The Dallas express. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1893-1970, 1921-11-26
PICTURE NEGROES SHARE
in AMERICAS MAKING.
CAS- MAKING. ,
Rise Of Black Men in America
Pictured in New York Show
by Tableaux and Song.

New York, N. Y, Nov. 24.-Those
who attended the exposition of "Am-
erica's Making in the list Regiment
Armory felt something of the spirit
of Abraham Lincoln when they saw
portrayed visible evidence of what
Americans of Negro lineage have con-
tributed toward the development of
the country. Lincoln had the vision.
He gave the opportunity. The wis
dom of his judgment was revealed
as never before to New York citizens
through the medium of an entire pro-
gramme. augmented by artistic exhib-
its, presided over by Negroes, con-
tributed by Negroes and representing
the developed ability and the poten-
tial possibilities Of the race in the
great future of America.
Every night since the exposition
opened wide diversity of program
mes has been given. The Scotch had
their bagpipes; the Jugo-Slavs their
accordion and violins; the Irish their
jigs, Each group or race in turn,
characteristics with the general DEM
onstration of progress from Americas
earliest days.
Old Time Attraction.
Had the nights programme lacked
bones, banjos and singing it would
have been a false chord In the per-
fec harmony which has so far at
tended the exposition, Every one
present was glad that a wise and
discerning Programme Committee had
not consigned these old time attrac-
tions to the background of the past
in an effort to focus attention upon
the possibilities OF the future or the
achievement of the present. They were
shown in the tableau, plantation
Pastimes."
Two hundred and fifty Americans
of Negro lnn1uA efh1a
that programme. 1t was worthy of
their efforts and won unstinted ap-
plause. For musical charm and
brightness it should rank among the
most attractive of any.
Musical numbers between realistic
tableauN served to deepen the mental
impression conveyed by the pictures.
To some extent these were given in
chronological order. From Africa the
Negro was brought to America and
placed at work in the cotton fields,
tobacco fields and sugar plantations
Delightful old melodies accompanied
the showing of these tableaux.
Later days revealed the results of
education and environment. Soldiers
sailors, Red Cross nurses, boy scouts,
girl scouts, university graduates, doc
tors, lawyers, musicians, artists and
financiers came into view. One of the
participants in the final tableau was
Matthew Henson, who accompanied
Admiral Peary in his memorable dash
to the Pole.
In the official booth sightseers
both before and after the per-
Torrance were impressed particularly
with the art exhibit, much of which
was the work of Albert Alexander
Smith, just past twenty-one years of
age, now studying art in Paris. Before
going abroad the youth had distin-
guished himself in art classes at the
National Academy of Design.
Songs by Negro Composers.
Included in the evenings programme
We're songs by such well known
Negro composers as H, t. Burleigh
r. Nathaniel Dett, j. Rosamond John
son. Jesse A. Shipp, for many years
stage manager for the famous Will
liams and Walker shows, arranged
and directed the tableaux; Allie Ross
lead the orchestra, composed of fifty
musicians, and the choruses were sung
by 175 Negro men and women.
The invited guests occupying the
royal box" were Alderman and Mrs.
Charles Roberts, Alderman and Mrs.
George Harris, James Weldon John
son, poet and Mrs. Johnson; Mr.. and
Mrs. Albert j. Erdman, Mr.. and Mrs.
Henry G. Leach, Mr. and Mrs. L.
Hollensworth Wood, Charles Gilpin,
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Leeming, Mr..
and Mrs. w. E. B. Dubois.