Newspapers / The Banner-Enterprise (Wilmington, N.C.) / Jan. 26, 1884, edition 1 / Page 2
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iiifw J . 'I DAESEB-BiTERPRISE. Orpi if N. C. InduttrtaJ Association. BALXIQB. 2:Cr JAN. 26. 1884. 4 sstarlpUoatob paid Invariably is 1 so 100 60 nwiiiti fte W OS CFTOXUni, SOUTH SALISBURY STREET. jsT ansttsno( abnstasasnatora mast bt ad- lipmObmiuii, ttisig,H.O. Editor. t ;LThi leading citizens of Raleigh r HOTing Wlla energy IB ue L matter, of .the State Exposition proposed to be held in this city toward all men, ".knowledge is next fall. ! The method is to or- Power," "Truth, Justice and equal ganize a joint stock company with ity before the Law' ''Diffusion of a capital of $25,000, shares at $25 nder a charter which has been en- tered before the clerk of the Supe- rr court of Wake county. icAN THE NEGRO GET justice 1N NORTH CAROLINA "Wo consider it our duty, and a pleasant one it is, to give to our many readers any facts which tend "to disabuse the minds of our North- era friends of the idea that the Negro is so badly treated in the Sooth at least in some portions, Some weeks since we were pres- ent at a term of Bertie superior Cort and there witnessed the tri- ' -i : i! :i i : mi sau wnuiuawwu vi vnu nunuu ; W Villi Uiwm duvii uu luijuwociuu vu .Vi.l. n.J antli an imryraoainn nn I . oaf mind that we cannot forbear to Vfeall attention to it, however disa- greeablo it may be to bring to pub- ; Ucootice seemingly private mattere. , It was an action to recover land, 'fWM a . ITT . t . I TDf piaintin, varies w nite, icoi- ored), brought his action in Joma paujm$. tie is about twenty-five years oid and dependent entirely uu uu uui r ivuuii nig uc cuunu . was a white man, Thos. D. Holley, oneortne most mteii.gent business men of Bertie county and worth at least one hundred thousand dol lar!. Black against white. Pov erty aeainst wealth. The case was i hotly contested. The .jury was '' composed of twelve white demo : crata. The evidence a conflict be- 1 tteen the plaintiff and the dcfend- ant unsupported except by small circumstances. The trial lasted two days. Judge v.t n a....;ij TP,..Tn0 t- ...rfr tt( w m. A. Juoore, Xfuucan v. n m- ston and Francis D. Winston, xiqs., appearea lor wie pituuim. l J ! 1 . .l'O.' I The defence was renresented bv fo P n PLlno Tamaa P. ? Vf a k n TiniAa Rlnrin frAta I .,.... "" """' Jfisqs. The mry was out about ten min ates end returned a verdict for the I 'nTifV I Taking into consideration all the facts of the caae, a negro bringing his suit as a pauper, against a weal- thy white man! a conflict of testi- ,u"7. i; white jurors, we are forced to con- chdo that a negro can get justice In Bertie county, and we know the same to, be the case in many other .... ,v- at. LABI lO VI UtC UMWi I . , w e peueve in wnwng vne iacw thisy are. And when others say the Negro gets no justice in tU Hft.tfchv sneak: without be- ins infittmei Race prejudice is sionally come when it asserts ltaelr, eat ordinarily the calm of citizen- Mn ia not disturbed bv Its unholy pretence. All honor to the Bertie . i jury. , aii nonor to or jaw. all 1 - l ThM EMANCIPATION CELEBRATION AT WASHINGTON N. C. A Oak Day Among th Colortd PopleKf. tfllavmUi Marshall Iht PnraiUTht fytech$Tht Prtsentatum. loport for tk BMav-EatarprlM. ; .. The colored citizens of the coun ties of Beaufort, Pitt, Martin and Pamlico, according to arrange ments, assembled in the town of I Washington on January ht, for the purpose of celebrating m.,.. Emancipation Proclamation Act. Tho procession was formed in front of the court house at 10 o'clock, fgro, until the revolutionary war, 5" ftV?S?r?ft hffl cortege of fiftv assistants, all mounted. The procession wu lead by the Excelsior Brass Band ; fol lowing this was the noted Sala manda Fire Company, and other civic organizations, and a long train of buggies and wagons, &c. And, too, it was grfodrrg aa' well al symbolic of the love of freedom to see the children, and even those with frosty heads and bent' with age, plodding through the muddy streets, keeping step to the music. Many banners were carried, on wuicu were msvriucu aucu no mo following: "Peace and good will Knowledge is the safety of the State," and others. Nearly two hours were spent in parading the principal streets of the town. Finally the vast multitude was drawn up and halted upon a vacant square, where a stand had been erected for the occasion, the court house not being large enough, The speakers and prominent per- sonaees ha vine been seated the president of the day, Prof. YV.J Herritage, announced in their res pective order, the programme. The National Air was sung by the Glee Club and music by the Band, umne uiessmgs were iuvokbu 1 1 : i.