The Twin City star. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1910-19??, 1917-05-12
PLEDGE NATION
LOYAL SUPPORT
Two Thousand Attend Patriotic
Meeting At Hampton.
STUDENTS SING MELODIES

SIUDEHS N6 mEtUD|ES
Thrilling Addresses by Many Notablss,
"Amsrloal First" a. Keynote, Fsa.
: tursd Great Sunday Mass Meeting.
Warm Tributes Paid Old Veterans
From the soIdisrs' Home.
By w. ANTHONY AERY.
Hampton, Va.-That there should be
no question Of the Negro's loyalty to
President Wilson in the present crisi,
or his unwavering patriotism was
clearly shown in the addresses of
white and colored leaders which were
delivered on a recent Sunday afternoon
at the Hampton institute patriotic
mass meeting. The meeting was called
and presided over by DR.. II. B. Fris-
ssll. Hampton's principal. Two thou.
sand citizens were In attendance.
Mayor Thomas L. Sclater Of Hamp.
ton, Rev. ]. w. Patterson, pastor of
tho First Baptist church, Hampton;
General Joseph 8. Smith, governor Of
the Soldiers home, Hampton; Colonel
w. 9. Copeland, editor Of the Daily
Press and Times Herald; Rev. A. A
Graham, pastor Of Zion church, Phoe'
bus-all expressed in vigorous words
the intention Of white and cOlored peO
pie to wage the present war with sin
gieness Of purpose and with the deter.
mination that "Americanism should
prevail over czarism and kaiserism."
DR.. Frissell called upon the Rev. E.
81. Hamilton Of st. Cyprian's, Hamp-
ton, to open the meeting with prsyer
and said: I'VE are all to go forward
to do whatever is before us. We are
ready, white and eOlored alike. to
serve our country in any way We are
called upon" From the Soldiers home
there came hOary headed colored SOL
diefs. to whose loyalty and patriotism
warm tributes were paid by all speak.
ers. Prominent Virginians. white and
colored; over 800 Hampton institute
students, officers and soldiers from
Fort Monroe. rich and poor, men and
women of different stations and races
ali Joined heartily in applauding the
patriotic addresses and In singing pa
triotic songs.
While the audience was assembling
the Soldiers Home band. which had
escorted General Smith and his. com.
rades, played patriotic and religious
melodies. The meeting was opened and
closed with the singing Of America"
The Hampton chorus of 900 voices
sang II Want to Be Ready" my
Lords A-ridin' All the Time" and
Wasn't That Wide River to CrossT'
The audience also sang with spirit
'The Battle Hymn Of the Republic"
Great enthusiasm was created by the
singing Of "The Old Flag Has Never
Touched the Ground" by quartet Of
Hampton graduates.
Mayor Sclater said: Now, we have
only one course to pursue: we must de-
fend our honor and rights; we must
prepare for all emergencies. Our peo-
pie, white and colored, are patriotic.
We are here to listen to patriotic and
loyal addresses, so as to better pre-
pare ourselves to serve our country.
The people Of our country are as loyal
and patriotic as the people Of any coun-
try In the world. Our country needs
our service. We win all rally to the
country's call. We will all be willing
to serve our country with honor and
credit"
Rev. J. w. Patterson said: War Is
upon us. This is not the time to ask or
answer questions. President Wilson
did bis best to avert war. What part
are we going to take?> This is not
question for white or black people.
This II no time for race issues. This Is
our country. White and black people
through their representatives have de-
clared war. We have q common cause.
We are all called upon to serve the
country. The time for decision Is at
hand. We should volunteer to give our
hearts, our hands-everything to the
prosecution Of this war. Loyalty to
the country, love to God and man-this
Ia our duty"
General Smith testified, with vigor
and sincerity, to the loyalty and pa.
triotism of Negroes, whom he has
known SO well as soldiers. Captain
Ray Of the Soldiers home read a fine
poem, "Off With the Hats as the Flag
Goes By" ]. Thomas Newsome OF
Newport News. an attorney at law,
said: ~ know of nothing that could
give me more pleasure than to add my
word of approval to the efforts being
put forth by you to disabuse the minds
Of that small portion Of the public
which gives credence to the report that
the Negro race In any considerable
numbers will lift its hand against the
government now that it faces foreign
foe"
Colonel Copeland declared that the