Emancipation Celebration at Newport News
January 6, 1894
Summary
A detailed list of the celebration of the Emancipation Proclamation in Richmond.
Transcription
The celebration of the Emancipation Proclamation took place here to-day and was a grand affair.
It was under the auspices of the Emancipation Club: James H. Lee, president; Rev. W.H. Dixon, secretary; Executive Committee: Retter Allen, E.F. Braxton, Rev. J.E. Jones, J.H. Williams, A. Bannister, and S.M. Travis.
The line of march formed on the corner of Jefferson Avenue and 23rd Street. Promptly at 12 o’clock the procession started. It was headed by the brass band from Portsmouth, Va. It discoursed lively airs and with the attractive uniforms was much admired.
The following organizations participated: Ponce DeLeon Lodge, 2527, G.U.O. of O.F., Damon Lodge, no. 12 K. of P., New Light Lodge No. 350 True Reformer, St. Fisherman, Blooming Star Lodge, No. 436, True Reformers, West Point, Va., Zouaves, Capt. C.H. Clark, commanding, Jones Cadets, James Taylor, captain E.P. League, Goddess of Liberty.
The principal streets were paraded. The Zouaves from West Point, attired in their red caps, blouses and red pants, Capt. Charles H. Clark, commanding, were the subjects of many congratulations. Their maneuvers were very fine and their commanding officer need feel proud.
A detail of mounted horsemen preceded the procession.
B. Morrick, Chief Marshal, Robert Rogers, first lieutenant; M.Jackson, assistant marshal; Aids, D.M Gaines, P. Roane; J.C. Harris, bugler; P. Woodson, chairman Finance Committee.
Upon the return, the exercises were help in the First Baptist Church, the popular Rev. W.H. Dixon, pastor.
Devotional exercises were conducted by Rev. G. T. Jones, chaplain.
The Emancipation Proclamation was read by Mrs. Eliza Dizon.
The poem, by Mrs. Amanda V. Clarke was very fine. Her delivery was excellent.
The orator for the occasion was Mr. John Mitchell Jr., editor of the Planet, and member of the Richmond, Va. Board of Alderman.
He received a flattering welcome and spoke for an hour eliciting rapturous applause. He traced the history of the Negro from 1620 down to the present time, declaring that through all their vicissitudes the Negro was the best friend the white man ever had.
He made an appeal for equal rights and declared that there was no desire for social equality.
He urged his hearers to be truly emancipated, live sober, industrious, honest and moral lives. He beseeched them to save their money and buy land. He condemned lynch law lawlessness in all of its forms and made a powerful appeal in behalf of the Negro.
The progress of the Negro was reviewed by capt. James A.Field, ex-Commonwealth Attorney. He told of the achievements of the race, cited living examples of the truth his words contained and made a most excellent showing for the race with which he is identified.
Editor Mitchell dined with Rev. W.H. Dixon and left at 4:35 p.m. for Richmond.
He was booked to speak at hampton but his letter stating his inability to speak there seems to have miscarried and was returned to him at Richmond by Post Office authorities.
It was under the auspices of the Emancipation Club: James H. Lee, president; Rev. W.H. Dixon, secretary; Executive Committee: Retter Allen, E.F. Braxton, Rev. J.E. Jones, J.H. Williams, A. Bannister, and S.M. Travis.
The line of march formed on the corner of Jefferson Avenue and 23rd Street. Promptly at 12 o’clock the procession started. It was headed by the brass band from Portsmouth, Va. It discoursed lively airs and with the attractive uniforms was much admired.
The following organizations participated: Ponce DeLeon Lodge, 2527, G.U.O. of O.F., Damon Lodge, no. 12 K. of P., New Light Lodge No. 350 True Reformer, St. Fisherman, Blooming Star Lodge, No. 436, True Reformers, West Point, Va., Zouaves, Capt. C.H. Clark, commanding, Jones Cadets, James Taylor, captain E.P. League, Goddess of Liberty.
The principal streets were paraded. The Zouaves from West Point, attired in their red caps, blouses and red pants, Capt. Charles H. Clark, commanding, were the subjects of many congratulations. Their maneuvers were very fine and their commanding officer need feel proud.
A detail of mounted horsemen preceded the procession.
B. Morrick, Chief Marshal, Robert Rogers, first lieutenant; M.Jackson, assistant marshal; Aids, D.M Gaines, P. Roane; J.C. Harris, bugler; P. Woodson, chairman Finance Committee.
Upon the return, the exercises were help in the First Baptist Church, the popular Rev. W.H. Dixon, pastor.
Devotional exercises were conducted by Rev. G. T. Jones, chaplain.
The Emancipation Proclamation was read by Mrs. Eliza Dizon.
The poem, by Mrs. Amanda V. Clarke was very fine. Her delivery was excellent.
The orator for the occasion was Mr. John Mitchell Jr., editor of the Planet, and member of the Richmond, Va. Board of Alderman.
He received a flattering welcome and spoke for an hour eliciting rapturous applause. He traced the history of the Negro from 1620 down to the present time, declaring that through all their vicissitudes the Negro was the best friend the white man ever had.
He made an appeal for equal rights and declared that there was no desire for social equality.
He urged his hearers to be truly emancipated, live sober, industrious, honest and moral lives. He beseeched them to save their money and buy land. He condemned lynch law lawlessness in all of its forms and made a powerful appeal in behalf of the Negro.
The progress of the Negro was reviewed by capt. James A.Field, ex-Commonwealth Attorney. He told of the achievements of the race, cited living examples of the truth his words contained and made a most excellent showing for the race with which he is identified.
Editor Mitchell dined with Rev. W.H. Dixon and left at 4:35 p.m. for Richmond.
He was booked to speak at hampton but his letter stating his inability to speak there seems to have miscarried and was returned to him at Richmond by Post Office authorities.
About this article
Source
Location on Page
Upper Right Quadrant
Topic
Contributed By
Carlos Serrano
Citation
“Emancipation Celebration at Newport News,” Black Virginia: The Richmond Planet, 1894-1909, accessed April 24, 2025, https://blackvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/68.