The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-01-03
NEGROES CELEBRATE
ANNIvEnsARY OF EMANCIPATI0N
 PROCLAMATION REINSTATEMENT.
James E. Welton Orator of Day, Ad- dressed Large Audiencc at Con- gregnttonal Church--Pro-
 fessor Patterson Also

With peaceful memories and order ly demonstrations. a large assemblage of the most intelligent negroes in Montgomery celebrated the forty-sec- ond anniversary of Abraham Lincolns Emancipation proclamation yesterday afternoon at the Congregational Church. corner of High and Union Streets.
 The program which lasted two hours consisted of an oration by Pro- lessor James D. Welton, of the State Normal School. many vocal selections by the church choir and short talks by volunteers.
 On account of professional business, Dr. s. H. Washington, president of the Montgomery Emancipation Proclama- E.tion Association was not present and his annual address was missed. Vice President E. M Dale occupied the chair.
 A traditional portion of the pro- gram. the reading of the Emancipa- ton Proclamation was done by Annie Can't. This was accompanied with great applause.
 Daisy Hill. of the State Normal School, rendered with deal of elo- cutionary power a recitation and later a poetic eulogy of Harriett Beecher Stowe.
 A significant feature of the audi ence yesterday was the sparse gray hairs. the hoary kinks that are the living reminders of the servitude from which they and their descendants were fred on January 1, 1863. A new generation was charged with the ac- tive part of the celebration. The things said by the speakers for the most part were sane and educating to the audience.
 Professor Welton spoke on "Eman- cipation as Seen by the Negro" He divided his subject on the basis of liberty opening the opportunity and necessity of education. capital and morality to the negro.
 The speaker exposed the fact clo- quently that his race is deficient in all these requisites. But he pointed out examples of attinments by ne- groes in each of them. This, he de- clared, proved the possibility within reach of the Afro-American.
 He admonished economy among the negroes, No matter If one earns $50 week or $1 q week, one should save part of 1t. This would solve the problem of capital.
 And until we gain some capital" said the orator of the day, i've will never command universal respect. The practice of saving must be part of our lives."
 Respect for women of their own col or was preached by Professor welton as a precious lesson growing out of the emancipation. He said that no other virtue of the Caucasian should the negro initiate more than the adoration of women and her purity A revolution in thls line of thought among the negroes of the day would be the solution of the negro's morals. The most shameful of crimes that blot the history of the negro race he said would be gradually reduced.
 As regards education, the speaker rejoiced that industrial schools and colleges were the first to be opened to the negro. He was thankful for the inspiration to work that is taught in them. He hoped that they would be perpetual.
 But I also thank God" he said that the negro can do more than ply his hand. It has been shown that he is capable of the highest thought and philosophy. He has proved that he can conjugate a Greek and a Latin verb, follow in the principles of Plato, appreciate the phillfpics of De- mosthenes, and chose with i ntelli- gence the satelletes and meteors across the dome of the heavens"
 Loud cheers greeted Professor Welton's speech.
 Professor W B. Patterson, principal of the State Normal School. whose pupils had preceded him, consplcu- ously in the celebration, was the next speaker, called upon for five minutes. He spoke from the stand point of the white interpreter of emancipation. He said that the fam ous proclamation meant not only the freedom of the negro. but of the white man. The prosperous condition of Alabama he cited as proof of his declarations.
 A ready response was made to an appeal for money to pay the expen- ses of the celebration. The associa- ton adjourned to the next anniversa- ry after benediction.