The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1917-09-17
PATRIOTIC CLOSE OF
COMMUNITY 4S|NC"
AT CAPITOL PARK
Mothers, Wives and Sweet
hearts of Boys at Front
Given Very Enthusi-
astic Reception

Patriotism ran wild at Capitol park
yesterday afternoon, being occasioned by
the community sing conducted by Prof.
Robert Lawrence, Sunday being the
last day at the park in open air con-
certs for this season. A striking scene
was enacted when the wife of a man
who had gone to the front came to the
platform with her young son and daugh-
ter toddling at her feet, one holding to
each Of her hands. Cheers rent the at
mosphere and many were the threats
that swelled and eyes that grew misty.
The programme was patriotic through
out and intensely interesting and came
cessful effort, wherein Prof Robert
Lawrence has indented the community
singing idea deep into the hearts and
minds of Birmingham people The pro-
gramme began to elicit genuine applause
when Prof Lawrence called for every
mother in the audience who has a son
in active service to come to the plat
form. Many came forward and were
received with cheers. Next was call
for the wives Several responded, but
most striking and appalling was the
young mother who went forward, hold
ing a young son by one hand and a
young daughter by the other. She stood
as picture Of sacrifice, the young
husband and father being with his regi-
ment Somewhere in France The
crowd cheered increasingly over this
incident. and there was trouble In get
ting them back to the next feature Of
the programme. The knitting girls were
called and headed by Miss Margaret
Gage, number of them, accompanied
by their schaperones, marched upon the
platform and stood while the audience
was told that they were engaged in
knitting for the soldier boys. The Req
Cross ladies' were called. and to the tune
Of america" sang God Save Our Men
The city commissioners were presented
and 1t was explained that is was
through their efforts that the Sunday
concerts had been made possible For
they have never laid down on me for a
minute and there has never been a
thing they could do that they have
failed to do when / have asked for it,"
said Prof, Lawrence Mr.. Ward, Mr.
Barber and Mr.. Truss were present
Mr.. Hornady was not able to attend.
The soldiers and drafted men In the
audience were wildly cheered when they
came forward and as an appropriate
finish Prof Lawrence staged a unique
number. as 1t affected all of the allies
He asked for native-born citizen
Of every nationality to come forward,
represented in the list of six allied coun-
tries. native-born Russian woman re-
ceived quite an ovation, as did mem
Der of the band who is a native Of
Belgium, Then France, England. Italy.
America all came In order as little girl
appeared with flag of nationality and
the band played its national air. AS a
fitting climax PROT Lawrence made
this proposition: Els a native-born Ger
man in this audience who will come for
ward and salute the American flag. let
him do So and up walked stately
elderly gentleman and saluted cold
Glory" as the audience Justify cheered
his act.
The audience was dismissed by sin@-
ing AUD Lang Syne." after which
the flag was lowered with the usual
ceremony.