The Denver star., 1913-08-30

oCop6 IL q
Chicago.-The purpose of the Nation
al Semicentennial Emancipation Expo
sition Association of Illinois, with
headquarters in this city. is given in
the following statement by the com
mittee on address to the country:
On the first day of February, 1860.
the thirteenth amendment to the fed
eral constitution was proposed to the
Thirty-eighth congress by the Hon.
John B. Henderson. senator from Mis-
souri,. On the 18th of December of the
same year the amendment was pro-
claimed and ratified by the Hon. VIII
liam H. Seward. secretary of state,
thus abolishing slavery and all forms
of Involuntary servitude except for
crimes.
By this beneficent act of universal
freedom over 100000 colored people
in the United States were given bodily
emancipation. Ignorant, poor and de
based by $50 years of the worst sys-
tenn of human slavery the world has
ever witnessed, they faced the dawn of
freedom with a resolute determination
to measure up to the requirements of
their new responsibilities. How well
the race has met the requirements OF
freedom and citizenship can best be
told or portrayed by concrete evidence
of their achievements and develop
ment. In 1915 the former slaves will
have been emancipated just fifty years
"A short period. indeed. In the history
Of a race or people. Nevertheless these
years are fraught with wonderful
meaning to the former slaves and their
descendants because of the things they
have accomplished and the obstacles
they have overcome. AS race they
have constantly been on trial, and too
frequently the presumptions have all
been against them. They have been
forced, therefore. to work out their
own salvation. as 1t were. not only
with fear and trembling, but with a
consciousness that the world at large
has but meager knowledge ,Qf their
struggles. their development and their
achievements.
The transition from slavery to free
dom is always critical period in the
progress and development Of n race.
A combinatio of unfavorabc circum
stances has made this period doubly
trying to the emancipated people of
| this country The standard by which
their efficiency and their achievements
are measured is that represented by
the ripest culture and development Of
| Caucasian civilization. In meeting this
severe test their friends have often
expected too much of them. while
their enemies have met every attempt
on their part to enter into the full ell
joyment of a frecmans estate with
hostile legislation. bitter denunciation
and the spreading Of race hatred and
prejudice throughout the world.
Viewed. therefore. In the light of their
peculiar condition and environment
their achievements in their social life.
their educational and literary develop
ment and in the field of mechanical
arts and constructive genius have n
more inspiring Significance and should
attract more attention than those of
any other race or people in the world.
This semicentenniaI Of their emanci-
patton offers the colored people of this
country their first opportunity of dem
onstrating to the world what freedom
has done for them.
national semicentennial emancipa-
tion exposition to be held at Chicago
during the months of August and
September. 1915. is the object and aim
of the organization sending out this
communication and 1t is earnestly
hoped that 1t will meet with the hearty
approval of the colored men and wom-
en- of the United States and the gen.
erous support of their friends. In
launching this movement for nation
nj exposition there is not the slightest
intention to antagonize the various
state expositions now under way.
With an exposition broad enough In
scope and purpose to comprehend not
OAly their achievements of brain and
Drawn, but to give to the world some
adequate conception Of their wonder
full capacity for entering into harmony
with and assimiliating the highest cul-
ture and laudable aims of our twenti-
eth century civilization the race will
be able for The first time in its history
to give the world glimpse of the In
ner soul of people striving to lift it.
self from the calling curse OF a de-
moralizing slavery to the glories and
blessings of great civilization.
Let coIored architects design the
buildings, let colored artisans rear the
structures and let colored men and
women direct and superintend the ex-
position. We feel assured that the re-
suits will Justify the outlay In money.
time and energy and will prove cred
table Offering to the worlds achieve
ment. Beauregard r. Moseley. presi-
dent: Frank II. Hamilton. general Sec
retary. Committee on address to the