Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1918-02-23

Continue its Loydhy-Dr. George
Frazicr, DR.. John Hayes Holmes
other Spe2kcrs-Negro Circle for
War Relief Making Drive to Buy
Ambulance for Colored Soldiers
DR.. Dubois to Celebrate Fifticth
Birthday ,Anniverl3ary-Rcv IR.
M. Boldon Invited to Become one
of Mayors Committee OH National
Defense.
Aliens National News Bureau.
252 w. 13l Street New York City
February II, 1918.
Miss Mamie Burroughs the fore
most woman orator Of the race and
one Of the most brilliant and gripping
speakers before the nation today
thrill cd a large audience at mass
meeting held under the auspices Of
The National Association for the Ad
Vancemcnt of Colorcd people at tho
Palace Casino last Sunday, and
brought n message Of good cheer and
courage that will start n new cnthus
iasm among the colorcd people OF
this big city. She said that the Negro
is willing and ready to fight be-
cause this is his country. but that
the Negro wanted this nation to un
dcrstnnd that'it must have its rights
and accorded the privileges Of other
groups. She said that the nation must
be made to keep its pledge and to
live up to it's promise rs set forth in
the 14th and 18th amendments to
the CONSTITUTION. Tho meet
ing was held by the association for
the purpose Of working up greater
interest in its propaganda, and to
make Il fight for the lives Of the five
colorcd soldiers Of the Twcnty-fourth
Infantry who have been condemned
to die. 1t was an enthusiastic gath
ering and marked Il new start in the
life Of the association here. Rev. II.
A. Cullen, the pastor Of the Salem NJ.
e. Church and the president Of the
local branch presided over the meet
ing and told CT the necessity Of the
race throughout the country support
ing the organization. He said that
tho local branch would soon open
headquarters and would devote it
self strenuously to securing the civil
rights due to tho race hero.
Rev. DR.. George Frazier Miller, ono
OF the most fearless and outspoken
race leaders in America was the first
speaker. DR.. Miller condemned the
false leadership of the race and said
time are men who are not purchasable
He made n plea for fair play from
tho nation, and condemned tho act
ions of the government in permitting
the thirteen soldiers to be sacrificed
recently at Houston. He told the big
audience that he would continue to
speak out for tho rights Of the race
even in the face Of going to jail. The
next speaker was DR.. John Hayes
Holmes the pastor of the Church of
the Messiah and one Of the lew brave
and fearless outspoken white men Of
the country. DR.. Holmes said that the
Negro was coming into his own as
the result Of the war and that the war
today was one OF the adjustments OF
brotherhood. He said that after the
war there would he no difference as
TO race or color and that all groups
would be given their equal rights. He
said that the large exodus OF colorcd
people from the South showed the
rcstlcssncss that is beginning to mani
fest itself on tie part OF ITO race. Be-
fore Miss Burroughs spoke an appeal
was made 70 membership in the as
sociations and for contributions to as
sist in the defense of the five Colorcd
soldiers who are slated to die. Sixty
Of a dollar, and over fifty dollars
raised for the defense of the soldiers.
John n. Childerly the new secretary
OF the association told Of the propos---
ed conference with Secretary OF La
Dor for the purpose Of paying Negro
laborers the various bureaus of Wash
ington. He said that the association
must have a membership of at least
$4,000 in order that 1t may do the
work that 1t hopes to do for the cause.
The large audience waited patiently
to hear Miss Burr oughs who was in
troduced rs the foremost woman of
the race. and who is known as well
abroad as in her own country. Miss
Burroughs who is we'll known here
got a fine ovation when she rose to
speak. She said in part; II believe the
association will be able to change to
its attitude towards the race and 7
am intensely interested irs the work
OF the organization. I nm glad that
yotl are going to do something for
the Negro soldiers. because you are
doing something for the men who
have brought fame and glory to the
T race. We must appeal to the president
for clemency in their behalf. Those
of us in Washington are looking any
ut'! ~ nlcdF llat tneV nave Deel
hsnged and what is TO be done must
be done now. What we are doing, Is
not done to save the Negro, but to
save America rs Well" Miss Bur
roughs told the big audience not to
let any group kill our patriotism, or
to cause us not to sing our National
hymns. She said that this country is
ours. and that we must give the nat
ion to understand that we know this
and that we must have the rights
that properly belong to us. She said.
that things must he safe at home as
we'll as Safe for Democracy and that
the race Is willing to do their share
in this respect. She told Tie race not
to lose its courage and to awaken.
itself as 1t has never done before in
this crisis. The address gripped the
large audience and won new place