The Black Dispatch (Oklahoma City, Okla.), Vol. 4, No. 50, Ed. 1 Friday, January 4, 1918 Page: 1 of 8
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'Cf iERS THE®
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YOUR AD IS READ (S)
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ALL OF
-jgRHTS
MOUTH PIECE OF
BETTtk
THINKING COLORE
ft PEOPLE
FAlTH
sssre
A Message
From
The Black
Folk
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLA., JAN. 4, 1918.
OFFICIAL ORGAN OF THE KNIGHTS OF PYTHIA S OF N. A., & A., E., A, A., AND A, JURISDICTION OF OKLAHOMA. if
EMANCIPATION
SK5* e<®
400 Poor Children At Aldridge Theatre
Bristow Celebrates
Whites And Blacks Pack Theatre To
Hear Emancipation Address, Dunjee
Says Negro Has Scaled The Heights Of
Citizenship Responsibility
Dr. Gregory Speaks, Banquet At Duffy's
Bristow, Okla., Jan. 1, 1918.
Special to the Black Dispatch. ' , % t t
The new Star Theatre waB packed and jammed by the members or botn
races Tuesday evening. The occasion being the 55th anniversary of Emanci-
pation. Promptly at seven o'clock the maBter of ceremonies, Dr. M. H. Wake-
field, called the assembly to order and the Red Cross Chorus, led by Dr. C. R.
Williams and wife sang "Steal Away to Jesus." Invocation by Rev. J. H.
Hamilton, after a few very eloquent remarks by Dr. Wakefield in which he
outlined the purpose of such occasions, he introduced Editor Roscoe Dunjee
of Oklahoma City, who said in part:
"It is a wonderful story of how the Black man has scaled the heights of
responsibility in citzenship since the morning when we walked naked and
bare from Appomattox and slavery, for citizenship is an achievement, it was
something Abraham Lincoln could not give us with the stroke of his pen; it
was a something that all men must obtain for themselves. Back yonder in
the morning of our freedom our fathers and mothers reasoned differently
than we. They reasoned, in their ignorance, that since slavery meant to work,
freedom must "mean not to work, and so it was that our forefathers stumbled
from the chasms of bondage, bereft of an idea or conception of duty, imbued
with a thot that theirs was to do, as they had for ages seen their masters do,
exist in idleness. .... A „ .
I cannot tell you all of what we have learned of the dignity of toil, how
Ave have learned from the book of books, that "the earth i* full of labor and
no man can alter it" to do this I would have to carry you into our thousands
of happy homes, graced by the beautiful and accomplished daughters of
Jethro, as pure as the icicles that hung in the Temple of Diana and as chaste
as the vestal virgins. I would have to count for you our billion dollars worth
of property, I woulJ have to show you 50,000 business men and our 51 banks
that hold the wealth of black folk; and last, if I would show you all, 1 must
draw back the curtain and let you glimpse our love of country, I must salute
tonight the loyal black hearts of America that beat as one, that are effer-
vescent and bubbling over with love for a nation and a country that segre-
gates, Jim Crows, lynches, burns and denies him.
The story of the Black man in America is but a repetition of the story of
the Jews while in Babylon, altho in captivity and bondage, the Ancient Jew
learned to love the hills and the valleys of Babylon where under the lash he
was born and he wrote his greatest page of history by the rivers of Babylon
about which he has sung thru the ages.
Tonight history repeats itself, at Chillicothe and all over America, around
a thousand campflres, the sons of black men are gathered, marshalling their
strength against the foes of this nation, and they are there to give expression
to the fact that black folk have scaled the heights of responsimlity in citizen-
ship, they are there to fight, not for the things that are but for the things that
ought to be."
Turning o the whites in his audience Editor Dunjee said: "President
Wilson says we go out to make the world safe for democracy. He said we
must fight for the right of the voice of men to be heard in their own govern-
ments and I wonder if you men who live here in Bristow and Creek county
and who have the reins of control, understand as I feel the meaning it should
have here.
Democracy in Bristow means that black men as well as white men shall
set in jury boxes and everywhere, democracy means, if we would breath the
'<pure air"' of which Wilson speaks, that spoliation and exploitation of black
men's property and labor shall cease, it means that segregation, Jim Crow-
ism and mob violence must die, and that in its stead there must rise justice,
equity and fairness for these are the cornerstones of democracy. _ . , . . . ,K. „„„„ .
We are leaving our homes and firesides and we go forth freely and fear- ,"'ty by , f .. ® '
lesslv to fight in fredoms battle, from which we would not accept exemption,the hf*"da °[ supreme judge. The
because we feel you mean what you have said and we know that the sacrifice ' °°* * i ~
Dr. A.I. Davis
Who is now I located in his new office at 3121-2 East Second St.
Dr. Davis has a large practice in Oklahoma City.
Sadie Smith played the wedding
march. Two course wedding supper
was served. Blue and white were the
decorating colors.
