Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-04-17
SENATOR MAsON's ADDRESS,.
Was Principal Speaker MT Emancipa-
tfOn Celebration.

hOn SeIeDratiOn.
Senator William Z. Mason of Illinois was
the principal speaker at the gathering of
colored people yesterday afternoon in the
Vermont Avenue Baptist Church at $3.50
o'clock The meeting was a feature of the
celebration Of Emancipation day by the
| colored people of the District. Rev. George
W. Lee, pastor Of the church. delivered the
address of welcome. Jesse Lawson chair
man of the subcommittee of the National
Afro-American Council, presided, and in
introducing Senator Mason referred proud
ly to the record of the cclored race since its
day of freedom.
Senator Mason paid tribute to the MEM
cries of Lincoln and Grant, and compli-
mented the colorsd race upon its advance
ment. He aroused much enthusiasm among
his hearers by roundly denouncing what he
termed Glass legislation in the SOUTH He
also spoke with feeling regarding the lynch
ing and burning of negroes, without justice
being melted out to the people who take the
law in their own hands.
Representative White of North Carolina
was one of the prominent speakers of the
afternoon. He spoke of the issues con-
fronting his race, and declared their solu-
ton depended largely upon the colored peo-
pie themselves He advised thrift on the
part of his people, the acquiring of prop
erty and the accomplishing in good style
of whatever duty was assigned them. With
their trust placed in God, he said, and the
klloWleOSe OF the TACT mat the government
no longer looks upon the black man as q
ward, from now on what the race hopes to
accomplish must come from the negro him
self
The ceremonies yesterday were declared
to be a decided success in every way. They
were under the auspices of the Lincoln
Emancipation League, with James w. Poe
as president and j. ". Coles as secretary
The league gave much of its time to ar
ranging for the ceremonies at Vermont
Avenue Church.
1t was after o'clock when the officer of
the day reached the White House. The mil
itary and civic organizations in line follow
ed, passing in review before the President
whom they cheered as they passed. The
parade was regarded as the most orderly
for years.
From the White House most of the or
CARNATIONS marched to the church, where
the speaking was to take place. A large
crowd had gathered here and the edifice
was soon crowded with people A little
confusion among the managers occurred at
the church. President Poe had sent COM
mittee with decorated carriage to the
Capitol for Senator Mason, but for some
reason 1t failed to get there time and
the senator was brought in another carriage
by the master of ceremonies and another
committee. When the first committee final
ly returned to the church the members
found the senator in the midst of his ora
ton.
1t was 2:i5 o'clock when President Poe
raped for order. Rev. Geo. W. Lee delv-
cred the invocation, and Mr.. Poe made an
address prior to introducing the presiding
officer.
Seated on the platform We're Senator
Mason of Illinois, Representative George
H. White of the second congressional dis
trict of North Carolina, Mr.. c. j. Jones of
Mississippi. the president of the day, Jas.
w. Poe; E. NJ. Hewlett of the District bar,
Col. Perry H. Carson. Prof ]. w. Coles
secretary of the day; Prof; Jesse Lawson,
master of ceremonies. At $50 Rev. W. ].
Howard. chaplain of the day, delivered the
benediction and the meeting adjourned with
many expressions of satisfaction with the
work Of the league.