The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-01-03

column as it proceeded from the rendez-
vous on the march through the city. The
ranks were well filled, the soldiers having
apparently brushed up for the occasion,
and the display was one that reflected
credit on the military and those in COM
mand
The parade was through the principal
streets of the city, winding up at the Park
extension, where it was intended 60 have
the speaking. On account Of the cold
weather, however, it was decided to hold
the services in doors, and for this purpose
the people went 10 the First African Bap-
fist Church. where the ceremonies were
concluded.
Rev. Alexander Harris, pastor of the
First Bryan Baptist Church and
pres dent OF the Emancipation Association,
presided during the opening OF the exer-
cises. The congregation sang My Coun-
try, tbs of Thee" after which Rev l..
II. Smith took charge as permanent mas
ter of ceremonies. Rev L. H. Whtmre
offered prayer, and then came the usual
reading of the emancipation proclamation
by Rev John Whitaker a feature which
is never departed from. Following this
was the address by Rev. John d. Gordon,
who made a practical talk lasting about
an hour
In opening his remarks Rev Gordon
spoke of the day and its significance 10
the colored people throughout the land.
He said the proclamation was the climax
of a fight that had been Waged for years,
and that it brought to the colored, the
dawn of a brighter and more prosperous
era than they had ever enjoyed. 1t
marked the opening of possibilities to
their elevation higher than any had ever
dreamed Df FTbgf gH4E mi ebOpv their
fullest appreciation of the work done for
them, he said, the colored people should
make the best of the chances the procla-
nation afforded them as free men.
Emancipation day is nol different from
all Others" the speaker said. 1T is after
the fashion of other days which are cele-
brated IN concentration of great and
important events. aAH. countTlesAhave days
they celebrate some of which pertain 10
the whole people, while others are of an
exclusive nature Emancipation day ap-
peals to the sympathies of the colored
people throughout the United States,
marks the beginning of an epoch in their
prosperity, and for that reason is relg-
iously observed"
Rev. Gordon next touched upon the race
troubles. This government he said, has
just concluded a war in Cuba that justice
might be done the outraged people of the
ton should be directed to this country,
and that the government should protect
colcTeG people against lynching, unt} they
HAD been tried and properly convicted. lie
referred to the large number of lynchings
in the South, and said the practice was
an injustice equal TO that which had been
imposed upon the people of Cuba by the
Spaniards The government should take
the matter UP he said, and furnish protec-
ton to all taken into legal custody until
they had received a fair and impartial
trial of the charges against them.
But the burden of stopping this evil
falls mostly upon the colored people them
selves" added Rev. Gordon One Of she
best ways to stop il is TO educate the race
against crime. When this is done there
viii be no reason for calling upon the gov
eminent to protect us, as all viii be law
abiding citizens, and not continually ar
raigned as prisoners at the bar"