-j yy JMjy, XI. O. ilOUeo. 1 T TT O T The Declaration of Independence was read by Miss Sallie Satter thwaite. The Emancipation Proclamation was read by Miss Rosetta Small. stirring speeches were made by Megsr8, a g, Howard, C. C. Shaw, g Dibbl(!j B. L. White, J. C. Dan c anJ Prof w j. Heritage. n.i . i . .. ... . m ., ' . and interfupted by applause. Senator G. A. Mebane, orator of the day, was the last to speak, his subject being the "Emancipa tion Proclamation." He said : I'ellow-Oiiuem:! am not un mindful of the distinguished honor you pay me by your invitation to address you on this occasion. Nor am 1 insensible of the responsibil ity which I assume in accepting mis moai pieasani dui arauous task. In acceDtioar vour invitation T fnl. r(tah,-mv Thim, tn moot your expectation; yet, it is one of Tl . 1 ..." T 1. ... tnose uuues 1 always consiaer im- perative and trom which l could HUk BUI HI. I 1 ha fcifrniTiPftnA nt rrrAnt. ovanta . . & in the history ol a people is no less remembered by succeeding genera tions by the celebration of the an nual return of the day upon which meJ werc cnacreu r irnuspircu, fro t?me immemorial. it has been a custom with all civilized people to celebrate the anniversary of those events most nearly connected It is, therefore, fitting that the w. A '.wl? anw ilia ratitnde to God and his anDrecia- tion to humanity,- by celebrating the day on which it was declared inai ne snouiu ue "iienceiortn ana Wfl mft due t tfc Fourth of'july, the day on which the American colonies severed their allegiance trom tne iiritish government and declared their In Evacuation days, and other Amer ican holidays the glorifications of which have been mado grand by ueU8ul Y1UI ul?u ""1U8U.4 T j j. f i r Jvui -w " - A frico-American the erandest of all American holidays. It brines back to us recollections which words cannot express: recol lections which should cause the heart of every American Negro to throb with joy and gladness. To sit and hear the "Emancipa tion Proclamation" read, carries the mind back to the daya of the revo lutionary war. and the part taken in that great struggle for liberty by the JNeero. The introduction ot slavery into the American colonies, in loL'U, may be considered the beginning of a novel, if not a great, epoch in yening period of ow hetoTj as beine connected with the Ne- which resulted in the independence Of the colonies and the massacre, lad inBoeton on the 5th of March, J770, may be regarded as the ini tiatory step The first to attempt to baffle the then undisputed sway ot the isrit i&h lion, were five Negroes: Crispus Attucks, Samuel Gray and Jonas Caldwell, who were killed on tho spot, and Samuel Maverick and Patrick Carr.'who were mortally wounded. Ignorant and unsophisticated, they led the rabble and uncon scious of the magnitude of their rash onset upon the British sol dierv thev were alike unaware that they were to be sacrificed; that they were to form the four corners of a magnificent monument which should be erected to freedom and American Independence. - The event of the death and burial of these colored heroes was pub licly commemorated in Boston un til the Declaration of Independence was issued, when the Fourth of July was substituted theretor. Well, the poet has said : "Long u in freedom 'i cause the wire contend, Dear to yonr country thill your fame extend ; While to the world tne lettered ttone shall tell, Where Codwell, Attucks, Gray and Maverlrk fell." And we are told by the historian Bancroft, that in the army at Cam bridge the colored people were well represented. "They took their places, not in separate corps, but in ranks with the white man; and their names may be read on the pension rolls of the country, side by Bide with those of other soldiers of the revolution." Moore, in his "Diary of the RevJ olution, says: "The valor of the blacks at the battles of Red Bank and Rhode Island, in August 1778, entitle them to perpetual honor." And Arnold, in his history of Rhode Island does not forget to mention that " The newly raised black 'regiment under Col. Green, distinguished itselt by deeds ot des perate valor." In the war of 1812, the Negro was again called upon to take up arms to defend and preserve the country and independence which he had fought so bravely to achieve. General Jackson speaks in the highest terms of their fortitude and courage. And the New Orl eans ficayune in loo I, among oth er things says: "If, in that hazard ous hour, when our homes were menaced with the hoirors of war, we did not disdain to call upon the colored population to assist in re pelling the invading horde, we should not. when the