Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1920-03-06

AN'SNo>
presided at all the sessions OF the
League, and introduced the speakers
Tor the various topics under CONSIDER
OF the convention was the inimitablc
cloqucnce with which Col Sim.
mons presented the speakers and
this was particularly true OF his in
PRODUCTION Of the distinguished speak
crs OF the other race. With ready and
deep meaning satire fact after fact
with reference to the 2 groups dwell
ling side by side in the u. S. was
driven home. Probably one of the
most effective expressions of Col. Sim
mons came after his description OF
how the white and Colored people
have been Joined by God i'll working
out tho salvation of humanity in this
country, he giving a description OF
what each Is doing, and then he add
ed, amid great applause; What God
has joined together, let not man put
aSunder."
DISTINGUISHED VISITORS PRES.
GNT.
1t is deeply significant OF the times
that there were present during the
Lincoln League convention, Will II.
Hays, chairman of the National Re
publican Committee; Governor Frank
%. Lowdcn, Of 1llionis; Mayor Viii
liam Hale Thompson, OF Chicago and
General Leonard Wood. All of these
men constantly have more engage
ments than they can fill, but they
regard no engagement of larger i'm
portancc than their appearance ut
this convention, representative OF the
100000 Colorcd Americans, all of
whom had their eyes turned to Chi
cage and their ears to the receiver at
the listening post, to hear their declar
Etions on manhood rights, and the
privileges OF American citizenship
The first speaker Wednesday night
was Chairman Hays. He launched in
to his subject with characteristic Wig
or, speaking straight from the should
Ii; on the things that he knows are up
rermOst in the mind OF every colored
American. lie denounced lynching as
un-American and Un-Christian and de
carcd that In the matter Of citizenship
the Constitution OF the United Stut-
ca should be upheld. Mr.. Hays made
it very plain that the Republican par
ty this year does not propose to side
step the responsibilities &C the hour,
but will face all subjects with charac
teristic Americanism, for, he declar-
cd: the history OF the nation Is the
history OF the Republican party"
The address Of Chairman Hays was
received with great enthusiasm.
Governor Frank o. .Lowden follow
cd. Governor Lowden. took advantage
OF the occasion being on the eve of
Lincoln's birthday, and the name OF
the league bring Lincoln" and con
fined his remarks largely to an eulogy
or tho life OF Abraham Lincoln. His
address was interesting from that
standpoint, but the vast assemblage
was plainly disappointed because he
failed to make an open declaration
concerning his views on the critical
subjects affecting Colorcd people 1t
was very evident that the Governor
S,udiously and carefully avoided
these subjects, it appearing at times
as though he was embarrassed to
ina Just the proper words to use.
1t had been announced that General
Leonard Wood wonld appear at the
thursday morning session at 9:3O.
on his way from Minneapolis, MINI.
70 cleveland, Ohio, where he was to
deliver the Lincoln day address be
fore the Tipecanoc club. lie was 70
nave only two hours in Chicago, and
much official work tc look after. The
audience assembled early, but it de-
Feloped that the train from the west
was two hours late. Mayor Thomp-
son was to appear at eleven and ap-
reared L.,
pearance was announced by Edward
ii. wright, and he was given an ova
tion In the mean time President Sim
mons announced that General Leon
ara Wood would undoubtedly appear
later. The mammoth hcurch by this
hour was crowded to the doors with
delegates and visitors.
Mayor ThOmpson's address was typi
cal OF his belief in political equali-
ty and opportunity. He reviewed his
career as mayor of Chicago, and told
how he had always sought to uphold
the constitution in the city for the
people. He told why he appoints his
assistants on merit and not by race,
and was loudly applauded. -.\t
In tho midst OF the Mayors adj
dress, General Wood arrived. He was
KlVen the greatest demonstration OF
the entire convention, Mayor TtoE.p
son discontinued his address for the
timo, and warmly grasped the hand
OF General Wood, while the audience
applauded, and stood cheering.
At the conclusion OF the Mayors
address, President Simmons introduce
cd General Wood, OF the United Stat
es Army, AZ personal friend to the
great American who believed in all
men up Theodore Roosevelt. ;,..
General Wood minced no words.
nor did he lose time in making him
Golf understood. His first words were:
Il believe in upholding tho Constitu.
ton OF the United States, and that
means that believe tho laws should
be obeyed by all, and that all citi-
Zens should enjoy the privileges I'M
der tho constitutions" He declared
that the government stands first for
law and rider, upon which foundation
only, can peace and harmony be main