The Appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. ;) 1889-19??, 1913-10-25


Two generations have passed down
life's highways;
Two generations of black men-free
born.
What progress made since the long
night of slave days
Paled fore the dawn of the Jubilee
Morn?
Come with me back to that day in
September,
When prayers were answered, the
slaves shackles fell.
Only a few now are left to remember;
Ask them the pitiful story to TELL
How they were destitute, helpless and
heart-sOre;
Sold like dumb brutes, so was justice
defiled.
Strong, rugged bodies, like horses we'll
cared for;
! Sinews of steel and the mind of a
child.
Then like a giant that awakens from
slumber,
Startled the suns noou-day glory to
see,
So the black legions, four million in
number,
I! Rose from their lethargy, frighted-
but free.
Rose. from the auction-block's whip
ping and killing;
Rose by Gods grace to his purpose
and plan.
Lifted by Him from the soil he was
tilling;
{ Rose a crude creature and stood
fOrth-a man.
Into the school house, the workshop,
the world-strife,
Straightway he entered, nor found
the way smooth.
Hell-nourished prejudice struck at his
very life;
Stalked him and Knocked him where
e'er he might move.
So we have come to our fftieth mile
stone,
Weary with fighting; how long,
Lord, how long?
Weary with wond'ring if Christ really
did atone;
Weary of telling the world of it's
/ wrong
Prayerfully hoping just consumma-
ton
Of all our ills, many sorrows we
bore;
Strong in our faith that the great
Proclamation,
! Our Rock of Ages, must stand ever
more.
Fifty years, fifty years, fifty years
freedom.
Toll the death-knell of a half cen
tury.
Out of the Stygian blackness of thrall-
| dom,
Into the sunshine Of Gods liberty.
Judge of the Municipal Court, John
w. Finehout was introduced by At.
torney w. T. Francis, and spoke in
part, as follows:
I have attended all of these cele.
brations, managed by Mr.. Adams, and
II have attended them because I have
enjoyed them, because they are an
education and because I consider it a
privilege which l am glad to have tC
meet you and get acquainted with you
and to know you better. I am sorry
that there are not more of my people
here tonight to see you, to know you
and to meet you as do. It would be
means of changing sentiment in your
favor. You are a progressive people
and you are winning your way slowly
but surely. I am acquainted with
, many of your men for whom I have the
highest regard.
} I want to take this opportunity OF
~ saying just word about my friend
w. T. Francis, whom I have known fol
a number of years. He is a young mar
of sterling character, a good lawyer
, and citizen of whom we might al
we'll be proud. I also wish to express
my appreciation for Mr.. Morris ant
, Mr. Erwin, as gentlemen, both of whom
have practised before me with ability
} I thank you for the privilege of be
, ing here tonight.
Attorney w. T. Francis followed
: Judge Finehout and among othe
, things paid we'll deserved tribute tt
) Secretary Schmahl and Judge Fine
: hout
2 Following Mr.. Francis came a plan,
5 number by 1.-THE Appeal Quartet"
: hands, who rendered ''Salut a'Pesth,
5 Misses Ada Lewis, Mildred Shull O
? Minneapolis, Misses Albreta Bell an
/ Adina Adams, who scored quite a hit
RI Attorney w. R. Morris, the scholarl,
l lawyer of Minneapolis, spoke upon tn
: matter of the segregation of the Afro
J. Americans in the departments a
, Washington and gave one of his usua
I logical and helpful addresses.
|, Next was a soprano solo, Fare
+ we'll Ye Hills - Tschaikowsky
;. Nine. Addie Crawford Minor, who a
i usual completely covered herself wit
glory. For an encore she sang Tosti'
t Goodbye" and by special request o
:. Judge Finehout, sang "Swanee River,
/ Miss Albreta Bell, accompanist.
f The audience was then treated to-
t very pleasing number by a young elc
+ cutionist from Grand Forks, N. D
i who came especially to appear on tn
r program, Miss Frances Willard Nj
r Cray. Her reading was fine and dre1
$ deserved applause.
$ Mr. W. T. Francis by request the
| introduced Mr.. George R. Garner,
0 tenor robusto from Chicago, who san
! two selections in a most delightful
9 manner. This was little extra trea
\ for the audience that was highly er
: joyed. Mrs. S. Edward Hall was hi
: accompanist.
8 Then followed the original sketch