Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-10-27
ALL HONOR PAID
TO COLORED MEN
City Witnesses Demonstration
Which Breathes Patriotism
and Enthusiasm.
MEETING FOLLOWS PARADE
City Auditorium Is Packed-Con-
tingent Leaves for Camp
Lee To-Day.
MEETING FOLLOWS PARADE

Wndt WAS unuouOtedlS the most en-
thusiastic and most patriotic demon
stration ever undertaken by the COL
orcd people OF Richmond took place
last night. when a monster parade.
three miles in length. and n great mass
meeting was held At the City Audi
iorium a3 tinal tribute to the first
contingent OF colored drafted men who
leave for Camp i.ee this morning Many
Of the people OF the city stated that the
celebration was ono of the finest OK
hibitioi.s of patriotism and loyalty ever
seen in the city. II seemed as though
every cClored person IN the CITY turned
out to bid farewell to departing
friends
Starting from 81. James Street to
Leigh Street. to Eighth street to Broad
street to Eclviderc Street, TO Frank
lin street. to Laurel street, to Cary
street and to the city Auditorium the
parade moved, parade composed Of
every colorod organization in the CITY,
among them the Colonel Branch Of the
American Red Cross. school children.
lodges and ether organizations repre-
sentative OF the race in the city
MAYOR AlNSLE FIRST
SPEAKER CN PROGRAM
Long before the divisions Of the pa
rade arrived at the Auditorium. the
gallery was filed. and after persons
In the parade took their seats there
was not an empty seat in the house
1t was simply the outpou-inE of COL
ored people for definite purpose. and
that purpose was their desire TO hear
the farewell einarks OF prominent
speakers to the drafted men
The meeting was opened with the
singing OF America followed bv
prayer. Rev. ". T. johnson, the NOV
ing spirit in he celebration. presided
and In opening the meeting said tina,
the coloreG people were gathered TO-
gether Ito do lonor to men who are
willing 10 lay down their lives for
democracy"
Mayor Ainslic was the frs, sneaker
ana he opened his address by saving
that If the German Kaiser could VIII
! ness the gathering he would rccoenizc
the fact that America was determine ed
/ 10 win the war. NO nation has stood
moro insults from another nation than
has the United States but when these
insults became unbearable. the Prcsi
dent struck and we shall continue to
stFiEc until German military autocracv
- crushed. said the Mayor He an
peaied to the colored men to remember
mat they are Americans and Virgin.
ians. and that they should do all in
their power to reflect honor on the
State and country.
y very eloquent address was deliv-
cred by John Mitchell. Jr.. editor of
drafted men to fight till the last drop
OF blood In their veins. remind
ing them they fought for a noble cause
and that they should acquit themselves
in way that will reflect honor and
glory on the colored race.
IMPRESSIVE ADDRESSES
By MEN AND WOMEN
Following this address was the
speech of John Stewart Bryan. who
struck the keynote OF the meeting
when he said that glory is not the
glory OF any color. fame is not the heri-
tagc OF any race and for that reason I
call upon YOU drafted men to be strong
and courageous. be mindful OF your
duty and come back to Virginia covered
with honor and victory"
Several other impressive speeches
were delivered by the following: Or.
Roscoe c. Brown, colored; Maggie Wal
ker. colorcd. and Dr -
called forth applause when he said. lit
matters not where they carry the flag.
YOU follow it; and if they shoot away
the flag carry on the staff"
The meeting was brought TO close
with short talks by Mrs. John Stewart
Bryan. Mrs. B. B. Munford. Colema n
Wortham, Fl. w. Ellerson. Mary L..
CONTINUED on Second Page.)