danger is past, refuse to permit them to unite with us in celebrating the glorious event which they helped to make so memorable an epoch in our histo ry. We were not too exalted to mingle with them in the ailray; they were not too humble to join in our rejoicings." After having done so much to ward achieving American Inde pendence in the revolutionary war; after having done so much for the preservation of that Independence in the American-French war, it would have been a just and de servedly high appreciation of our services to have liberated the whole race. But the timo was not yet ripe. And we witness, even in tho so- called free States, from 1834-7, mob law rampant. In many of the Northern States we were subjected to almost every species of cruelty and inhumanity. isut let us pass on briefly and take a retrospective view of that period immediately preceding the ate war, the ultimatum of which enables us to celebrate tho first day i, January. The "Fugitive Slave Law," the "Missouri Compromise," and other aws and policies of minor import ance, were but the outgrowth of an unholy system of slavery the en tering wedge to the dismember ment of the national compact. and while it was the purpose of those in control of the Federal government to save the Union of the States and slavery too, God bad doomed the institution, and, iike Lucyer, it fell, to rise no more to pregnatc the free air of the American Continent. I said it was not the purpose of those in control ot the government to liberate the slave, and perhaps it may not be amiss to quote from the message of the late President Lincoln. Mr. Lincoln, the name of whom you all reverence, said in his first message: "1 have no purpose di rectly or indirectly t) interfere with the institution of slavery in the States where it exists. I be lieve I have no lawful right to do so; and I have no inclination to do so. in a letter to the lion. Ho race Greely, in August 1862, he further said: "If I could save the Union without freeing any slave, I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing all the slavesf would do it; and if 1 could do it Iry free ing some and leaving othorS alonepj I would also do that." ) 2 I Thus it will be readily seen that the "Emancipation Proclamation'' was a war measure, but we need not care why .nor how it' was brought about since it delivered us from the thraldom of slavery; hence, we may justly celebrate the day of its issuance. " 1 1 But I have digressed a little. And ' I think I am safe hf'saying that the bravery of tho colored troops in the wars of the revolution and 1812, was more from forced circumstances than from patriot ism; for, it is hardly presumable that a people denied the rights of citizenship, would be vtry loyal to any government. Let this be as it may, they did good service for the government. In the late rebel lion there was something more to actuate the Negro than pride or the gain of lucre. It had in it an inspiration that challenged and even surpassed patriotism, or love of country it was the love of free dom. How well the black soldiery act ed their part in the many battles in which they engaged, will be bet ter related Jby the impartial histo rian. :' And thus, the struggles and the sacrifices made by the colored race and its friends, can be no better commemorated than by celebrating a day made memorable and even glorious, by their ultimate success and the ireeuom ot the race, lint "The battle' din hath passed away, And o'er the furrowed plain Spring, fresh and green, the tender blades Of Freedom's golden grain ; But eagle eyei must watch the field, Lent the fell foe should dare . i To scatter, while the sowei s sleep, t ' ' Proscription's noxions snare." , . And, amidst our great rejoicings, let us not forget those who gave their all in an effort to secure our liberty, especially such as have passed beyond the river among whom were: Brown, Lovejoy,Sum ner, Garrison, Stevens, Smith, Wil son, Seward, Chase and a host of others, and lastly though not the least the father of the "Emanci pation Proclamation," Abraham Lincoln. Their names have an indelible impress upon the heart of every American Negro. They are dead but still liveth; and, I imag ine that the shouts of glad millions on this anniversary day, as tly are waited heavenward, are caught up by the angelic host, and that the very arches of heaven are made to resound the echo of our jubilee. It may not at all times be pleas ant to recur to the past, but as it is a matter of history, with some of us it is quite as vivid as though it was but yesterday. Twenty-one years ago to-day, many of you who are v.ithm my hearing stood upon auction blocks. You were in dreadful