Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-09-25

he approved of 1t as the only effective
solution of the negro problem. Mr..
Taylor cited Buxton as the successful
community of all Iowa, which was q
demonstration of this plan.
Mrs. Eva Crump preluded the read
ing of the Emancipation Proclamation
with a few sensible and original re-
marks. After another selection by the
band, Joseph Hopkins gave an adj
dress on THE Negro of Today"
The Negro of Today.
Mr.. Hopkins said that while the
founders of the republic had sought
this new country for liberty and inde-
pendence, the negro had not come of
his own accord. He said that the ne
gro. after 200 years as a chattel slave
was not responsible for his condition
today. He said the problem was in
the advancement made by the negro
and fear of what he would accom-
been loyal to the flag. Instead of APP
ing the white man in bad things. he
said, the negro should take his exam
pie set as to citizenship and loyalty to
home.
Senator Harper's Address.
Senator S. H. Harper then deliver
I'd the address of the day, which he
divided into three thoughts: slavery
In early times. introduction of slavery
into western states and great events
leading up to the civil war. He said
in part:
The negro race has not been the
only one doomed to slavery as our
white ancestors We're slaves during
period of 1000 years. 1t was only in
modern times that the Africans were
considered slaves. In the early history
of our country the leading men were
opposed to the traffic. They knew it
was wrong and hoped to see it disap-
pear. 1t was favored for avaricious
reasons only. If slavery could have
would have saved billions of dollars
and 100000 lives of the flower of the
youth Of our country.
Causes of War.
"The invention Of the cotton gin in
1894 caused the production of cotton
to be profitable and the southern peo-
pie began raising it in such great
quantities as to demand much labor.
They picked up all the slaves they
could and tried to extend the traffic
into new territory. With the Missouri
compromise it was thought the ques-
ton was settled, but the newspapers
and speakers aroused sentiment.
The south became aggressive and ask
ed a repeal of the Missouri compro-
mise with Stephen A. Douglas as the
exponent. President Pierce signed the
bill and the north denounced it. The
south was pleased and began settling
Kansas and in that state the people
Of the north and south clashed for
two years until the Free State men
won. Then followed the bred Scott
Decision the Underground Railroad
and the Fugitive Slave Law Uncle
Toms Cabin was written and read
with great effect. The election of Lin
coin was the first straw, and caused
the organization of the Confederacy.
When the emancipation proclamation
was issued, many thought it had come
too soon and some Of the officers re-
signed, but the bonds Of slavery were
severed"
Senator Harper complimented the
colored people on the progress they
had made the past A years In all, and
especially in educational lines
Following the program refreshments
were served and social time enjoy
! ed.
Program in Evening.
| In the evening another program was
held at the colored K. Of P. hall
where there was music, speaking and