Many presents wore received.
Catholic Speaks
Denton, Tex., Dec. 2
Editor Black Dispatch,
Dear Friend:
Permit me to join you in sorrow for
the 13 Negro soldiers sent into etei*
shall not be In vain, and just so surely as crucifixion brought redemption
shall there come from this sacrifice its just compensation."
The speaker touched upon the great exodus from the southland and its
meaning and at the conclusion of his remarks. Dr. Wakefield introduced Dr
E. L. Gregory of Gainsville. Tex., who made a splendid addcess. Dr. C. R.
Williams, rendered one of his beautiful solos and after the program a magnif-
icant banquet was held at the splendidly appointed new "Duffy Cafe." Those
seated at the guest table were Mr. and Mrs. C. A. McCreary Dr. and Mrs.
M. H. Wakefield, Dr. W. T. Rickman, Dr. E. L. Gregory, Prof. W. T. Wilson,
Editor Roscoe Dunjee and Mr. C. R. Earl. Dr. M. H. Wakefield acted as toast-
master.
This affair was voted by all as the greatest ever attempted at Bristow
and a better feeling has been created between the two races.
The committee that had charge of the affair were: C. A. McCreary, Dr%
C-.R. -Williams, Dr. M. H. Wakefield, Prof. W. T. Wilson. Dr. W. T. Rickman,
M. Jackson, Wm. Coleman.
1 'Last Day' of this globe will have some
supreme surprises. May your local
X. A. for the Advancement of Colored
People be a success. Let reason and
religion be the guides. Hatred and
passion means shipwreck.
God bless you and paper and race in
1918.
Your friend,
RAYMOND VERNIMONT,
Catholic Priest
BURNS-COOPER NUPTIALS.
Ardmore. Okla.—On Monday even-
ing, Dec. 24th at 8 o'clock. Mr. Robert
In Burns of Oklahoma City and Miss
Viola Lutisky, daughter of Mr. and
YOUNG WOMEN'S CHRI8TIAN
ASSOCIATION
Will meet Sunday afternoon at 3 P.
M. with Y. M. C. A. in the Bethel
Building Auditorium of the People's
Church. Subject: Power. See Bible
Concordance for thii subject.
Weekly meetings every Thursday
afternoon. 4 P. M.
! Thursday. Jan. 10. Home of Mrs. A
Thursday, Jan. 31, Home of Mrs.
Edna Slaughter, 325 E 2nd.
Headquarters.
In the Bethel Building with the Y,
M. C. A. The ladles using the rooms
in the day time, gentlemen at
night.
This will also be headquarters of the
N. A. A. C. People.
DIES
Mr. W. S. McCIendon, one of East
First street's pioneer business men,
died Wednesday, December 26. at his
home, 707 East First street. Mr. Mc-
CIendon had been ill for the past
twelve months, dropsy being his all
ment. The funeral was held Friday
from the Tabernacle Baptist church,
Rev. E. W. Perry preaching the fu
neral oration and the body being in
charge of the Tacker's undertaking
establishment. Mr. McCIendon leaves
a wife, Mrs. C. A. McCIendon, and a
Jehovah Faithful
Rev. Dr.R.W. Spearman Preaches New
Years Sermon, Says God Knows All
"Oh Tempora, Oh Mores"
d
WANTED—A FIRST CLASS
PRINTER.
Man capable of doing all kinds
of job work. Must be sober and
of good habits. Give references.
Address. Black Dispatch, Okla-
homa City, Okla.
hand embroidered dress with a bunch
of white silk rose buds in her belt.
The groom was conventional black
Rev. W. H. Burrel. officiated.
The out of town guests present' M1 "™ay'J.,n. "'li™ A I CT A D X
were: Mr? Maud Allen, Shrevepirt. 'h' ™ E ?"? 3 I A K 1
Mrs. Moser Cooper, was solemized at La : Mr Elmore and Ritchet Mitchell. , of Prof R Th- , nip UTI .
the home of the bride's parents. 621 Gainesville, Tex.; Mtsses Gladis Bates. App,in*- 10 N Peach. ' ne year KK*H I .. VOUT
IstXE. The bride entered the room i Pearl Coopev, Beatrice Butler Mr ,tB-Home of Mrs. L delinquent subscriotion is
wearing a beautiful white organdl J Bertran Cooper, Oklahoma Citv. Mm iJ Harp«r- 614 N Mo needed in this office
Emancipation 8ermon, Oklahoma City, Okla., January 1, 191 u°W
GOD AND THE PEOPLE. "
I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people. Heb. 8:Vi91(U
Let us apply this ancient declaration to our time and nation, iglum.]
