Richmond planet., 1925-08-29
ELkS WELCOMED
BY GOVERNOR
AND MAYOR

The public meeting at the Rayo
Theatre Monday, oath instant, was
largely attended. The entrance OF
Governor Lee Trinkle, Mayor j. Full
mer Bright, Colonel Julian H. Hill
and Mr.. William T. Dabney was the
signal for general applause, which
was followed by the audience stand
ing until the visitors were seated.
Rev. James S. Hatcher, pastor of the
Third Street Bethel A. M. E. Church,
led in singing my Country, 'Tis of
Thee" Then J. Dalmas Steele, can
didate of Manhattan Lodge, No. As,
for Grand Exalted Ruler, entered
ard applause swept over the house.
He took a seat on the stage.
Fine Singing.
General Chairman M, A. Norrell
presided. The rendition of the Sab
bath Glee Club, under the leadership
of Joseph Matthews, was feature.
1t enlisted applause. This was fol-
lowed by another selection, which
was rapturously encored. 1t was en-
titled "Hold the Wind, Don't Let 1t
Blow" In introducing the speaker,
Chairman Norrell stated that Mr..
William T. Dabney, the business
manager of the hamber Of Com
merce, who came to the aid OF the
Entertainment Committee, would in
troduce the Governor.
Mr.. Dabney said: "Mr. Chairman,
it seems to me that | might say first
that l appreciate what has been done.
We are adding another page in the
making of the American people. |
am glad to be with you and to pre-
sent to you His Excellency, E. Lee
Trinkle, Governor of Virginia.
Governor Trinkle'c References.
When Governor Trinkle advanced
to the front there was an ovation.
He had the audience with him at the
start, and ne held their attention to
the close. He said: "Mr. Chairman
and my colored friends: l regard it
as privilege and distinct pleasure
to have you select this place as the
meeting place of your convention. |
remember that Giles B. Jackson
called upon me to join in extending
an invitation to you to hold your
convention here. l was asked again
to join in the invitation this year.
We are happy and delighted to know
that you are present.
Tribute to Colored Elks.
eve welcome any man or woman
who comes to the State to do it good
and to inspire others. | know about
your organization, for | belong to
one almost of the same name. l
Ofk l-n bA +ot nj
I mean it, that l have the honor of
presiding over the destiny of the best
colored people in the whole United
States. Virginia values your enter
prise, your educational institutions.
1t is interesting that of the two
places you have selected in the South
both have been selected in Virginia,
one in Norfolk and the other here.
Patriotism Needed Badly.
81 have been told that you are
going to have the largest meeting
here in the history of the organiza-
ton. The fact that you came en-
phasizes the sacrifice you made in
leaving your labors to visit US and
is appreciated by us. l know that
you were taught to have respect for
the nations flag. You were taught
to respect what it stands for. You
nave been taught to be obedient,
faithful to your duties and to- be
good citizens. There never was a
time when patriotism was so badly
needed as now. l urge you to yield
loyal obedience to legal authority.
This great land is broad enough and
wide enough to give every man who
lives under the Stars and Stripes an
equal opportunity. Let US do our
part. Let us realize our individual
responsibility. All of us have an in
dividual responsibility All of us
have a work to do. 1t should be all
absorbing. We owe a duty to our
neighbors, to our fellow man. We
owe respect to our God and our
country.
An Appropriate Warming.
Il hope that you all came to have
a happy time, friendly time. Some