“The
colored people of Hamilton celebrated the day dear to their hearts at the
Crystal Palace yesterday in right royal style.”
Hamilton
Spectator. August 3, 1886.
Held
under the auspices of Mount Brydges Lodge, No. 1861, G.U.O. of O.F, the annual
celebration of Emancipation Day in Hamilton on Saturday, August 1, 1886 was
unusual in that Hamilton was selected as the location for visitors from many
places:
“Trainloads
of brethren from other cities came in during the morning. Three or four crowded
cars came in from Buffalo, Niagara Falls, and St. Catherines, four cars from
Toronto, Oakville and Bronte, and as many more from Chatham and London.1
1 “Emancipation
Day : Demonstration Under the Auspices of Mount Brydges Lodge, G.U.O.O.F.”
Hamilton Spectator. August 03, 1886.
The
Hamilton hosts had planned a full day of special events to take place throughout
the day, the first beginning soon after all the visitors had gathered in the
downtown core:
“About
11 o’clock in the morning, the procession formed at the Gore, and after
parading the principal streets, moved to the Palace in the following order:
James
Lawrie, grand marshal, mounted
Chatham
Brass Band
Hacks
containing George Morton, district secretary
Rev.
J. A. Johnson and prominent visitors of the order,
and
members of the Household of Ruth.
Mount
Brydges Lodge, G.U.O.O.F.,
Members
of the House of Ruth in carriages
London
Brass Band
Visiting
brethren.
“The
crowd was augmented by another large party from Toronto carrying a brass band,
and altogether over 1,000 people participated in the celebration of the day on
which slavery’s shackles were broken and the descendants of Ham became free.”1
The
Spectator account of the day was published on August 3, 1886:
“A
splendid programme of games, including a couple of baseball matches, were
prepared, and nothing was left undone to make the day thoroughly pleasant and
enjoyable. But that is something Mount Brydges lodge invariably does with
whatever it takes in hand.
“At
the Crystal Palace, eloquent addresses were delivered to the assembled throng
by Rev. J.A. Johnson, of the A.M.E. church of the city; Henry Thompson, of
Buffalo; and Rev. J.B. Roberts, of Oakville, formerly of Hamilton.
“The
addresses were all excellent and met with liberal applause. Rev. Mr. Johnson
reviewed the history of emancipation, his remarks embracing an exhaustive study
of the causes, men and influence that led to the freedom of the race.
“After
the speaking was concluded, the games were commenced with a baseball match
between Brantford and Hamilton nines. Two juvenile clubs played a team of
white-skinned lads against some dusky youngsters. The white boys won and the
score was 21 to 3.
“The
ball in the evening was a grand affair. The Palace roller rink was secured for
the occasion, and before 9 o’clock, the place was so crowded that it was almost
impossible to get around – except on that portion of the floor reserved for promenaders.
“And
then the dance. Prof. J. Gant was the chief floor manager, and was distinguished
by a white rosette.
“The
whole day passed off peacefully and quietly.
Everybody attending got the full measure of enjoyment, and when that is said,
what more is there for a reporter to chronicle?”1
No comments:
Post a Comment