The Denver star., 1917-05-19
PLEDGE NATION
LOYAL SUPPORT
Two Thousand Attend Patriotic
Meeting at Hampton.
STUDENTS SING MELODIES
Thrilling Addresses by Many Notablss,
America First" a. Keynote. Fsa-
tursd Great Sunday Mass Meeting.
Warm Tributes Paid Old Veterans
From the Soldiers Homo.
BY W. ANTHONY AERY.


BY W. ANTHONY AERY.
Hampton, Va.-That there should be
no question of the Negros loyalty ia
President Wilson in the present crisis
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.. Fl. B. Fris-
sell, Hampton's principal. Two thou
sand citizens were in attendance.
Mayor Thomas L. sclater Of Hamp.
ton, Rev. ]. w. Patterson, pastor of
the First Baptist church, Hampton
General Joseph 8. Smith, governor OF
the Soldiers' home, Hampton; Colonel
w. 8. 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 aud colOred peo-
pie to wage the present war with sim
gleness Of purpose and with the deter
4uAtAOh Shat A"SANohAoAA 0ASoio
prevail over czarism and kaiser1sm."
DR. Frisssl1 called upon the Rev. d.
H. Hamilton Of st. Cyprian's, Hamp-
ton, to open the meeting with prayer
and said: I'VE are all to go forward
to do whatever 10 before US. We are
ready, white aud colored alike, to
serve our country In any way We are
called upon" From the soldiers' home
there came hoary headed colored SOL
diers, to whose loyalty and patriotism
warm tributes we're paid by all speak
ers. Prominent virginians. white and
colored; over 900 Hampton institute
students, officers and soldiers from
Fort Monroe, rich and poor, men and
women of different stations and races
all 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
6Ank want " DC neduN
Lords A-ridin' All the Time" and
Wasn't That Wide River to Crossr'
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 a 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 a. loyal
and patriotic as the people Of any coun-
try In the world. Our country needs
our service. We will all rally to the
country's call. We will all be willing
to serve our country with honor and
credit"
Rev. ]. W. Patterson said: War is
upon US. This is not the time to ask or
answer questions. President Wilson
did his best to avert war. What part
are we going to take? This Il not .
question for white or black people.
This is no time for race issues. This is
our country. White and black people
through their representatives have de-
clared war. We have a common cause
We are all called upon to serve the
country The time for decision is al
hand. We should volunteer to give our
hearts, our hands-everything to the
prosecution Of this war. Legally to
the country, love to God and nan-this
10 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
poem, ION With the Hats as the Flag
Goes By" ]. Thomas Newsome OF
Newport News, an attorney at law,
said: II 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 a foreign
foe"
Colonel Copeland declared that the
quality Of citizenship is measured by
what one can do and Is willing to do
''The Negro has always been found
with his face to the front, following
the fag," he said. II wish ] could be al
sure OF every other race In America ~
I am sure Of the Negro race. The
Anglo Saxon and Negro will stand
shoulder to shoulder In this crisis"
Rev. A. A. Graham. chairman Of the
executive committee Of the Negro Or.
ganization Society Of Virginia. said
THE Negro will require no coaching OF
artificial stimulation to be loyal and