The news & observer., 1905-01-04
NEGROES MEET
AND CELEBRATE
Emancipation Day is OBJ
served in Raleigh.
INV Ann AMT
JOY AND COMPLAINT
Rejoice Over Progress of Race and
Attitude of President Roosevelt.
Complaint Of lin Crow Law,
Grandfather Election
Law.

Filled to its capacity, both as to
seats and standing room Metropolitan
Hall was yesterday the meeting place
at which the Negroes of Raleigh met
TO celebrate Emancipation Day. Ne
groes of all classes were there.
Before the meeting there was a
parade of marshals. speakers and
officers, this passing from Washing
ton school house to the hall The
marshals We're on horseback and pre-
sented gala appearance, their re-
gala being of bright colors.
III the hall the exercises consisted
of songs. a poem. reading of the
proclamation. series of resolutions,
an Grafton and the election of officers.
The resolutions, presented by James
II. Young and the grafton by E. A.
Johnson, were pitched upon the same
key and both were applauded.
In both of these the advance made
by the Negro since freedom came to
him forty-tWo years ago was COM
mented upon and he was urged to go
forward. to improve himself, to work
to study and to avoid crime. The
tone in this regard was high and was
in excellent taste.
But in other parts of both reso-
of complaint and of bitterness The
oration in these respects was in OPP
position to the "Jim Crow law and
with it the resolutions opposed the
Constitutional Amendment of North
Carolina, the right of every citizen to
vote being endorsed and to the edu-
cational facilities given to the ne
groes, the school fund which is now
given being referred to as small
stipened" less than the negroes pro-
portionate share. while Governor Ay-
cocks position towards general edu-
cation was referred to as being taken
over strong opposition.
The attitude of President Roose.
Welt towards the Negro was endorsed
and in his remarks James III. Young
declared North Carolina to be the
State in which the best relations ex-
listed between the races, with Raleigh
as the best city in the State. Appre
ciation was expressed of the States
stand for universal education, ne
gro reformatory was asked for.
In his criticism of the Jim crow
law, the election law and the schoo
appropriations, Young emphasized
these by second reading, calling par
ticular attention to them. Listen tC
this he would exclaim. 1t was
noticeable that these sentiments drew
the greatest applause, and that ex
'em all about it." That's right,
Come on with it, the audience ex
pressed it's approval. The resolutions
were adopted by a rising vote.
After singing the Star Spangle'
Banner and being led in prayer by
w. NJ. Nixon at the opening of the ex
ercises the president w. M. Grave
was introduced by H. S. Christmas
In his remarks he gave some whole
some advice. picturing the Negro
future as bright if he would have {
high aim, and speaking for goot
feeling between the races.
The Shaw Quartette then sang ant
a collection was taken to detray ex
penses. After this the Battle Hymn
of the Republic was sung and Jane;
II. Young reported the following 'Ad
dress which was adopted by a risint
vote.
The Resolutions.
The following resolves are sc
forth, as shown in this synopsis.
L. This shows the growth and al
vancement of the negro in forty-tW'
years and this is claimed as showing
his fitness for the privileges of ful
pledged citizen.
2. This advocates the religion o
Christ for all as the true solution o
the race problem.
g. This expresses appreciation o
the States position on universal ed
ucation and that as reports show
that the Negroes pay in taxes an
fines about all money received by
them from the public treasury 10
educational purposes there is no nee'
for the enacting of the Vardamal
plan for division of the school fun'
and especially since the practical op
Grafton of the present school law $
unobservedly and effectually accom-