American citizen should know and feel that this nation was begun an w>' \ —.
lished under God's directing care. He has been unto us a God, and tin
tfiat we shall be unto Him a people. The history of this land is jt wrflteir^'
cstimonial of God's wisdom and providence.
lie kept this land hidden until His own good time; until the nations
had come to a point where a new era was dawning on mankind; until He
had prepared Himself a people who would lay its foundations In God-fearing
freedom and equality.
Surely, God intended that this last continent upon the earth to be
opened to civilized man should be the cradle of the highest manhood which
the world has known. Here lie has made provision for the highest na-
tional development, and given us every blessing which nature can bestow.
Ho has been our God, and surely He Intended that we should be His people.
Kmancipation Day commemorates one of the greatest events In human
history of progress. Here upon the soil of this our land, (iod was declared
to be the Lord of this nation, and a government was Instituted in accordance
with the laws of the Creator, who made all men free and equal.
Today we remember the fact that this nation stands on the achievements
of the past. Our fathers lubored and we are entered into their labors.
To gain the liberties which we prize today, great battles have been
fought. People of the past and I he fathers of this nation have not paid down
cash for their liberties, but blood.
Today the seif has enterod into citizenship and the slaves Into freedom;
but the path along which they have come to their high estate has been over
trenches filled with bodies of patriots and martyrs to the cause. It is proper
then, that we should recall the lives of the heroes of righteousness who were
instruments in God's hands for the establishment of this republic Our
fathers subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, stopped the mouths of
wolves, escaped the arrows of savages, turned to flight the armies of enemies,
subdued forests, planted vinyards, reared schoolhouses, bullded churchea,
founded colleges and universities. They warned about exploring rivers and
forests and mines, being destitute, tormented and afflicted for their love
of liberty, and for the slave's sake were slain with the sword.
Their names should be honored among us and their service to this land
and humanity at large never forgotten, and let us sing with Charles Wesley:
"We with our ears have heard.
Our fathers us have told;
The work that in their days appeared,
And in the times of old. t
With such deliverance bless,
Whom thou hast chose for thine;
That men and nations may confess.
The work Is all divine."
Citizenship in this land Is a treasure which has not been easily gained
and should not be lightly esteemed. It is a possession of which every man
.oust render an account, not only to the state, but to bis God.
The youth of this land fall heir to riches for which they have not
abored. Is this generation worthy of this inheritance? Does It recognise
that (iod places upon it the responsibility of carrying to greater perfection
that which has been so gloriously begun?
Truly In the past the Lord has been our Fod. Enduring strength and
blessings shall that nation have whose God is the Lord.
We are told that today that America has taken Mammon for its god.
Let us hope that that may only be a passing phase of our national de-
velopment, and that we may no wturn our attention to higher things- to
the development of manhood Instead of money. Though there be much In-
justice and evil among us, and though there be leprous spots upon the body
politic, yet we will never despair of the highest ideal that can be set before us
God has hope In this nation. "I will be to him a God." He declared.
Shall we not answer, "We will be to Him a people?" Consider God's faith-
fulness to u" as a nation. Has He not brought us into a large place, a land
flowing with milk and honey, a land of wheat and barley, vines and fig trees;
a land wherein thou dost eat bread without scarceness, a land whose stonea
are iron? And out of whose hills thou mayest dig brass? Has He not borne
and carried us all the days of old?
"If drunk with sight of power we loose wild tongues that have not thee
n awe. Such boasting as the Gentiles use. our lesser breeds without the
law. Lord God of Host, be with us yet, lest we forget, lest we forget."
God has been faithful in spite of our disregard of His love and care.
The philanthropist may leave Him out of reckoning, but God knowa
the people. He sees their folly, pities their sorrows, and plans for their
eliverance.
8oclal science may leave Him out of reckoning, but without God what
lessage has It? To call God law or force, or the power that makes for
ighteousnesd is simply juggling with words.
God has eyes to see and a heart to feel, and an arm to save. I believe
nat God has chosen thia nation for a glorious deslny. "They shall be to
4e a people." It cannot be too greatly emphasized that the only safe democ-
-accy is a theocracy, that Is when a man recognizes himself not only as a
-ltixen of the lond In which he lives, but also a cltlxen of the kingdom of
foJ. rntll we get such citizenship we shall find oar laws hard to enforce
ntl *e citizenship we shall continue to find unscropulous men
n high places, men who feel no obligation to God or the people, but only
.erve their own greed Our hope for this land lies not In its great wealth nor
in its national resources, nor in Its multitudes of people, nor in its armament
tnd military power-but in the integrity of its citizens, and in the posalbll-
ty that we shall be found a people acceptable to our God.
Then a people acceptable unto ourselves and to the nations of the earth.
May that be our glorious destiny. "O tempora, O mores!"
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Dunjee, Roscoe. The Black Dispatch (Oklahoma City, Okla.), Vol. 4, No. 50, Ed. 1 Friday, January 4, 1918, newspaper, January 4, 1918; (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc152062/m1/1/: accessed March 19, 2024), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.