The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1916-09-30
coLoRED PEOPLE ENJOY A
HOLIDAY.
Observance Of Anniversary Of Eman-
cipation Proves Success.
ELOQUENT SPEAKER HEARD
Nelson c. Crews stips Great Thronu
Gathered at Fam Grounds.

Nelson C. Crews stips Great Thronu
Gathered at Fan Grounds.
Through the hard wcrk of members
of the committee an6 the liberal as
sistance of the press, the colored peo-
pie of Terre Haute held the greatest
celebration of the Emancipation Proc
lamation that has ever been witness
ed in this vicinity. Opening with
parade six squares in length that was
in every way crediiEble and upon
which much favorable comment was
made, the exercises of the day were
launched with vigor that assured
the success that followed.
Attorney John &. Roundtree as mas.
ter of ceremonies, delivered a brief
but splendid address at the fair
grounds in the afternoon. Miss Har-
riett Stuart, daughtef of Prof. S. w.
Stuart read the Proclamation.
Speaker stirs Crowd.
Mr.. Roundtree then introduced the
speaker of the day, Nelson C. Crews,
of Kansas City, Mo, who gave mas
terly address. full of the fire and en-
thusiasm so characteristic of Mr..
Crews and which brought forth loud
applause at frequent intervals. At
times Mr.. Crews foved his audience.
the largest colored audience that has
assembled on an occasion of that
kind, to tears while at other times he
led them in singing some song of the
olden times that brought the scenes
of the slavery days yiyidly before the
binds of the older PERSONS present
Mr.. Crews reviewed the experiences
of the Negro from the time he was
brought to this country through the
trying days of slavery and to his
emancipation. He then showed what
he had accomplished since the time
of his emancipation and gratefully re-
membered those who had had part
in assisting and helping the Negro to
his present place in the world
His final plea was that the Negro
be given the chance to be a man in
this country and the privilege of en-
joying the citizenship accorded him
by the Constitution of the United
States.
The music by th%snraternitY Band
was the best that Organization has
furnished.
The local committee is grateful to
citizens who donated the use of their
automobiles and to all who in any
way assisted in making the day the
great success that it was.
Crowd at Night Meeting.
Addressing a cheering, applauding
crowd of more than 1000 people last
night, Mr.. Crews appealed to the col
ored voters of Vigo county to support
Charles L. Hughes, Republican nomi-
nee for president with their ballots
in the coming election. Not in years
has there been such an assembly of
voters at an open air night meeting,
and never was enthusiasm more pro-
nounced than was shown last night.
! The meeting was held in the grand
stand at the fair grounds and was
made of colored and white voters.
In eloquent terms Mr.. Crews
| showed the wide contrast between the
administrations of Woodrow Wilson
and Abraham Lincoln, depicting the
noble work accomplished by the mar
| tyred President and the woeful lack
of achievement, so far as it affected
the Negro race, by the Wilson admin
istration. Race discrimination has
been most pronounced since the in
| auguration of President Wilson, Mr.
Crews declared.
The speaker was interrupted re-
peatedly by applause which many
times lasted several minutes.-Terre
Haute Star,
The funeral of Brother J. H. Scott
] will ha hold or ANaflEipS