The Wisconsin weekly blade. [volume] (Madison, Wis.) 1916-1925, 1918-08-15
VOL. iii.
MILWAUKEE, SELECTS
BIDDEN GODSPEED
Speakers Praise Race

-Four score selectmen were bid
den Godspeed at meeting in St.
Mark s A. NJ. f. Church, Thursday
night and Saturday morning, led
by brass band organized for the
occasion by Mr.. James Like from
among local musicians and escort
ed by almost the entire colored
population. They marched to the
depot to entrain for Camp Gus
ter.
The Church was packed to the
doors for the exercises. The 7th
Regimental orchestra, w. S. G.,
furnished music; the Red Cross
distributed comfort kits and a
supper was served the men in the
church parlors by the Phyllis
Wheatley Art Club, Woman s I'M
provement Club and other wo-
men s clubs. The committee in
charge of the affair consisted of
j. G. Thurman, r. II. Baylor, Hon.
L. II. Palmer, Mrs. r. B. Mont
gomery, Mrs. r. Logan, DR.. A. L.
Heron, Rev S. Russell, Dr. T. A.
Boyer, Rev. DR.. j. Q. Morley, Rev.
FIR. Stephen, Rev. W. S. Ferguson
and G. II. DeReef.
George II. DeReef presided and
introduced the speakers, Joseph
S. Smith, chairman of the military
extension division of the county
council Of defense; William j.
Kershaw and the Rev. j. 0. Nor
ley, pastor of the church.
Chairman Smith explained the
aims of the extension division Of
the council of defense and pledged
it's best efforts to keep the men
in direct touch with Milwaukee,
as it is doing with 1000 Milwau-
kee soldiers already "over there, "
and its assistance for members Of
their families at all times while
the men were fighting for the flag.
Have Glorious Mission
'|You have a glorious mission, "
said Mr.. Kershaw. You are ear
rying with you greater message
than Jehovah gave the people
through the prophets of Israel
a message of freedom and liberty
to the oppressed peoples of the
world. in the civil war Wisconsin
played a great part and the noble
women of the state ploughed the
fields and sowed the grain and
reaped the crops while their men
were fighting to preserve the
union. You, the descendants OF
those for whom those men and
women suffered in the civil war,
are now to go forward with their
descendants and the descendants
of those who held your race in
bondage to destroy that autocracy
which aims to hold the whole
world in subjection.
You are going forth to uphold
the honor Of your country and to
defend the homes and firesides of
Wisconsin and we who are left
behind have it as our mission to
see that a strong and hearty and
American welcome is awaiting You
when you return to a better,
stronger and more ulorious Amer
lea. which will result from this
struggle. No other nation in the
history of the world has done for
humanity what this nation has
done and is doing, and it is your
high privilege to have a great part
in it. "
Credit to Black Race
The pastor of the church, clos
ing the tribute of respect and |
gratitude to the departing select
men, said it would 90 down in
history to the everlasting credit !
of the black race that in all the
wars this country has experienced /
it's men had borne their part
bravely and patiently and had al
ways been true and loyal.
"You 90 forth now to fight and
to suffer for the Stars and Stripes,
the flag which flies at the mast
head of the world tonight" " he
said. Play your part; acquit
yourselves like men, so when the
history of the world is written it
may be said the American negro
was ready to lay down his life I
for democracy. and when you re-
turn may you find a new America,
free from mobocracy, the Jim
Crowism of the past and the pref
udice from which you have suf
fered at times. Remember that
the God of nations and of battles
will be watching you. May He
protect you and keep you.
G. ,,rJox, NOW, i,,p +ba rrooac