The Colorado statesman., 1922-12-09
PRESIDENTS ANNUAL ADDRESS.

pleelluS
1t affords me great pleasure, gen.
tlemen, to be able to look into your
faces tonight and say to you that 1--WE
have fought a good fight and have
kept the faith" We find ourselves
now upon the Threshold of another
year. For four years we have re-
manned steadfast at the wheel and
kept the ship within her course.
We have encountered, at times,
some heavy fogs and rough seas, but
the old ship has been able to keep
afloat by the loyalty and devotion of
the splendid crew aboard her.
While it is true that some of our
crew have deserted during the past
year, we may congratulate ourselves
that we have taken on many more
worthy seamen than we have lost.
Our city is no different from most
cities from the standpoint of race
unity and race organizations, and like
all other cities we have an over-plus
of useless clubs and organizations
that take up the valuable time, en-
ergy, effort and means of many of our
ablest men who could render the race
| iiuu tlle community SItuleI SeINlCc IL
they would only get away from those
things that do not and cannot help us
in the great march of progress and
better citizenship. Here, in the Den
yer Civic Association, we have an op-
portunity to increase our influence
and become factor to be recognized
in the civic affairs of our city, but we
prefer to shine socially rather than
commercially.
There is nothing that we deplore
more than the lack of the undivided
support of our ministers and profess
sional men in such an organization us
this.
j Is it possible that our ministers are
only interested in their churches, and
our professional men solely in their
professions, with no thought of the
civic uplift and progress of the race?
Unless we can secure the undivided
support and encouragement of the
members of our association in this
great work, our progress Will be slow
and uncertain.
For many years we have been mere
ly marking time, waiting anXiously
for the command: Forward. March !
The Denver Colored Civic Associa-
ton has come forth ready to lead our
group against the mighty wall of civic
| ana cOlnlnerclal preJuulce anu destroy
forever the great barrier
Men, let us be not discouraged. We
have great work to accomplish, and
it can only be done by perseverance
and devotion. During the past year,
as an outgrowth of The Denver Col
ored Civic Association, we have or
ganized and incorporated The Denver
Colored Civic Building Association.
In less than one year of its existence
we have actually taken over property
worth $500 and have paid $1,000 on
the same and ready to pay $500 more
when due. You have paid in full your
pledge of 500 to the Presbyterian
Hospital fund, beside numerous other
donations to worthy causes. We have
nothing to be ashamed of and much
to be proud of.
1t is to be regretted that many of
our members have allowed themselves
to forget or neglect their annual dues
to the association.
During the visit of Mr.. Charles S.
Gilpin, the noted actor, to our city last
November, 1t was our distinguished
pleasure and honor to tender him a
notable banquet. The press, locally
and nationally, gave prominent space
to the affair and we feel proud of the
effort.
The members should attend the reg
ular meetings and get what is going
on and coming off. Our newt great
annual Lincoln Douglass banquet will
call for the united and untiring efforts
of every member to make 1t excel last
| years banquet. Members, get ready.
| Tonight is the annual election of
officers and directors of the associa-
ton. Let us choose wisely for our Of
ficers for the ensuing year Elect
such men only who can and will at
tend the meetings of the board of di-
rectors and the association. 1t is
with sincere regrets that we are to
lose the valuable services of Mr.. t. 5.
Rector as a member of the board OF
directors, owing to his advanced age,
and / would recommend that he be
made an honorary member of the
board for his past faithful services. l
recommend that we either elect or ap-
point a historian for the association.
We should all feel proud of the har-
mony and unity of action upon all
civic and racial matters that has eX-
listed during the past year between the
local branch of the n. A. A. G. p. and
The Denver Colored Civic Association
and their respective officers.
In closing beg to offer my sincere
thanks and appreciation to the Off
GERS and members who have so ably
assisted me in the administration of
the association for the past year, and
the board of directors, whose ever
ready and invaluable support helped
to make another successful year of
our associations life.
THOS. CAMPBELL,