St. Paul recorder. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1958-04-11

aplendor. often called the NE
gro's Fourth Of July they were
preparation. Singing, speech max
ing. food, and other picnic devices
were used 20 make the event one
10 be remembered and talked
about.
In the 1870 celebration, some
three or four hundred Negroes and
few white spectators attended.
Mr. b c. Yancy was elected chair
man Of this convention, and Col
Robert Banks, a prominent Negro
OF 81. Paul. delivered the address.
scott's Band furnished the music.
Other speakers were: Rev j. H.
futile Of Minneapolis; Colonel
Aldrich, Rev. w. Hedgeman, and
Judge Hemiup Of ST. Anthony
who praised the vnlor Of the
Negro people"
In later years, this celebration
often was combined with the celo-
bration OF the emancipation Of
looked forward TO with much
the slaves In the South. This kind
OF celebration was often called by
the daily press the celebration Of
the 18th Amendment
In 1887, the Minneapolis Indus
trial Exposition was held, and all
nationalities were celebrating some
kind Of freedom. There was a
81. Paul Day. a Minneapolis Day,
an Idshman's Day a Newspaper
Day. a Germans Day. Bohemian
Day, and a scandinavian Day q.
but the day Of all days was the
Colored Peoples Day. Later the
name Colored Peoples Day was
changed 10 Emancipation Day. The
celebration was held September ~,
1887, commemoratlng the 25th an
niversary OF the Emancipation
Proclamation. A large and varied
program was presented TO an in
terracial group OF more than 5000
people from Minnesota and adj
joining states that day. Local and
national talent was presented with
laundering applause.
John Mercer Langston, who was
later U. s. Minister TO Haiti de
livercd the main address Music
was furnished by Liberau and the
list Regiment Band Of New York
n. T. Gray served as president for
the day,
Later. after the turn of the cen.
tury and until the arrival and
popularity OF the automobile. and
also before the feeling that in
tegraton had arrived, (which is
more fiction than facD these cele-
brations continued although under
different auspices.
The ST. Philips Episcopal pic
mic was usually held at Spring
Park on Lake MinnetonJa. This
picnic was less strict than the
Union picnic which was composed
OF all the Negro churches and
Sunday schools in the twin cities
less strict IN the sense that
there was dancing TO rag-timc
music as well as sports and cN-
cursions on steamboat.
The St Philips picnic was in
vitational in an attempt to keep
out rough elements uuloved de
hquent youth and adults who as
pire 10 certain amount Of per
sonal privilege within the stand
ards Of the race; and II such
privilege is denied they may reg
lister their protest by DETECTING
their resentment from the whites
who were responsible for Il, TO
the Negro group in some form
OF personal violence. No doubt
acts OF violence and the destruc-
ton Of property were contubut
ing factors to the decision to dis.
continue the picnics,
The Union picnic was generally
held once year In July while
the St Philips picnic was held In
August, Negroes who never went
anywhere else came to these pic.
mics and old timers would see old
friends once a year at these gather
ings They came by street cars