Emancipation Celebration in New Market, Virginia, 1899

Emancipation Celebration in New Market, Evening News (Harrisonburg, VA), September 23, 1899

EMANCIPATION DAY - The Colored Folks Have a Big Day in New Market. 

Yesterday a goodly number of our colored friends drove to New Market to celebrate the thirty-seventh anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation. At the appointed hour the procession started from the Methodist Church and paraded the principal streets.  On their return from the parade there stood waiting an anxious crowd of listeners eager to hear the speakers.  The program was opened by song, with Miss Bessie Grant officiating at the organ.  Then Rev. Steptoe offered prayer, after which another song was rendered.  The master of Ceremonies after a short speech, introduced Rev. R. C. Fox, of Harrisonburg.  There is no doubt but that Rev. Fox is a scholar as well as an orator.  He held his audience as easy as a spider holds a fly.  He said many good things and received vociferous cheers together with many hearty congratulations.  As he took his seat the organist played “My Country tis of Thee, etc.”

Then the orator of the day, Rev. W. W. Colly, was introduced but he wanted to hear Mr. T. J. Johnson, the negro poet of the Valley, therefore a few minutes were allowed him to rehearse a proem.  He read an Emancipation Ode.  It was the putting into verse of a few of the many incidents of slavery.  As a writer, Mr. Johnson, the poet, possesses great ability and his future promises to be bright.  

After the poet's rendition, Rev. W. W. Colly spoke on politics, polling, and poverty.  He said many good things and if his advice be taken along the line of politics, the negros, future will not be blighted by heinous lynhing, abuses, and insults.  Rev. W. W. Colly is undoubtedly a profound thinker and has a keen insight as to the future good of his race.

Miss Mason, of Luray, read the Proclamation as issued by President Lincoln. 

The day program and meeting were not marred by the uncouthness which generally prevails on such occasion, but everything went off smoothly and nicely much to the credit of the negro.