Fifteenth Amendment Celebration
Cincinnati Enquirer, 28 May 1870, page 7
NEWPORT
Pursuant to announcement through the press, the first public
meeting of the colored citizens of Newport for the consideration of a matter
involving their duties as newly made citizens, was held at Fireman's Hall on
Thursday night.
The novelty of the affair also attracted a number of prominent citizens, who seemed greatly interested in observing the deportment of their colored fellow citizens. The latter made quite a favorable impression by their quiet, orderly deportment and their evident genuine appreciation of their importance and true merits of the question involved.
Negligence on the part of those having made the arrangements for the meeting in charge prevented the opening of the hall until so late an hour that many came and left, supposing their would be no meeting. Quite a respectable number of colored men, however, remained and the meeting organized by calling Burrill Lumpkin to the chair and elected Robert Littleton Secretary.
On motion of Cary Bell, a committee of three, consisting of Charles Johnston, John James and Isaac Henson, was appointed to draft resolutions expressive of the sense of the meeting.
During their deliberations Major W G Terrell, who seemed to possess the unbounded confidence of the colored people, addressed the meeting in behalf of the Licking and Big Sandy enterprise, in a plain logical manner. He reminded them that this was their first opportunity since the adoption of the Fifteenth Amendment to exercise their right of franchise upon any public question and hoped that they were the friends of progress and improvement. He argued that the proposed road would be of incalculable advantage to the great mass of the people of Newport.
As a property owner and tax payer, he felt that it was to his interest to aid the construction of the Licking and Big Sandy Road, and the mechanics and laboring men were even more deeply interested in the success of the enterprise. He urged the colored voters to take their position among the live men of the city, who were in favor of public improvements and not to be found fighting the battles of the immense land holders of the vicinity, who were a stumbling block to every enterprise undertaken to increase the wealth and importance of the city.
At this point Albert S Berry entered the hall and was greeted with applause. Although suffering from severe hoarseness consequent upon continuous speaking throughout the county, he addressed the meeting in a very happy manner for about fifteen minutes.
The Committee on Resolutions then offered the following, which was unanimously adopted:
"WHEREAS, We the colored citizens of the city of Newport have been by the Government of the United States endowed with all the rights and privileges of citizens thereof, and feeling grateful therefore, and a deep interest in her welfare and in the advancement, growth and prosperity of our city, county and State; therefore be it:
Resolved, That believing that the proposed Licking and Big Sandy railroad will greatly aid in securing such advancement, growth and prosperity, we will advocate and vote solidly on Saturday next for the subscription of $500,000 by Campbell County to the capital stock of said company."
After some further remarks by Major Terrell, on motion, the meeting adjourned.
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Cincinnati Enquirer, 8 July 1870, page 7
NEWPORT
COLORED CELEBRATION-The colored people of Newport and Covington will have a grand picnic and celebration of the Fifteenth Amendment at Taylor's Grove on Thursday next, the 14th inst. Speeches will be made by Rev Peter H Clark, Carey Bell, O W Root, H S Lyon and others.
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Covington Journal, 9 July 1870, page 3
The "culled folks" of Kenton and Campbell counties will celebrate
the passage of the Fifteenth Amendment by a grad picnic at Taylor's Grove on
Thursday next, July 14.
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NOTE: The Fifteenth Amendment was ratified 3 February 1870.