Democratic Sentinel, Volume 18, Number 5, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 February 1894 — THE LIMEKILN CLUB. [ARTICLE]

THE LIMEKILN CLUB.

Hon. Standoff Johnson’s Appeal for the Cakewalk. When the routine proceedings of the Limekiln Club Saturday night meeting had been disposed of, Bro. Gardner arose and announced that the Hon. Standoff Johnson of Alabama was in the anteroom and anxious to address the club on the subject of the cakewalk—a matter dear to the heart of every colored man, woman anj child in this fair land. He had not only made a long journey with this address in view, but was considered the highest and best authority in the United States. On motion of Giveadam Jones it was decided that he Bhould be given an opportunity to speak. While the Reception Committee were absent from the mom Bro. Gardner ordered two more candles to be lighted and one of the alley windows lowered from the top, and Shindig Watkins and Samuel Shin, both of whom have consumptive coughs which can be heard 80 rods against the wind, were allowed to go home. The Hon. Johnson was then brought in by the Reception Committee and received in an enthusiastic manner. He was a well-formed, two-story man of middle age, with whiskers on his chin, and there was a certain magnetism about his cool, calm demeanor. He bowed right and left,, shook hands with Bro. Gardner and Sir Isaac Walpole In a very hearty manner and began: “My fren’s a crisis hasarrove in de history of de cull’d people of America. While de white man has bin officiously grantin’ us political an’ civil rights he has bln at de same time privately conspirin’ to rob us of one of de greatest an’ most sacred privileges handed down by our forefathers. Right yere in my pocket I hev a list of 50 newspapers an’ 100 membrs of Congriss who am pledged to secure de enactment of a law forbiddin’ any cull'd pusson or pusson’s from originatin' or boldin’or attendin’ dat, sacred instltushln known as a cakewalk.” (Intense excitement.) “ De conspiracy originated ober five y’ars ago, butde movements of de conspirators war so quiet, dat nuffin was known of ’m till about three months since. Deobjlckwas togit, all ready an’ don suddenly jump on us with boas feet, but thank lieaben dat, wo har heard de alarm an’ hev de power to checkmate de conspiracy! (Cheers.) All ober dls land de cull’d men and women am rlsln’ up to protest in thunderous tones agin this great wrong to anashum of 6,000,000 people. (Yells.) 1 am hero to-night to receive de protest of dls Limekiln Club. I shall visit ebery city in de Norf wid the sains objick, an’ befo’ de noxt, Congriss meets dar will be such a wave of indignashun sweepln’ober dls kentry dat do white men will tremble in his butes i (Vociferous applause.) " What am de cakewalk? I answer dat It am a social instituslmn handed down to us from de sacred past. De ideah was to gat her an assemblage of wit, beauty an’ intelligence fur mutual improvement. Bein’ gathered together, yo’ might as well walk as to sit down on a hard bottomed chdr. Bein’ on de walk, yo’ might as well walk fur a cake as fur fun. (Continued cheering.) It am next to a prayer rneetin’ fur innocence. It is sunthin' enjoyed by de ole man an’ do young chile alike. It am to us what a soiree am to de white folks, bnt bekase we git, a heap mo’ fun out of It do white folks am mad an’ want to abolish it. Shall wo bend our necks tado tyrants' heel, or shall werizup in our majesty on' shod our blood to uphold our rights? (Loud cries in favor of shedding the last drop.) “I expected it,” said, the Hon. Standoff, as the dust settled down and the splinters ceased flying. “I fully believed I could count on*de patriotism of dis Limekiln Club from ■ Brudder Gardner down to Elder Toots. l)e kentry looks to dis club to taked© lead in dis matter an' to maintain ifc. De cakewalk must be preserved an* handed down to our children as it haa bin handed down to us. De white man has deprived us of our possum bake©, our persimmon festivals an’ our yam socials, but he must stop right dar. We hev reached de ded line. Let him bewa’ befo’ dis kentry swims in blood an' revels in gore. (Wild applause.) Arter de rneetin' has brok© in two yo' will find me in de anteroom wid a protest ready fur yo’r signatures. I hope an’ expect ebery member to sign it an' de names of slch as am willing to die, if needs be, to uphold our cause will be marked by a cross in red ink an' preserved among de heroes and martyrs of de tocher.— [St. Louis Republic.