The broad ax., 1917-08-04
Grand Lodge Officers Elected for the
Coming Year.

The following resolutions speak for
themselves:
DuQuoin, Illinois, July 10Th, 1917.
Whereas, at its Goth annual session,
held in the City of DuQuoin, Illinois,
the Grand Lodge, Knights of Pythias,
of North America, South America,
Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia,
Jurisdiction of Illinois, has drawn to-
gether representative Colored men
from all parts of the State of Illinois;
and
Whereas, in recent months, the rela-
tion of Colored people to the other peo-
pie of this country have been widely
discussed and severe disturbances of
the general peace have occurred because
of the unreasonable and unjust refusal
of certain people to accord to Colored
citizens the full and equal right, under
the law, to enjoy the fundamental
rights of life and property, which in
clude the right to move freely from
one part of the country to another,
and to work wherever employment may
be found; and
Whereas, the National Association
for the Advancement of Colored People,
in years past, has consistently defended
the citizenship rights of Colored peo-
pie, and has now appealed to US for
assistance in the stress of present con-
ditions:
Wherefore, Be 1t Resolved by the
Grand Lodge, Knights of Pythias of
North America, South America, Europe,
Asia, Africa and Australia, Jurisdic-
ton of Illinois, that the Colored people
by reason of their loyalty and. service,
are part and parcel of the American
citizenry, and of right, ought to be and
are entitled to the full and equal en-
joyment of all the rights of American
citizens; that every agency of the Gov
eminent is bound by law to protect
Colored people against any denial Of
these rights by reason of color or race;
and that it is essential to the security
and advancement of American ideals
of democracy that Colored citizens be
accorded the protection of the forces
of law and Government in the exercise
and enjoyment of the natural and in
alienable rights of all citizens alike.
Be 1t Further Resolved that out
RACES by mobs against Colored people,
especially where no question of crime
is involved, constitute a serious attack
upon American Institutions, and, if not
rebuked and depressed, threaten to de-
stroy the efficiency of our laws, expose
our Country to the contempt of other
nations, and endanger the progress of
democracy throughout the world.
Be 1t Further Resolved that we COM
mend the National Association for the
Advancement of Colored people for its
prompt, vigorous and humane work on
behalf of Colored people.
Be 1t further Resolved that One
Hundred Dollars be appropriated and
placed in the hands of our Grand
Chancellor, to be expended and applied
by him as he shall deem best in the
relief and protection of our people in
this emergency; and that an appeal be
made to our subordinate lodges to take
up voluntary contributions and place
them in the hands of our Grand Chan
cellor, to be likewise expended and ap-
piled by him as he may deem best for
said purpose.
Be 1t Further Resolved, that copy
of these Resolutions be sent Honorable
Frank o. Lowden, Governor of Illinois,
and to Honorable Samuel insult, Chair
man of the Illinois State Council of
Defense, and to the Press of the Coun-
try.
s. A. T. WATKINS,
R. A. J. SHAW,