suspense. You knew not whither you would be sent. The hearts of the fathers and mothers, and of the ' sisters and brothers were all aching. A deluge of tears, as it were, swept down the streets of almost every city and town. You worn being separated trom thos-e most near and dear. To-day you stand upon that same soil once drenched in human tears, which have been absorbed by the meridian brilliancy of the sun of freedom; to-day you stand upon that same soil as free men and American citizens. What a contrast! Let the glad hearts of millions leap for joy. Hark! Methinks I hear seven millions of voices on this "Eman cipation Day," shouting "Glory to Ood! for the struggle is ended, Glory to Ood! for the Tictory won, Honor to those who the right hate defended, Through the long years s!nre the conflict begun . Uod! at Thine altar Is thanksgiving banding, Grant thst our eyes Thy great goodness may see ; 0, may Thy light, while the temples' veil rending. Show, through its portals, the path of the free." Let us turn from the blighted past and look to the bright future, to tbat luture in the wcich we may continue to gather around the sa cred altar of freedom and pour out our prayers of thanksgiving and adoration and praise. That future is full of hope. It has in store for us a destiny that is alike grand and glorious. The transition of the black man from the demoralizing condition of slavery to that of American citizen ship, brought with it responsibili ties various and arduous. To be a good citizen you must first know what it takes to consti tute citizenship. I am aware of the disadvantages under which a majority of you la bor in being required to obey the laws without either knowing them or having the means of acquaint ing yourselves with them. But this is simply cne of the many hard ships usually attendant upon a peo ple so recently in bondage then gjyfen thereleqrive franchise How ever, there art certain moral laws about which you can make no mis- tie, andio deny having a know! edge of them wfeuld be a virtual confession of our incapacity to com prehend the true dignity ot man hood. The field of industry, agricult ure and the mechanical arts in the South, has hitherto been almost tufioWiHif eitireijontrol. But, nn dcr the new regime, we must either improve ourselves In these callings or i yield to a more cultured and scientific rival. We are no longer deluded with the impression that freedom means' idleness. ' We have long since despaired of the i'Forty acres and a Mule;"., and, having realized in the fullest sense of the term, that "Life is a struggle,' let us labor earnestly and assidious- ly to better our condition And then as the years shall rol into eternity, the return of every 'Emancipation Day'' will find us and our posterity better prepared to enjoy the boon of freedom, citi zenship and self-government, and a happier and more prosperous people. (Long and continued ap ptanfte.) Benediction by the Rev. Mr. Lo- max." In the evening there was an en tai nm ent and cake walk at the acoderay building at which a fine gold headed cane was presented by Prof. Herritage, on behalf o: the citizens of Washington, to the orator of the day, G. A. Mebane In accepting the cane Mr. Mebane said: Mr. President, Ladies and GentlemeL When a lad, I learned to detest caning, especially when the ope ration was administered under the theory of those days. I used to be caned often, but it was upon the back and the head; (laughter,) and I have often thought that that is why my head is so very thick. The man who used to cane me most was a white man and he is still alive. would that he were present in or der that we might exchange con gratulation upon the new mode of caning. (Laughter and applause.) I must confess that I like the new mode better. Mr. President, language fails me when 1 attempt to express to you and the citizens of Washington my heartfelt thanks for this testi mony of your appreciation of me and my services on this the anni versary of our freedom. And, should Providence so direct, that length of years upon earth shall make a third cane necessary, I shall rest upon this cane, feeling that I am being supported by the confidence and respect of the good citizens of Washington. (Ap plause.) I accept this cane, Mr. L resident, and shall keep it ns a memento of this occasion, and I wish to say to you, gentlemen, old and young, that should you ever attempt to act ungainly toward trie, you may expect to be caned in a much diilerent manner. (Laugh ter and applause.) 