The forum. [volume] (Springfield, Ill.) 1904-192?, 1917-01-13
Fifteenth ANNIVERSARY
OF THE BOSTON GUARDIAN
Many Notable Speakers Applaud Work
Of Editor w. M. Trotter.

Boston.-The monster celebration of
the fifteenth anniversary of the Boston
Guardian, held at Zion church, in this
city, recently, breathed with the spirit
of loyalty to the Guardian and the
principles 1t stands for, For every
right with all our might" The occa-
sion was veritable love feast for the
interested friends who have fought the
race battles for equality of rights and
against the wrongs of segregation and
discrimination, jimcrow cars and all
other race determinations wherever
found, without compromise and with
out fear.
The speakers recalled many of the
stirring scenes of the past fifteen
years, each one recording a memorable
battle or a memorable victory for the
cause of equality of citizenship and af-
firming those policies and principles of
action on the part of the members of
the race brotherhood everywhere which
would give assurance OF the strength
ening and securing of the rights we
now enjoy and carry US forward in the
line of conquest of other privileges and
liberties until full equality of privilege
and opportunity shall be accorded to
every member of the race in every part
of this broad land.
Among the speakers were DR.. C. p.
Russell, w. Hall Jackson, Miss Eliza
Gardner, Rev. A. W. Fuller, Rev. NJ.
W. Thornton, Rev. w. d. Brigham, DR..
Alice McKane, G. K. Margetson, Rev.
II. w. Swain, Hon. Moorfield Storey,
DIR. w. A. Sinclair Of Philadelphia, J. s.
Gains, Hon. W. II. Lewis, Emery T.
Morris, Miss Elizabeth c. Putnam, G.
II. Scales, Esq., A. A. Perry and w. NJ.
Trotter.
The dramatic moment came when
Chairman Russell introduced Hon
William II. Lewis, former assistant at.
torney general of the United States,
one of the chief objects of the Guard
ian's attacks for some years. He was
given great applause and spoke very
impressively and eloquently, saying
that he was glad to come into the
church In which he presided at meet
ing where Mr.. Trotter took issue with
a former race leader. He spoke of the
beginnings, when he was present al
the wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Trotter in
their beautiful home ON the hill and
paid Mrs. Trotter a delicate compli
ment. He spoke of working with Trot
ter against "The Birth of Nation
and pledged cooperation.
The speaker In calm retrospect re-
cited many of the stirring scenes and
| events when the Guardian and Its
faithful friends In Boston were max
ing race history, such as the founding
of the paper by Its present editor, vii
liam M. Trotter and others, the contro
versy with Booker II. Washington al
Zion church, when Editor Trotter was
arrested and sent to JAIL the fighi
against the photo play Birth of Ma
tion," the celebrated Bosfield case, etc
But by far the most interesting and
important feature of this celebration
was the coming together of the sew.
eral opposing factions of Boston's col
ored citizens, who had been split asun
der and fighting for the several con
flicting issues that had been raised
among them. Here In this celebration
the big chiefs buried the Ratchet and
smoked together the pipe of peace, and
now the spirit of good fellowship once
more reigns supreme.
With a united front and unbroken
ranks they once more turn to renew
the warfare against race discrimina
ton, segregation and lynching. This
fact is prophetic of Frightening flu,
ture. This is the springtime of the
races hopes in America, and the
Guardian must plant the seeds of hope
in the heart of every reader and water
them with words of wisdom and the
inspiration of lofty ideals of citizen
ship full and complete. Nothing less is
the goal to be striven for. May it carry
high the watchword inscribed on its
| banner "For every right with all our
| might"