The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1918-05-18
BY chas. A. Starks.

They were there, ten thousand
strong! A grander sight was never
looked upon by this good old race of
ours in greater Kansas City. 1t was
at Convention Hall; where else could
1t be? The Colored people were there
waiting and watching and when the
first float of the Pageant swung like
gliding magic into the presence of
that great crowd, "the spirit of 1918,"
became a frenzy. And they came,
float after float picturing and demon
strating the all-important thoughts of
the day. If the Kaiser himself in
some way could have peered through
the roof of the hall and took note of
all that was passing he probably
would have been astounded at what
he would have discovered He would
have asked himself: What manner of
people is this By Kaiser! / thought
America white Nation! But surely
it is black! And those dusky figures
bearing arms surely I've seen those
around Verdun. They look like the
black hordes the English and French
turned loose on my noble boche in
that wonderful battle. But here's
new menace, these folks here, l must
stop this!" The old gent would have
given his immortal mustache a
wrench and gone his way with mis-
givings.
But watchman what of the night?
Outside it was a trifle cool though at
Intervals an emmolient breath would
come caressingly, a pleasant reminder
of awaking spring. On the inside all
is aglow The bright lights charm
away every vestige of night and with
their own mingled hues turn the
orange and green ceiling into daz-
zling canopy of glory discovering the
steely arms which sustain and girdle
the mass of roof overtop. High up
In the North end of the building, done
/ nred, white and blue incandescent
= lights stand two flags bristling and
drumming their silent language of
patriotism and loyalty to the stars
and stripes forever!
This time there were no vacant
seats, all were filled. Late arrivals
had to stand in the passageways Of
the balconies, while all around the big
arena sat solid ring of black human
ity appreciative of the five hundred
youthful performers of Lincoln High
School and in return appreciated by
them. 1t was a fine, grand crowd!
Intelligent, our best 1t was good ma
tured. Bright, happy, joyous with the
impulse of the moment. In one of
the brief lulls the audience took az
sportive turn when it cheered the big
and venerable custodian of the Lin
coin High School building who walk
ed across the arena to the orchestra
in the execution of some order. The
people seemed in excellent humor and
showed a just pride in the perform
ance at every pointed detail.
Lees Organization.
Before we give our brief review of
the exercises, we call your attention
to the Sociological aspects of this
event, because we are apt to overlook
these portents of our social develop
ment For instance, only three years
ago our big social as well as educa-
tional affair was the commencement
exercises of the High School, held in
a building which was signally made
quate. This has been remedied by
securing the Master hall which is su-
premely sufficient. This also has
helped to inspire and foster several
great gatherings within year. This
coming together in large intelligent
numbers will tend to give us, In the
course of time, big National spirit,
a most desirable thing. We owe much
to Principal Lee of the School in ques-
ton. He has changed the drift and
tenor Of the Institution. One success