1 lie following inscription is handsomely engraved on the head ot the nine: FROM CITIZENS OF WASHINGTON, N. C, Jan, 1st, 1S.U. Correspondence. W1!D SHALL HE OCR TEACURHHr T!Y AJJERDKKN. For the Banner-Bnterprise. UoncluJeil "Righteousness exalts a nation; but sin isa reproach to any people.'' This simple truth of Holy Writ is exemplified in the history of na tions. What is true of the whole is true of any or all of its parts. The colored race is demoralized, not from their own choice, nor on account of inherent iofeiiority, but by lorce ot circumstances En slaved, chattelized, and outraged for more than two centuries, they still wear the badge of disgrace; and every effort to prevent them from rising in the scale of being, in intelligence, wealth and the highest attainable standard of moral excellence, has been systematically, perseveringly, and unscrupulously applied. The race, however, must be elevated. Legislative enact ments can not do it, only so farVs they secure to us the protection of the law in the legitimate pursuits of industry and happiness, and en sure the just and equitable admin istration of the common law. Our permanent elevation must come by the energy of genuine merit, which no opposition, however powerful or determined, can long suppress. The race will advance by an exter nal law of progress iust aa fast, and only bq last, as it becomes edu cated, industrious, and virtuous in common with all humanity. Y Ko class among us will wield as wide, tr so far-reaching influence in shaping the future of the race than its teachers. Of course the church has to do its work, which, however is more corrective than otherwise, while that of the school room is formative. The teacher has the child in its undeveloped "and most impressible state, fitted to be moulded, according to the ability of the workman, into a vessel of honor or of dishonor. Prevention is better than cure. It is therefore as necessary to . have good moril teachers as it is to have good, pious ministers. How important is it, then, that teachers should be vir tuous in eharacter and exemplary in conduct, a qualification too often overlooked by Superintendents, and not insisted upon by commit teemen and parents. The race will never advance faster or higher than its teachers who therefore should teach not so much for twenty-five or forty dollart as ft)r race progress upwards. They should be persons who have at heart the interest of the race, and who, going into any community, would assume a high moral position, and say to the people, "Come up here," instead of descending to the people's level for the sake of "filthy lucre." What we mean by a religious teacher is not a sectarian bigot, but a practical believer in the doctrines of Christianity. He who sneers at youthful piety or scoffs at religion Bhould not be tolerated as a teacher by the people. The foul-mouthed swearer and blear-eyed drunkard should v be shunned as something lecherous. A teacher Bhould be a gentleman or woman in the fullest sense of the term. For the last eighteen years we have followed closely after politics; for the next eighteen years let us try education and character build ing. SETHCREEN. What the Or at Fish CalmrUt gays : Last winter I went to Florida and while there contracted Malaria in a very lever form. When I returned home I went to bed and remained until spring. My symp toms were terrible. I had dnll, achinc lains in my head, limbs and around my ack. My appetite was wholly trone. and I felt a lack of energy snch aa I had often heard described but had never experienc ed. Anyone who has efer had a severe attack of Malaria can appreciate my con dition. As I failed to get any better I determined to try a remedy made bv a gentleman in whom I had the greatest oonfidence I am happy to aay it effected rmanent relief and that I am well to dar through the influence of Warner's SAFE Core. After such an experience 1 can most heartily recommend it to all suf ferers. oct22-tf L. D. CIDDENS, Gotdsboro, J C. Watches, Bing8,8tuds, Ladies' Sols, Bracelets Chains, SPECTACLES. Ioa Pitchers, Csstori, Caps, Knives, Forks, Spoons. A large stock of CLOCKS, Etc. Roctfori Watcics A Specialty. I keep the largest stock in the city. pf I guarantee all goods to be jost as repNaented. M.t TtT-i.l '"H&c., Impaired and 0- VI arrant an. IT IHtlHavVM CUTLERY! CUTLERY! I have recently opened a apendld stock of table cutlery, and other goods suitable for Holiday Presents. Call and see me. SIGN STREET CLOCK. dscS-tf NORTH STATE SALOON I 3 Wilmington Strut, Ralaiajb, N. C. Blue Front I Baker & Hoover, Propr's. Choices! brands of Wlnaa. Liquors and Cigar ! Fust-Class Hllllua' aa4 PmI TakUs. Box m. Bl 4
The Banner-Enterprise (Wilmington, N.C.)
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Jan. 26, 1884, edition 1
2
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