The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1917-04-14

enlistment OF the young WHlte
men of Colfax, and the organiza-
ton and drilling of our home
guard, and also smarting under
the expressed suspicion in some
localities that the negroes were
not loyal, the negroes of Colfax
held a rousing mass meeting
Monday night in their lodge hall
and adopted resolutions affirm
ing their loyalty to the U. S.
government in the war with
Germany. A number of white
citizens were invited to be pres
ent, among those attending be-
ing Mayor ]. @. Long, R. H.
Benton, j. w. Duncan and A. M.
Goodwin, all of whom made
short talks and praised the me-
groes for their patriotic utter
ances. Demonstration Agent
Benton took occasion to give
| them some good advice about
raising food crops instead of cot
ton. He emphasized the point
that soldiers at the front could
not very we'll digest a bale of cot
ton.
| w. V. Meeks, a negro preach
err of more than ordinary intelli-
gence and ability, delivered a pa
trotic address in exceptionally
good language and was highly
complimented by the white list
eners. Simon Mitchell, another
negro of no mean ability, acted
as master of ceremonies, and he
was likewise compIimented by
the white friends present for his
tact and intelligence in presiding.
| At the conclusion of the
speeches II men signed the reso-
utions of loyalty, and asked that
hey be formed into provision
al company, to be drilled and
subject to the orders handed
down by the military headquart-
ers. Mr.. Benton. who is drill
master and captain of the FRO
visional company organized by
the business men of Colfax, as
sured them heSwould give all the
time possible to drilling their
company, and has agreed to give
them an hour for three nights
in the week.
The resolutions and roster fol-
lows:
Whereas, this our government of the
United States of America. of which We
the negroes of Colfax and vicinity are
subjects, has declared war on foreign
nation; and. whereas, we feel that in
the time of war all nationalfties under
this government should in some way
show their loyalty and patriotic dispo-
sition and attitude to the government,
in such crisis; and, whereas, the peo
ola of o<har co<,orof;<;oc ~, Iorco~
strating their loyalty to the flag of our
country by volunteering and sending
their sons to join the main army thai
is in preparation for the protection OF
our government; and, whereas, they
further show their loyalty to the gov
!. eminent and their patriotic disposition
, for the protection of the same, by or
ganizing a, provisional company or com
panies to ADVANCE the spirit of prepar
sdness by being drilled and subject t.
:, the orders handed down from the head
quarters of the U. s. military authori
ties; and, whereas, we the negroes Of
Colfax and vicinity feel that our inter
est is no less involved than theirs; be il
Resolved, That we the negros of Col
fax and vicinity do hereby organize anc
} elect officers in like manner as Other
citizens of this place. Be it further
Resolved, That we subject ourselves
to be drilled under the same rules a.
other provisional companies in the fur.
|, thersnce of the work of preparedness
, for the protection of the United States
, w v Meeks W Glover
I Dennis Williams d F Aaron
, P P Page w B Smith
, E L Allen Allen Cockerham
Q A Franklin ] w White
!. A Burns Joe buckingham
| r. Wochip~fo0 File ppoodox,