
those assembled. Prayer was offered by
Rev. Mr. Duvall. Mr.. Davis then arose 10
introduce the next speaker, whom he pre-
sented in original manner He said.
This afternoon introduced to you
Thomas Taggart He is a gentleman, and
told you a great man. He is great man
because he is mayor of Indianapolis To-
hlght nave the honor of Introducing 10
you greater man than Thomas 'raggart
He Is greater than Thomas Ia ggart be-
cause he viii succeed Thomas Taeuart az
mayor Or indianapolis. and that man IS
named Newton Harding"
As Dir. Harding arose TO ACKNOWLEDGE the
introduction hundreds OF handkerchiefs
nuttered above the heads of-the spectators