The Washington bee., 1906-12-29


Gus and skilfu The Bee congratulate:
/ DIR. \. NJ. Curtis on his most success
ful Southern trip.
EMANCIPATION CELEBRATION
4 CaH TO Negroes to Celebrate ht
Emancipation Proclamation.
January I, 1907.
To Afro-Americans Throughout the
World,
Greeting;
We are approaching the forty-third
anniversary Of the issuance Of the
Emancipation Proclamation by Presi-
dent Abraham Lincoln, and We believe
that it ought 10 be more generally OBJ
served than heretofore.
1t Is right and proper that we should
Law aside the ordinary duties OF life
and don our best clothes, congregate Il
our churches and halls, and show to
the world our appreciation of the great
est boon which has ever come TO us as
race Of people-our freedom. When
we do SO we but follow in the wake
of the patriotic and aggressive people
of all nations.
The ancient Jew took delight in COM
memorating his deliverance from Egyp-
tian bondage. The Greeks celebrated
their most illustrious events by the
Olvmpian games, which became famous
the world over. The Romans took de-
light in celebrating the founding OF
Rome. The English celebrate the
wrestling Of the Magma Charta from
the hands of King John (I2I5). The
French celebrate the fail OF the Bas-
tile: Germany. the founding OF the en-
pire under the Iron Chancellor Bis
mark. We, OF America, shout our
selves hoarse on the Fourth OF July
because we had courage, erit and en-
durance enough to throw off the British
woke. under the able leadership OF
George Washington the Father OF
Our Country.
Should Afro-Americans fail to as
senble on the birthday Of their freedom
and with proper exercises commemorate
the issuance of their Magma Charta,
they would show themselves lacking IN
appreciation OF the great gilt bestowed
upon them
1t IS meet and right that we should
assemble and rehearse the achievements
of the past forU-wo years, Let the
world know OF the progress we have
made along the moral and religious
lines. for we are not race of Grim
inals as some in high places are striv-
ing to make the world believe. This
+, evidenced by the thousands and tens
of thousands Of intelligent, honest sober
and law-abiding citizens that are seen
everywhere. who have the confidence
and respect of both white and black.
We should tell of our material progress
a, IS shown by the accumulation OF per
sonal property and real estate to the
amount Of more than billion OF dol
lars. We should proclaim TO the world
our educational progress, tell how we
have eliminated more than fifty per
cent Of our illiteracy, and we should
crv aloud against the injustices which
are being perperated against US by the
enactment of the jim-crow car and dis
franchisement laws on the part OF the
South. We should let the world know
what an injustice has been done the
race bv the dismissal of innocent Negro
soldiers at the behest of race prejudice,
men who have for years fought in the
defense of the flag and for the honor
of the country. Let us speak of our
wrongs until they are righted. We
should pass resolutions thanking our
friends, North and South, for encour-
agement and aid given.
We earnestly appeal to the churches
and societies, benevolent and other
wise, and let it be a creditable contri-
bution,to help the Afro-American Coun-
Gil to prosecute its work. Send the
amount collected to the Hon. J. {.
Napier. President of the Penny Savings
Bank. Nashville, TennA It requires
money if we would fight our battles
successfully, heGo@ every member OF
gTesE7E zzEO: VI! Esz