The Nashville globe. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1906-193?, 1909-02-05

Springfield, Ill, Feb. 8, 19O9.-Un-
less the more sober-minded and better
thinking white citizens of this, the
birthplace Of Abraham Lincoln, inter
vene and take charge Of the proposed
Centennial that is to be held here
in honor of the lamented Abolitionist,
Statesman, and Martyred President,
Abraham Lincoln, the whole thing
may prove disgrace to the city SO
far as the whites are concerned
Springfield has already undergone one
Of the most shameful and outrageous
acts ever witnessed by an Illinois
town, one that will forever mar the
fair name of the birthplace OF the
Great Lincoln, and yet there seems
TO be three contesting factions among
the whites, in the proposed celebra-
tion, of the Lincoln Centennial. Ex-
pressions have been made here that
when the very first announcement was
made that the city would celebrate the
onehundredth anniversary there arose
an anti-Negro faction, a party opposed
to Negroes taking part in the public
celebration. But this was to be ex-
pected. 1t was looked for, especially
when it is remembered that the news
papers and magazines have not yet
ceased to discuss the disgraceful riot
of some months ago, hence the Ne
groes, the better class, that element
that stands for the thrifty and intel,
lectual part of the Negro population,
had prepared to properly observe the
one hundredth birthday of the great
emancipator Now that the whites
were united long enough to force this
shameful discrimination, which is
proving a blessing in disguise, it is
reported that they have fallen out
among themselves. No Negroes, how
ever, are in a position to get any facts
in the case as they are not admitted
into the counsels of the warning FAC
tions: but rumor which by the way,
has reached the associated press dis
matches, has it that strong prohlDl-
ton faction is vigorously opposing the
use of wine at the banquet to be held
by the whites of this city Much dis
cussion has been INDUCED in and to-
day it is said that there is likely to
be two banquets and two celebrations
among the whites with indications of
a third. Some are claiming that Lin
coin was prohibitionist, and others
that he was not teetotaler. Yet the
factions are creating shameful scene
by injecting first the Negro problem
and second, the prohibition question.
The most disgraceful part, according
to the well-informed citizens, is the
total disregard of the Negro for whom
the late Mr. Lincoln took the boldest
steps, in the interest Of, when he Is
sued his famous Emancipation Pro-
clamation. But the Negroes are not
Worrying over the situation. They
are, to a man. quietly yet deliberately
planning to give reverence and honor
to the name that is dear to them.
They will show to their posterity that
while enjoying freedom which was
given them by the party of which Mr..
Lincoln was the head, they are not
ungrateful and are able to shut their
ewes to all discrimination, since it
does not interfere with their right
to enjoy the liberty granted by the
signing of the Emancipation Procla'
nation and the three Amendments to
the Constitution advocated and passed
by the leaders of the party Of which
the Rail-splitter was the ideal. Sum
ming up up the situation with regard to
the coming one hundredth birthday Of
Illinois, greatest son, day which has
been set apart as a national holiday
Springfield, it looks, will have the fol