Colored Soldiers, Sailors Organizing American Legion Post in Wilson, Sept. 1, 1919

From the Wilson Daily Times, Monday, Sept. 1, 1919

Colored Soldiers and Sailors Organize

The colored soldiers and sailors of Wilson County organized a post of the American Legion last evening and the meeting was an enthusiastic one and was held in the handsome Methodist church colored, and the attendance was large of both the men who served their country overseas and in camps at home, and their friends who gathered with them.

The meeting was called to order by Rev. B.B. Coward, pastor of the church, while the benediction was asked by Rev. O.L.W. Smith. A number of patriotic songs were sung by the audience, and after this Rev. Coward, introduced Master of Ceremonies Glenn McBrayer, who ably presided over the meeting.

The chairman explained that Mr. Henry Woodard, who had intended to be present and assist in the organization and explain the purpose and benefits of the meeting was unable to do so, and then he introduced Sergeant A.N. Darden, an overseas man who was made secretary of the meeting.

Sergeant Darden at length read from the plan of the American Legion and spoke of the benefits to accrue form an organization of this kind.

He said that the colored man, side by side with the white man, had demonstrated a valor and patriotism that bode well for a mutual understanding between the races, and it was their proud boast that they had been of service to their country, and for this reason those from Wilson County should preserve the relationship of comradeship and friendship that had come in contact in the fire and shock of battle.

The purpose is to preserve history, to encourage the right, and discourage the wrong, to aid in the improvement and development of the members of the post and the people generally and to obtain all the rights, emoluments and benefits that might accrue from the government in favor of the soldier and sailor.

He went at length into the matter of vocational employment by the government and the advantages under this system provided by the government. He said that if for nothing else every soldier and sailor should join that he might keep up this feature that was of incalculable benefit to him.

After this Prof. William Jones sang in splendid voice a solo entitled “The Red Cross Girl.”

Editor John D. Gold was called on to say something, and he remarked upon the enthusiasm and interest taken in the meeting. He stated that only a short while back he was privileged to attend a meeting at which the white soldiers and sailors of the county organized a post. He was greatly pleased at the way the matter was presented by Sergeant Darden and the other speakers, and especially at his reference to the way the two races lived in harmony in this county without any friction, while in other sections there was trouble and strife.

Mr. Gold referred to the valor of the colored soldier who had helped his white comrades hurl back the Hun and given liberty to the world.

The support of the law and a recognition that the law comes between us to prevent incursions into the rights of others, to prevent the interests and selfishness of one from overlapping the other should be the wish of every good citizen, both white and black, and Mr. Gold stated that he appreciated these expressions coming from the colored men themselves for it demonstrated a desire not only to uphold the law but a recognition that an ideal situation existed here, which was a credit to the people of this community regardless of race or color.

The meeting was then opened for short speeches and the first speaker was Professor Coley, who has just been selected as the principal of the colored schools. He said he was glad to hear Mr. Gold speak as he did about the colored man and to sanction what he said about Wilson being the best town in the country. He was prepared to believe, too, that the Wilson people were willing to give the colored folks a square deal and related instances that happened at Goldsboro last week when a colored person was about to lose over 200 acres of land. An examination of the case caused Judge Conor to believe that the colored person was not receiving a square deal and he called the lawyers and those interested in the case to him and set the sale aside that the petitioners were asking for, and told the defendant to bring the money and pay off the indebtedness, and thus secure the land.

He told a good story about the ghost in the log, as illustrating that somebody is always looking for a ghost or something to be frightened at when if they would apply a little common sense and reason, and get together and talk things over, the troubles of the world would blow away as fast as they arise.

Prof. John A. Clark spoke in similar vein. He said the white folks of Wilson had helped them and encouraged them in everything that was right and they would help them to organize this post.

Rev. O.L.W. Smith stated that he was glad to see boys from Wilson coming home with whole arms and legs, and that few of them had been wounded.

The prayers of the people at home seemed to arise to the throne of grace and mercy, and they had been spared. We had so much to be thankful for in Wilson. We really did not know how to give thanks as we should.

The doxology was sung and the meeting was closed with prayer by Rev. Smith.