Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1898-08-12

at the beautiful Hubinger Park. Th'
day was beautiful and typical one
all that man could hope for; as the rail-
two days previous laid the dust, so tina
nature seemed to arrange everything
for the enjoyment of the people
Everything was successful and highly
satisfactorily, except the failure OF
larg crowd from other towns to put II
their appearance which was due to the
railroads in failing to grant specia
rates as promised, yet those that were
present were highly gratified at the en-
ter,ainment, and spoke in compliment
ary terms of tho manner in which the
local committee provided amusements
for the day. The committees are as
follows:
Executive committe-W. II Jones.
Rev. W. L. Helm, Frank Fields. Rev.
Il. H. Phillips Rev. j. W. Muse, r.
Krys, Rev. &. G. Middletown, VIM
Mott, Orang Fields, Chas. s. sager' Rev
G.. NJ. Tlllman, Alonzo Draine, "A. "A.
Bland, f. D. Bland, W. c. Buckner, d.
W. Draine, George L. kendrick.
Reception committee-Dan Anderson
Thurman, Ed. Martin, Archie Washing
ton Hamilton Woodard, Emanual
Aiken, John Smith, Selby johnson, T..
w. Foster. Homer ones, Albert Fields
w, l.. Green, Emanuel Proctor, Adol-
phus Fossey, Mrs. W. E. Helem' Mrs.
w. II. Jones, Mrs. G. NJ. Tillman, Miss
Narcissa Phillips, Mrs. French Bland
Miss Ella Drnine, Miss Lena Torey.
w, IL. Jones, president; Orange
Fields, vice president; Alonzo Draine
secretary; w. c. Buckner, chief mar
shall of the day; Il. Krys, assistant
marshal; w. E. Helm, master OF cere'
monies; Chas. S. Sager, corresponding
secretary and general manager.
The morning was devoted to the re-
ception of visitors and viewing the var
ious points of interest about the city.
Shortly afternoon the parade formed
on Sixth and Blondeau streets and,
headed by the celebrated Colfax band'
marched out Blondeau to Twelfth,
d own Twelfth to Main and down Main
to the Curtis statue. where the parade
Dinner was served by the
ladies Of the Bethel A. NJ u. church,
Episcopal, Pilgrims Rest and seventh
Street Baptist churches. Street cars
were than taken to uubinger Park,
where the afternoon exercises were
held.
At Hubinger Park,
The exercises at Hubinger Park were
we'll attended. The platform had been
erected in the center OF the amphl'
theater and was occupied by prominent
citizens of both races. The stand was
well filled and the closest attention was
paid the various speakers.
Rev. Helm called the meeting to ord
er and announced the object to be the
celebration of the sixty-fourth anni-
vcrsary of the emancipation Of the
slaves of the West India islands. He
announced as the opening number "My
Country, 'Tis of Thee" led by Chas. 5.
Saqer. This was sung by the audience
standing. Rev. G, G. Middleton of st.
Mary's Episcopal church rendered
thanks to the Almighty for the freedom
of all people in this country and for
other blessings. He invoked the divine
blessing upon the exercises OF the Day
The audience then Joined in singing
Nearer My God to Thee
Mayor j. L. Root then delivered the
address of welcome. lie said it was
pleasant duty and that he welcomed al
to the Gate City, not only OF Iowa, but
of the preat golden west. He said, 81
have had the pleasure OF making sucf
addresses on numerous occasions
While the attendance to-day is not q
it might have been, yet it is represen
tative of the finest intelligence of th'
African race. l welcome you to th'
city that in the last year has sent ou
the flower of its young manhood /!
answer to the call of humanity; the cit!
that in 1861 sent out SO many brav
bows that we couldn't organize volun
teer fire company with what were LETT
They went out in answer to the call o
tha Qrandest man this country eve
saw-Abraham Lincoln We hav
local attractions and we welcome yo'
to them, our parks, cemeteries mr.
stations and other places. Pm sorry
can't offer you the key to the city, ou
it was purposely mislaid last night 81
ter all doors had been unlocked. The
swing both ways and if you don't Sc
what YOU desire, ask for it. Again
| welcome you in the name OF the city
Rev. Helm replied and thanked tn
mavor for his cordial welcome. II
thanked other citizens for their aid an
nresence. He stated that throug
some misunderstanding the railroad
had not granted tle rates that the
believed would be granted. He spoA
Of the wonderful progress OF the Negr'
and said he is the coming man and it