The 25th Infantry Band Timeline Project

Cold Day to Celebrate

COLD DAY TO CELEBRATE

Over 700 People Went Out to Columbia Gardens.

SPEECHES BY PROMINENT CITIZENS

Successful Celebration of the Thirty-Third Anniversary of Emancipation Day -- Interesting in and Outdoor Sports -- The Tall Drum Major Takes the Cake and the Beauty Prize.

Notwithstanding the cold, miserable character of the day over 700 people went out to Columbia Gardens yesterday to lend their presence in celebrating the thirty-third anniversary of the emancipation proclamation. The first arrivals congregated around the few stoves that were to be found and toasted their toes until the arrival of Gov. Rickards, Mayor Thompson and the members of Lodge No. 2989 G. U. O. O. F., under whose auspices the celebration was conducted. When those mentioned had taken seats on the stage the Twenty-fifth Infantry band rendered a selection. Charles Seagar then announced that Thomas E. Amos would act as master of ceremonies and on coming forward that gentleman called upon the Rev. Charles Cushingberry who delivered an opening prayer. He prayed that the large gathering which had assembled to commemorate the breaking off of the shackles that bound 4,000,000 of people in slavery might go up as incense to the Almighty and bring blessings to his people. The prayer was listened to in respectful silence. At its conclusion, and at the request of members of the visiting band, Mr. Cushingberry, assisted by the audience, sang "In the Shadow of the Rock."

C. G. Bradshaw, who was down for an address, sent a letter of regret in which he said that he was under the doctor's care and his physician had advised him not to go out.

Mayor thompson was then introduced and delivered an address of welcome. He said:

Mr chairman, ladies and gentlemen:
It has been for ages past, the custom to celebrate any great event that has happened in a nation or race history, whereby they may keep in remembrance some of the most important changes that have transpired and it is for this purpose that you, as a distinct race, have assembled yourselves together for the purpose of celebrating the emancipation act issued by our most illustrious president, Abraham Lincoln, who by his wisdom blotted out slavery in this nation and set 4,000,000 of human beings free who had been in bondage. Truly this is an act that you may be proud to celebrate annually, so long as the love of freedom and patriotism remains in your remembrance of past events, and I trust it will be as long as your race remains in this nation, as the love of freedom is one of the strongest passions of the human heart. And now, as a representative of the city where you have thought it to be the most appropriate place to assemble yourselves together for this purpose, I bid you welcome, on the part of the citizens of Butte, and I hope that all visitors from all other localities may be entertained by their brethren and citizens of this city, in such a manner that they may have ever remembered the pleasant time they may have while celebrating the most momentous event in your history. And I hope you may all remember above all other things your good fortune of being American citizens endowed with all the privileges that it implies, knowing that it is one of the greatest honors that can be bestowed on any man in this republican government of ours.

Gov. Rickards was the next speaker. He said that "the architect of the universe celebrated with a day of rest after the creation of his masterpiece and set before mankind the example of commemorating that which is noble in purpose and useful in design." He said that in former days events were celebrated regardless of their effects upon mankind. Emancipation Day belonged to the celebrations which commemorate the injecting of moral forces into the life of a great nation.

"The grandest document," said the governor, "ever penned by the hand of a statesman, when measured by the magnitude of its effects, was the emancipation proclamation of President Lincoln. Sept. 22, 1862, the noblest of the noble men who have lived for their country and died for their countrymen, affixed his signature to that historic document that righted the wrong of the ages. It was an act that lifted a cloud of sorrow from the burdened hearts of downtrodden millions, and bade the sunlight of hope to enter the soul." He said that had Lincoln lived his chief concern would have been the welfare of those initiated into freedom by his will.

"Step by step," said the speaker, "barriers of prejudice have been broken down until the measure of the man is mo longer guaged by "race, color or previous condition of servitude." The world has learned the logic of the Scottish poet, that 'a man's a man for a' that.'

"No people within the vista of history have so swiftly lifted themselves up to the level of their God-given opportunities as have the men and women to whom the triumph of the stars and stripes brought freedom's wand of power.

"Enforced ignorance, that refined cruelty of anti-bellum days, left its burden upon the new born citizens, but to his credit e it said he rose from the old environment into the new and became an influential factor in the affairs of men. Slavery was perpetuated by ignorance, through ignorance and in ignorance. Had the knowledge acquired by the freedman been attained by the bondsmen slavery would have been an impossibility.

"When the last vestige of political prejudice shall have passed and universal education has forever levelled the barriers between the races and opened every field of ambition alike to all, then will the fruition of the martyr's masterpiece be realized."

The speaker said that the attaining of the end in view now rested chiefly with those who had profited by the act of Lincoln. They should strive by self-culture and education to hasten the day when the brotherhood of man will mean equality of opportunity in all the walks of life. He said it was the duty of those surrounded by friends in the north to lend a helping hand to those to whom freedom is little else than a dream.

Concluding the speaker said: "The Christian world bids you God speed and welcomes you to every plane of progress in the struggle onward and upwards to the destiny that surely awaits you."

Following the governor's address Miss Edenthenzo Thompson read with much effect the emancipation proclamation.

After a selection by the band the Rev. Charles Cushingberry, the orator of the day was introduced.

Rev. Cushingberry's Address.

