Arizona republican., 1919-09-23

Roscoe Conklin Simmons, noted negro orator and nephew of Booker T. Washington, delivered his message Of hope and cheer 10 the colored people of Phoenix last night at the high school auditorium.
 Mr. Simmons who spent considerable time in France during the war, is a speaker of national note. As he says he owes the American white man debt he can never pay. He is possessed of an excellent education and holds his listeners at eager attention throughout his talks,
 He made a wonderful plea last night for the bettering of conditions which surround his race. He told of the sacri- fices his people have made, their stead fast loyalty to the flag and challenges anyone to show him an American negro carrying the red flag. If the American negro could be accepted as an equal on the grounds of character, which is the only gtound upon which he will ever be accepted according to MT. Simmons, he would aid in dspell- ing the industrial unrest which is sweeping over the country.
 Governor Thomas E. Campbell was among the many white people present. llC WdS dCCOIIlpeLIlltQ Dy 1TS. CdI1D- bell and their eldest son. Preceding the lecture by Mir Simmons, several selections were delivered. The speaker Of the evening was introduced by Rich ard D. Simpson.
 MT. Simmons spoke in part as fol- ] lows:
 T am an American; proud of it and jealous of both the power and l TpnIlta finn nf countrymen. I speak for one eighth or the population of my country, all
 native here and to the manner born l pledge their faith by the brief re- mark that through tears they see d better time farther on. Their conduct as both men of peace and men of war
 is proof of an uninterrupted loyalty to nation and flag, though few of their claims are thus far granted, and much of what they deserve is still withheld
 But brief season has passed since l stood on the battlefields of France 1 tracked our soldiers by east ano
 west, by Lorth and south in the marches made upon the call of liberty Today in the valleys of St. Mihiel; to- morrow in the Argonne; now sweep ing over the roads from Narennes tc l Verdun and thence to Pont a Moussor on 1 moved. 1 saw the spot al
 Chateau Thierry where havoc of al
 astuta enemy was answered by perfec
 aim of soldiers fighting under pro.
 lection of God and the starred ban
 ner of the only free government tn,
 world has thus far known I though
 then, not of race or color, but of m,
 country. I said, surely the natio
 that can vindicate liberty so far iron home will not permit even the humbl est child of her bosom to weep ava. life of despair.
 T bear title as advocate of tn
 American nego, but am no less prou of defending the triumph of the Ameri , can white man and the glory of wha , call home without sigh or blusi Maybe mine Is the tongue of a negrC but l speak the simple language 2 American citizenship. I have an un disturbed faith in the justice of m countrymen and in the promises ( God. Here I find my only respons, God placed our hands each in tn other and man must not dispute Hi wisdom. l am not moved, nor am dis
 eouraged. Patience is my pillow l wrestled with the American whi. | man, not in anger, but in expectation :. speak and say:
 r First let me on my feet. teach m to read and write; break all my chains
 pass the filled cup of liberty and lt me drink freely; feed me with foo
 gathered from the soil of Bunker Hill
 move back and let me learn from you : matchless handiwork; robe me in tn ;. garments weaved in the handclasps ;. Grant and Lee at Appomattox foI f get who 1 am and think of what yo
 can make me under God, and then
 will permit you to cross the seas, he; }, wounds, build homes for strangers an n wipe away tears distant to familif ,, scenes.
 When the great call came frol 5 prostrate France, our nation mac : reply. None held back The father 7, took to council and the sons took