The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1910-08-27
TO COLORED VOTERS
CoIored Minister OF PhOebus Makes
Address In Park
APPEAL FOR TEMPERANCE, ETC.

Rev. A. A. Graham, of Phoebus,
Va. pastor Zion Baptist church, adj
dressed a large crowd in Hurkamp
Park Thursday night and made an ear.
nest appeal to his race on the issues OF
the campaign now on in this city.
On the platform were j. w. Moss,
Essex Howard, d. NJ. Kay, Rev. 5. A.
Brown and Rev. M. Buckner. Rev.
E. j. Richardson made few remarks,
then Rev. S. A. Brown introduced the
speaker, making some telling remarks,
claiming that il was a reflection on the
colOred citizen not to support the white
man on these moral questions. MY
race suffers most from the saloon and
the saloon is the greatest enemy and
curse with which the colored race has
to contend. Also said that the condi-
ton of the negro was better under the
dry town than ever before. They are
living better, and getting more money
in the banks.
Rev. A. A. Graham began by saying
Wherever you find the best white men
and the best black men working to-
gether there is always good being done
and the best of feeling exists, and
where the best black men and the worst
white men are together, there is al
ways trouble. The good feeling be-
tween the races here in fredericksburg
is not due to the saloon, but to the bet
ter element Of the colored men work.
ing for the moral betterment OF the en-
tire city. And feel sure it will con-
tinue if you keep the saloon out OF the
town and make it stay out.
The question as to whether it will
pay or not, does not bother me in the
least. The question that should be
asked is, Will it safeguard the highest
rights and morals of a community
With every white man and black man
the question should be not money, but
a better city, better community, a
better influence, a better home. Is it
safer for me? Is it safer for my wife
and children? A better OF a worse
community is the burning question Of
this day.
Any man who will sell himself should
be driven out.
LIST. What the colored race is TO fight
for is health. Disease makes rapid
strides among our people and If we
spend our small earnings for whiskey
we cant keep our homes and people
away from disease.
Then poverty. 1t is notorious that my
race have the sorriest horses, poorest
buggies and drink the poorest whiskey.
No wonder they are vicious when drunk.
Then crime. Nine tenths of il is
brought on our race by the saloon and
the man who votes to bring the saloon
back TO this town votes to send his boy
TO jail and often worse because of the
increase of crime that comes with it.
The speaker quoted some interesting
figures from counties dry in Virginia
which have a larger population of
colored than whites, showing in
6 counties only about 3 negroes and 4
whites in their jails. He appealed to the
76 negro voters in this town represent
ing /, 740 negroes TO vote the dry ticket
on the 9th Of Sept.
Some say, There was whiskey here
when came and there will be whiskey
here when 60" That may be so.
1.-The devil was here when you came
and he will be where you go.
An earnest appeal was made for his
people to stand for righteousness and
truth. He received the closest attention
and was heartily congratulated by all.
Ii was a strong appeal 10 his race.