Viewing page 5 of 19

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

CEREMONIES
Attending the Inauguration of the Freedmen's Memorial Monument to Abraham Lincoln, at Lincoln Park,
Washington City, April 14, 1876.
_______

[From Washington Republican, April 15, 1876.]

The eleventh anniversary of the death of Abraham Lincoln, was made a most fitting occasion for the ceremonies attending the unveiling of the Lincoln statue, in Lincoln park. It had originally been intended by the committee having the matter in charge to unveil the statue- which is designed to commemorate the great act of Lincoln's life, the liberation of the slaves in the South- upon the anniversary of the day upon which the memorable proclamation was issued, but as that day falls on Sunday it was concluded to have the ceremony performed on the anniversary of another event in the history of liberty- sadder, but not less memorable. The arrangements for the exercises were complete, and the exercises which had been previously arranged were carried out without interruption or the slightest unpleasantness. It was evident at an early hour that preparations were being made for some unusual ceremony. The day having been declared a public holiday, every one was free to participate in the exercises or to witness the spectacle of a grateful race doing homage to a cherished name.
Long before the procession appeared upon the streets the sidewalks were lined with people, and the windows were crowded with spectators. The flags upon the Senate and House of Representatives, the public buildings, and many private buildings, were suspended at half-mast.

THE PROCESSION.

Nearly all of the colored organizations in the city took part in the parade, and the vicinity of Seventh and K streets, which was selected as the rendezvous, presented a very animated scene during the formation of