The Fourth of July Celebration p.2
Dublin Core
Title
The Fourth of July Celebration p.2
Description
"Mr. Editor:— Why did not the colored people celebrate the Fourth of July? — You want the right of suffrage; you wish to be recognized as American citizens :— then why did you not celebrate the National Birthday as all true Americans should? In 1865, when the colored citizens were invited to participate in the celebration of the Fourth of July, I considered then the ice was broken. Even then there were some who had their doubts and fears, and refused to join the procession. Our doubts are always traitors! Ben the few who braved the storm, received cheers instead of insults. We were taken by the hand, and led by the City Fathers like a child learning to walk. That was our debut on the stage of National Equality in the empire city of the Pacific.
In 1866, through some misunderstanding we were left in the shade. In 1867 we again appeared, and after these two essays we should never have let the gap fill up, but have elbowed our way in. If colored men want to be men and citizens amond other men, let them shove themselves ahead as others do.
I supposed the Brannan Guards and the Young Men’s Beneficial Society wanted a special invitation, and expected the Grand Marshal to detail one of the crack military companies as an escort; then perhaps they would have condescended to turn out.
The glorious Fourth has passed, and we will let by-gones be by-gones; but let us promise to do better next time. We should commence with next emancipation day, and from that time celebrate every National day like all other good citizens Next New Year’s day let all the colored citizens of the State concentrate in San Francisco, and have one grand demonstration. Mr Editor, you thunder at the Executive Committee, and let them thunder at the people, since thundering is the order of the day.
-One of the People
Our correspondent is mistaken on our point. Mr. Joseph S. Henriques, First Sergeant of the Brannan Guards, informs us that in accordance with notice of the Grand Marshal, published in the daily papers, that all military companies intending to join in the procession on the Fourth of July must imform him thereof by the 18th of June, the Brannan Guards addressed Col. Stevenson a note to that effect on the 17th of June; they waited two weeks, and receiving no answer, he was directed by a vote of the company to call on the Grand Marshal, who told him that the committee had decided to assign them a place in the ninth division. When the programme of the procession was published on the 3d inst., there was no mention made of the Brannan Guards; consequently the company declined appearing, thinking the Grand Marshal had treated them with duplicity."
In 1866, through some misunderstanding we were left in the shade. In 1867 we again appeared, and after these two essays we should never have let the gap fill up, but have elbowed our way in. If colored men want to be men and citizens amond other men, let them shove themselves ahead as others do.
I supposed the Brannan Guards and the Young Men’s Beneficial Society wanted a special invitation, and expected the Grand Marshal to detail one of the crack military companies as an escort; then perhaps they would have condescended to turn out.
The glorious Fourth has passed, and we will let by-gones be by-gones; but let us promise to do better next time. We should commence with next emancipation day, and from that time celebrate every National day like all other good citizens Next New Year’s day let all the colored citizens of the State concentrate in San Francisco, and have one grand demonstration. Mr Editor, you thunder at the Executive Committee, and let them thunder at the people, since thundering is the order of the day.
-One of the People
Our correspondent is mistaken on our point. Mr. Joseph S. Henriques, First Sergeant of the Brannan Guards, informs us that in accordance with notice of the Grand Marshal, published in the daily papers, that all military companies intending to join in the procession on the Fourth of July must imform him thereof by the 18th of June, the Brannan Guards addressed Col. Stevenson a note to that effect on the 17th of June; they waited two weeks, and receiving no answer, he was directed by a vote of the company to call on the Grand Marshal, who told him that the committee had decided to assign them a place in the ninth division. When the programme of the procession was published on the 3d inst., there was no mention made of the Brannan Guards; consequently the company declined appearing, thinking the Grand Marshal had treated them with duplicity."
Creator
N/A
Publisher
San Francisco Elevator
Date
1868-7-10
Collection
Citation
N/A, “The Fourth of July Celebration p.2,” African American Fourth of July, accessed May 2, 2024, https://africanamerican4th.omeka.net/items/show/190.