The Columbus commercial. (Columbus, Miss.) 1893-1922, 1917-04-29
"A I7I0TIG RESOLUTIONS
Al0PTEG BY LOCAL NEGROES
MEMBERS or HAcE DioLD fH
rHU8iAsTiC MEETING At
bhPTi3T CHURCH

With tte vtu of aucstng their
patriotism aud vi.Irmsa lo aetvo
the government i1 iJl tine of need
negroes of Columbus ual Thurs las
held meeting at the Missionary
Union Bapt church on North 1th
avenue, and adopted resolution
p.cdgug themselves 10 serve the goy.
crnment in any manner that its of
ficials may deem necessary TO best
conserve its welfare.
The meeting was opened by the
singing Of America and besides
talks by pastors Of the various negro
churches and other well known col
ored men participating therein there
were addresses by three prominent
white citizens, Prof. Dabney Lips
comb, vice-president Of the Missis-
sippi Industrial Institute and College
Rev, W l.. Duren, pastor of the
First Methodist church, and DR.. J.
W. Lipscomb, a well known physi-
clan.
Prof. Dabney Lipscomb took for
his theme the address which Presi-
dent Wilson recently delivered TO
Congress, impressing upon the ne
groes the fact that, as pointed out by
the president, The best way in which
they can help theireountry is by stay
ing at home and working hard Ii
fields and shops to produce food and
other necessities for the soldiers who
are fighting at the front.
Following Prof, Lipscomb's ad-
dress the negroes adopted a resolu-
ton promising to be guided by the |
advice Of President Wilson and to de- |
vote their energies towards the i'm
proyement Of health and morals |
among members Of the race and 6, |
the production of more abundan. |
food crops. The resolution follows /
Whereas, a crisis in the history of |
our beloved country and the civilized
world now confronts usy and the
peace, prosperity and liberty of this
and all other lands depend on the
outcome OF the world war in which
the United States is now actively en-
gagged and
Whereas, the president OF the
United States in his great proclama
ion to the American people on April
10th, clearly setting before then
their gigantic task, appeals to every
citizen of the ration to help to III
utmost TO solve the many problem
that face us, as we enter q terrible
war for the rights Of mankind and
he future peace and security of the
world, and
Whereas. We deem It right anf
oroper in this solemn and crit,ca
hour Of our national history that suit
able and unequ.focal expression
made Of our patriotism and willing.
ness to serve our state and nation IN
every way possible; in response to
he sacred obligations Of citizenship
and the cell TO service by the presi-
lent, we the negro citizens Of Co.
umbu5 and Lowndes county in mas
meeting assembled, adopt the follow
ng resolutions;
! Resolved, That in compliance
With the wise counsels and exhorta
ions Of the great leaders Of the ne
ion Of both the white and the negro
race, we shall endeayor quietly and
earnestly to perform whatever dutie
md riake whatever sacrifices ths
safety and welfare Of our country +
nay require Of VS.; and that we shal
andeayor to inatill this spirit Of pat
r,otic service into the minds and
hearts Of all our people; SO that wher
The history Of this greatest of war
IS written the record may be clea,
that negroes as well as whites en-
listed nobly N the great Service
Army" Of the nation, and by faith
fulness aE the posts assigned to them
contributed to the glorious victory
for safety and democracy through
out the world.
2. That while we are willing t
serve whenever and wherever called
we appreciate the fact that in help
ing to make the food and clothin
and in transporting the goods need
ed BY this and friendly nations we
can most promptly and effectively
assist in bringing to q speedy an
happy termination this horrible world
war. Hence, we approve and pledge
ourselves to cooperate heartily in the
planned for greater in-l,