Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1917-06-19
OPENING Gun IN
CAMPAIGN FIRED
HERE LAST NIGHT.

The comprehensive campaign that is
expected to secure $4,000 in Sumter
county for the American Red Cross,
was opened last night when Judge
Walter T. Colquitt, of Atlanta, deliv-
cred stirring appeal before repre-
sentative audience gathered at a pa |
triotic mass meeting held in the Opera
House
The Americas and Sumter County
chapter of the Red Cross has perfected
plans to observe RED Cross Week
and assist in the raising of the $100. i
100000 fund that is to be used for the
relief of Uncle Sans soldiers fighting
against the Teutons across the seas.
Last nights mass meeting was the
opening gun of the local campaign and
this morning canvassing committees
are busy covering every section of the
city soliciting financial assistance for
the Red Cross work.
The Opera House was appropriately
decorated for the occasion with flags
and flowers, H G. Stanfield having
this feature in charge. After the in
vocation by Rev. James B. Lawrence,
the audience rose and sang America,
this number on the program being fol |
lowed by a most impressive rendition
OF Kipling's "Recessional" by Miss Su- |
sic Stallings. The speaker of the ev-
ening was introduced by e. A. Nisbet. |
who in explaining the object OF the
gathering declared that the war iE
which the United States has pledged its
vast resources of military power andl
wealth, is not only against the German
Emperor, but against the entire Ger
man people who have evinced their
willingness to carry out the barbaric
1lans of destruction formulated by the
1euton leaders.
Judge Colquitt in opening his ad-
dress, explained the usefulness of the
Red Cross in time of peace as we'll as
in war, but declared that it's value in
the present world conflict can be esti-
mated by no human calculation. In .
describing the pitiful plight of Bel
GUM as the result of the German in
yasion, he asserted that the Red Cross
organization is daily feeding 100000
Belgians whose only source of help is |
the money sent through Red Cross
channels.
The speaker briefly outlined the Sc
ries of outrages which has resulted in
arraying almost the entire world
against the Teutonic armies, and ex |
\ulained that the United States has
entered the war to preserve the prin-
ciples of justice and human liberty.
America has answered the call for
ihe Liberty Loan" and that she Will
answer the appeal Of the Red Cross for
its s100, ,000 ,000 war fund just as con
scientiously, was Judge Colquitt's pro
phesy.
1T costs $65,OO0,0OO daily to carry
on the work of destruction" said the
sneaker. and the Red Cross is asking
for only a little more than one days
war cost to carry On the work of re-
ljeying human suffering among the
soldiers who are fighting for the prin-
c:ples of civilization
1--WE must send the Red Cross alons
with the American troops" declared
Judge Colquitt. 1T would be foolhardy
to wait until they were wounded and
diving on the battlefield before provid-
ing medical attention for them"
In concluding his address, the
sneaker asserted that the Red Cross
Glands for preparedness, and that the
present campaign for funds is an ap-
noal for to the great American nation
:, rescue the heart of suffering hu
manity.
stephen Pace, president of the lo-II
cal Red Cross chapter, outlined the
r1an of campaign to be pursued IN
Americus and Sumter county, and made
!, snecial appeal to the citizens OF this
section to support the work by their
contributions.
The mass meeting came to an end
with the benediction pronounced by
Rev. ]. B. Lawrence, after the audi
nee had risen to sing the Star Span
sled Banner