Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-01-07
EUL0GY OF: SUMNER
Exercises on Centennial Ami
versary of His Birth.
NEGRO ACADEMY IN CHARGE
Addresses by Justice Stafford and
Former Senator Chandler.
SKETCH BY PRESIDENT GRIMKE
Constitutional Rights of Colored
Race and Lynch Law the
Themes Discussed.
SKETCH BY PRESIDENT GRIMKE

EulogiZing in speech. song and poesy the
name of the man who spoke for them
when their tongues were tied" several hun
dred prominent colored people of Washing
ton attended the Charles Sumner centen-
airy exercises-the anniversary of hisibirth-
held under the auspices of the American
Negro Academy in the Fifteenth Street
Presbyterian Church last night. A num-
Der of white persons were in the audi
ence. and addresses were made by JUS
tice Wendell Phillips Stafford and ex-Sen-
ator William Z. Chandler Of New Hamp-
shire
A spirit OF optimism marked the ad-
dresses, and the keynote of the speeches
by Justice Stafford and Mr.. Chandler was
"Hopefulness."
Equal Rights Discussed.
Justice Stafford gave some time to the
question of constitutional rights. after
painting, the difference in the condition Of
the colored race now and fifty years ago.
He said that In the equal rights question
the positions OF those for and against
were distinctly reversed by the fourteenth
and fifteenth amendments and that.
whereas the advocate Of constitutional
abolitionist-had been outside the law,
now whoever opposed such policy was
beyond the pale
Justice Stafford's remarks were ap-
plauded and his eulOgy of Sumner brought
forth a great demonstration.
Chandler Talks of Lynch Law.
Ex-senator Chandler, introduced as an
old war horse on the side of the colored
race. paid his respects to lynching in the
south in no uncertain terms. The colored
man accused Of crime does not, he
said, always have the benefit of a lawful
trial because Of frequent lynchings.
1.-THE community that tolerates lynch
ing" said Mr.. Chandler. destroys its
reputation and destroys it's prosperity
The speaker advised. above all things,
optimism, patience and courage, saying
that all these evils would pass away in
time.
.Above all. in this contest" he said,
should the colOred race be hopeful and
not despairing. Bear in mind, above all,
that fifty years ago IL men had been de-
spairing and not hopeful you would not
be free now.
Fight on-fght on: give up nothing.
neither constitutional rights nor any
other rights! In time you will be equal
to any race on the globe"
Historical Address.
A. H. Grimke. president Of the acad-
envy. presided and delivered a historical
address dealing with Charles Sumner and
the part he played in the events leading
up to the civil war. Kelly Miller, profess
or of mathematics at Howard Univer-
sity, gave five-minute talk telling of
the strides his race had taken and urging
the people to take advantage Of any edu-
catiOnal opportunities offered.
The musical program included selections
by the choir and a solo by DR.. Charles
Sumner Wormley. A poem. Sumner"
written by Mrs. F. ]. Grimke, wife of the
pastor of the church. was read by Miss
Mary p. Burrill, a teacher in one Of the
high schools Of Washington.
Rev. /. N. Ross and Rev. w. v. Tuu-
nell pronounced invocationS at the begin
ming and the end Of the program, re-
spectively.