Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-01-08
AFFAIRS IN EXAM DRlA
COLORED PEOPLE CELEBRATE
EMANCIPATION ANNIVERSARY.
Letter Read From Commissioner Mac
fariand of the District-General
and Personal News.
Evening Star Bureau.
No. 701 King Street.
Bell Telephone No. Jog.

l
| ALEXANDRIA. Va, January 8. 1901.
| gathering of representative colored
| people of this city was held last night In
| the chapel of the John Hay Normal and
| Industrial School in observance Of the
| thirty-eighth anniversary of the emancipa-
| ton proclamation. 1t had been previously
| arranged to hold the meeting at Roberts
| Chapel New Year evening, but this plan
| was abandoned Magnus L. Robinson pre-
| sided and introduced the subject of the
| evening. He spoke of the associations con-
| nected with gathering held in a hall that
was named in honor of Col. John Hay, who,
the speaker declared, was intimately asso-
ciated with President Lincoln.
Joseph Miller of Cumberland, Nd, was
next introduced. He spoke at length on
the subject of the political freedom of the
negro race. and his remarks met with APP
plause. William A. Carter of this city
| read the emancipation edict. Following
the reading he made a speech favoring
bers of his race. The Oriole Glee Club OF
Baltimore enlivened the occasion by Well
rendered music.
The following who were invited sent let
tiers of regret: Commissioner Henry 3. +.
Macfarland, president of the District Oh
Columbia board of Commissioners; George
B. Cortelyou. secretary to the President;
George H. White, colored, and others.
Mr.. Macfa rland's Letter.
Commissioner Netherlands letter was,
in part, as follows:
Il have your courteous invitation to par
ticipate in the celebration of the thirty
eighth anniversary of President Lincoln's
emancipation proclamation Tuesday next at
Roberts Chapel, M. E. Church, and regret
that engagements will prevent my accept
ance You do we'll to celebrate every ami
versary of that great act. perhaps the
greatest in our history, and probably the
one that will be longest remembered. Lin
coin is known to the world as the emanci-
pator or the lberator, and he can have no
prouder title. To lift a race out of slavery,
with all it's degradations and demorallza-
tons. and to give 100000 of human beings
freedom, with all its opportunities and
blessings, is enough to immortalize any
man. What Lincoln did, under great OPP
position and against violent protest, is rec
ognized by all Intelligent people everywhere
not only as right. but as the best thing that
could have been done for the whites as we'll
the blacks. Leading men of the south
testify, from time to time, the appreciation
of that section of the beneficent effect upon
it of the abolition of slavery and of the fact
that the emancipation proclamation really
liberated not only the negro, but the white
man from the slavery of a system which re-
tarded development and deprived the south
of material success, while it unfavorably
affected it's moral welfare and intellectual
progress.
',The progress made by the colored peo-
pie in the past thirty years has been I'M
precedented in comparison with other SINH
lar cases. All friends Of your race
watch with solicitous interest every effort
you make in this direction and hope that
you may take no backward steps"
Confederate Veterans Meet.
The regular monthly meeting of R. E.
Lee Camp, Confederate Veterans, was held
last night in the camp hail. corner of Prince
and Duke streets. An application for men,
bership was received from DR.. John S.
Powell of Occoauan, Va, and the applicant
admitted by unanimous vote. The commit
tee appointed to have charge OF the prepa-
ra tons for the observance of General Lees
birthday the 10Th instant, reported that Ia
vorable progress had been made.
= Nuptial Ceremony.
A marriage of interest to the society peo-
pie of this city took place in Charlottesville
a noon today, when Mrs Mary McNeale of
that place became the bride of Mr.. Lewis
E. Smoot, formerly of this city, but now of
Washington. The groom is the eldest sou
Of Mr.. William A. Smoot of this city.
Among those from Alexandria who attend
ed the ceremony were Mr.. and Mrs William
A. Smoot, Mr.. and Mrs. William A. Smoot,
jr., and Mrs. R. w. Fuller.
General Matters.
The officers elected at a recent meeting Of
be installed this evening with the usual
ceremonies at Odd Fellows Hall, on North
Columbus street. After the installation ex-
ercises a banquet will be held and num-
Der Of prominent guests are expected.
The city council will meet this evening
for the first time since the holidays. 1t is
understood that large volume of business
of local interest will be transacted.
The January session Of the United States
court for the eastern district of Virginia
Judge Edmund Waddill presiding, opened
in this city this morning. A grand jury
was sworn and will investigate during the
session a number Of cases for violation of
the pension, postal and liquor laws.
In the police court this morning George
Elliott was assessed $3.50 by Mayor Simp
son for being drunk and disorderly. James
Roberts, charged with stealing S. from
Rose Moore, forfeited So collateral by non
appearance.
Police Sergt. James Smith is confined to
his home on North Fayette street by Sc
we're attack of grin.