The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-06-19
FOURTH OF JULY CELlIBR.i-
TION.
Negroes OF Sumter County Plan Big
Patriotic Rally.

III VIII PiidnCc with the request OF
the United States food administration
that there be big patriotic 4th Of July
celebrations by the negroes through
out the country, MI q. A. Lennon
the sumter county food administrat or
called meeting at Chamber of Com
merce last Saturday, which was at
tended by about fifty-fve members OF
the Sumter County Colored Council
| or Defense, and other leading colored
men OF Sumter and Sumter county.
IL. l. Reardon, assistant county food
administrator addressed the meeting
| explaining the objects of the celebra-
tion, read the requests and suggested
program from the United States food
administration and from William Ell
lott, federal food administrator for
South Carolina.
Inc response was enthusiastic, pa
triotlc and inspiring as several of the
le;ding cOlored men spoke eloquently
NNNN'o WV 'iico liittl tIlS is our war,
and the colored race, as one speaker
said, rs in it" to the last ditch, the
last dollar and the last negro to lick
the kaiser to frazzle.
One speaker said he thought tina,
the contributions of the colored peo-
pie of this county to the Red Cros.
fund, and their purchases of Liberty
Loan bonds, and War Savings stamp
and reports OF colored patriotic meet.
ings should be given more publicity
as indicating the patriotism of the
colored race in Sumter county, and
that recognition by full publication
would do lot to encourage the ne
groes to further acts of patriotism.
Rev. A. ]. Andrews of Sumter was
elected chairman and DR.. l.. Bragg
Anthony, secretary of the meeting,
and later made permanent chairman
and secretary of the 4th of July cele-
bration.
1t was decided to try to secure
company of colored soldiers from
Camp Jackson to march in the big
parade, and also to try to get one OF
more colored lieutenants from that
camp to address the crowds
An effort will be made to raise suf-
ticient money to have first class bani
for the parade and the big patriotic
meeting also.
1t is hoped to have out Of door con-
ferences for farmers, Sunday schoo
teachers, women's clubs, exhibits
food, vegetables, live stock. etc. AM
booths for w. S. S., United States La
Dor Exchange, and Red Cross contri-
buttons on the picnic grounds.
A song service on large scale will
choir of one thousand voices is q
contemplated feature Of the occasion
The program has not been complet-
ed as yet. but is being shaped up by
special committee. If the detach-
ment of colored soldiers can be Sc
cured the soldiers will be entertained
in the homes Of the leading colored
citizens of this city All stands 70
drinks and refreshments will be re
quired to donate u certain percentag
Of the proceeds to the Red Cross.
The following committees were ap
pointed: Committee on entertainment
OF soldiers, speakers and securing tn
band: Rev. j. j. Stark, ID. d., chair
man; Rev. T.. G. Perry, DR.. G. w
Birnie. DR.. G. w. Maxwell, Il. w
Wcstberry, State COlOred Council O .
Defense chairman; Rev. l. w. WI
liams, Rev. j. w. Moultrie.
Committee on arrangements, place
or any other necessity: T.. L.. Jones'
chairman; DR.. l.. Bragg Anthony, i.
w. Gregg. j. II. Mitchell Seymou
Howard. Frank Martin. Rev. G.. w
Spivey Rev. Zuric Holmes, Rev. G.. B
Tilman, Rev. f.. w. Dix, Rev. =. T.
Capjers, p b. Bruner, Rev. a. r.
Howard. Rev. II. b. Curry.
Finance committee on funds for ex-
penses: S. j. Mcdonald, chairman
Rev. r. b. Curry, Seymour Howard