Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-11-18
PATRIOTIC SING GREETED
WITH WILD ENTHUSIASM
1000 Richmondcrs, Waving Old
Glory, Cheer Flags OF Allied
Nations.
FIRST SINCE SEPTEMBER
Biggest Demonstration Staged in Au.
ditorium Since Peace Came to
World-NeXt to BE Held in High
School Auditorium.

Unparalleled demonstration marked
the sing" ut the City Auditorium yes
tcrday afternoon. The spacious house
was packed TO the rim with at least
1900 people, who had come to celebrate
the raising of the flags of the allies,
whose righteous arms had brought
peace back 10 earth. Not. untrue to the
sabbath atmosphere. yet conscious OF
a desire To give thanks for the fruits
of Americas entrance into the war
the 1000 people filled the house with
climax OF the demonstration was at
tanned when the stars and Stripes sail
cd out over the heads of the assembly.
Every man. woman and child there
frantically waved u flag and upplauded
until the roof threatened to lift
There had been sings" held in the
building hcforc--scorcs of them-but
never such Il one as this The long
night OF waiting had ended in the dawn
of peace: victory was in the folds of
the coiorful cmhlems, that iioatcd one
THANKSGIVING broke from the hearts of
the ,hronS in grand chorus of praise
II was the first sing" since September
%; it was also the first one since the
of the earth last Monday. II is the
last one of the sort that can possibly
happen.
During the progress of the celebra-
ton. the flag of each of the allies par
ticipatinG in the war was flung, flaming
with rainbows of victory and promise.
on cable from the balcony TO the
stage. They appeared and were APP
plauded in the order Of their entrance
in the war. After Belgium. France.
England and Italy. came the Stars and
stripes. AT the appearance of each one
the demonstration increased. The ma
tional emblem of America closed the
display OF the victorious flags in tre-
mcndous outburst of patriotic en-
thusiasm.
NATIONAL ALLIED TUNES
RECEIVED ENTHUSIASTICALLY
c. w. Mercer was in charge of the
music program. The choir and the or
opening anthem. onward. Christian
soldiers. to the doNology the great
crowd gave evidence of no feeling con-
trary 10 sacred thanksgiving. The
tie Hymn of the Republic" over
There" Keep the Home Fires Burn
ing, America" and the national airs
81 the Other allied nations; Every
song was sung with great dash and
color and came straight from the heart
OF the audience.
pr, Douglas Freeman delivered a
short address. He paid high tribute to
each Of the allied nations. But when
he came 10 paying respects 10 the part
America played in winning the war. the
people anticipated the speaker and.
feeling that only glory could describe
Americas accomplishments. went wild
With telling and again waved their A.
90" iiags in an atmosphere of applause.
The speaker emphasized the point that
nose ready TO 20 to the front were as
worthy OF praise as those who had
the privilege. He also suggested tina.
q Sing" be held in honor of each of
the allied flags
was announced that the next
sings Will he held in the John Mar
shall High School Auditorium. Re-
modelling the City Auditorium for the
series OF revival services TO be CON
Quoted by Billy sunday in January
Mercer announced that he would pre
sent new patriotic song next sunday
=, the high school auditorium