The reverend gentlemen opened by referring to the presence of the governor of the state, the mayor of the city and the Twenty-fifth Infantry band, the latter being present under a special permit from the secretary of war. He then said that the subject which he was about to discuss was one of vital importance to the American people: "Let us turn for a few brief moments," he said, "to the state of this so-called 'negro' and see if we can find a few facts whereon to build a basis for our subject. History is only philosophy teaching by example, therefore let us consult the philosophy of human events. This brings us to the thought, 'Has the negro advances and what is his future?' "

The speaker then discoursed at some length on the creation of man; mentioned the arrival of the first negro slave in Virginia, and traces his progress through years of oppression and opposition up to the time that the stroke of the pen in the hand of Abraham Lincoln set him free, and said that "No race of men have shown the intellectual and financial development that the negro has, considering his short period of liberty."

The speaker then mentioned as example the intellectual progress of the colored men the number of universities that were conducted by them in this country, and the numerous representatives of the race who had served their country well and faithfully in the United States senate and house of representatives. "To-day there are 2,500,000 negroes who can read and write. According to the census of 1890 there were 1,238,229 negro children in schools of color; 20,000 men and women not over 27 years of age, employer as teachers; 30 academies and 80 colleges; 20,000 district and conference schools, 1,000 college-graduated ministers; 200 editors, 300 lawyers and 800 physicians. "If," continued the speaker, "the negro continues to progress at this rate, in another half century he will lead the world." This sentiment was greeted with loud applause.

"From the introduction of slavery to the close of the civil war, the moral and religious training of the negro was in the hands of the white people of the south. For more than two centuries they had absolute control of his spiritual education. The struggle of this race for knowledge is worthy of being told in the ears of each generation. How many mothers who had no chance of learning have bowed day and night over the washtub to give their sons and daughters that opportunity which the advance of the age and changed conditions demanded. The flickering light burned late at night by negroes who have thrilled listening galleries and mastered foreign languages is undying testimony to the glory and grandeur of the people.

"This race 30 years ago were paupers -- turned out into the world without a dollar -- and what have they done to prove that they know how to handle money? An authority upon the subject says that in the state of Georgia alone they own 1,000,000 acres of land upon which they pay taxes. During the first 10 years after the war they saved $12,000,000 which was deposited in the freedmen's and other banks. The A. M. E. church, which is distinctly negro in all of its organization, has an annual contribution of $3,000,000. The taxable property owned by negroes in the leading cities throughout the country is a fact worth more than a page of rhetoric in proving that the negro is saving his money. I consider that the greatest evidence of the progress of the negro is to be found in the homes which they have built. Show me people who have a home and I will shop you a people whom foreign invasions cannot shake.

"At the close of the war not one negro in a thousand knew the alphabet. In 1880, 20 in every 100 could read and write. In one county in South Carolina statistics reveal the fact that there are more colored people who can read and write than there are whites."

Turning to the subject of religion the speaker said: "Christian piety, Christian example and Christian energy have come to us from those who honored the race upon the field and farm. We should not lay too much stress upon education for it enlightens but it does not purify. Education or culture without piety is like a child with a razor in his hand -- liable to damage itself at any moment. Greece was artistic and religious, but she sank in an ocean of wrath; Rome reached her hand across the world and bid all men to pay her tribute, but through the lack of piety her walls crumbled before the searching light of religion. The race is progressing religiously. Our of 9,000,000 population there are 2,610,525 Christians belonging to the Baptist, Methodist, Catholic, Presbyterian, Episcopal and Christian churches. H. K. Carroll, special agent of the census on churches, who is authority for these figures, finds that, according to the aggregate negro population, one in every three is identified with some religious denomination. He thinks that there are but few atheiests among them and but a few stubborn skeptics. This is all put down to the negro's credit."

In closing Mr. Cushingberry said: "Allow me to say to you as colored citizens of Butte and vicinity, that you have shown by this demonstration that you are loyal to all that goes to build up our race. May we emulate the grand qualities of our race in the east, north and south, by educating our children, buying houses, going into business for ourselves, and stop all this talk 'you can have all the world but give me Jesus.' We want some of the world and Jesus too. Money rules the world and if you have money it matters not how dark you are or how shabbily you may be dressed the other sect will respect you and call you Mr. So-and-So. Get education, get religion, but in all your getting get money and save it.

Indoor Programme.

The afternoon indoor programme then closed with two excellent selections by the Imperial quartette. The first was "Slavery Days," Charles Seager singing the solo, and in response to loud calls they sang "Sweet Love." The member of the quartette are Will Allen, Jerry Williams, George Butler and Charles Seager.

The first number on the programme of out door exercises was a 50 yard foot race for a pair of silk suspenders. There were five entries and the prize was won by W. M. Carson, who pocketed the only two men who were in it with him. The race was only open, as announced by the master of ceremonies, to the sons of freedmen. When this lattef announcement was made a white boy who had come prepared to enter with the sprinters wanted to know who "Freedman" was.

The second event was a 50 yard race for ladies and when seven contestants walked down the course they were greeted with applause from the grand stand. The prize, a storm coat, was won by Miss Harry Simington, with Miss Thompson, the favorite, a good second.

Then came the most amusing event of the day, the watermelon-eating contest. Seven terrors to the fruit with the red packing took seats on the platform opposite the grand stand. The melons were cut into quarters, and when the word "go" was given W. M. Summerville, the winner, made two flaps of his coffee coolers and exhibited a rind that was scooped clean.

The Stetson hat offered as a prize to the person who reached the highest point on the greased pole was won by a boy named Bullman but who is known among his companions as Bulldog.

The cake walk was won by Joseph White, drum major of the Twenty-fifth Infantry band, with Miss Cora Howard. The major was also voted the handsomest man in the band.

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