Youngsville, Sept. 16—A very enthusiastic demonstration was staged here on last Friday when Major R.E. Underwood of the National Guard took the lead in promoting the exercises of National Defense Day. Old time loyalty and love for country were clearly shown by the townspeople, as well as the citizens of surrounding communities, who turned out in large numbers.
The parade leading from the graded school grounds to the Eagle warehouse was headed by a band from Wake Forest, which furnished stirring patriotic music throughout the day’s program. Next followed the local unit of the National Guard under Captain Frank Timberlake, which is a part of the Headquarters Detachment of the 117 Field Artillery. The rest of the parade was made up of teachers and pupils of the schools in and around Youngsville. The business houses and public buildings carried the national colors in a very attractive manner, showing the good work of an active decorating committee.
In the Eagle warehouse at 11 o’clock Major Underwood took charge of the exercises and presented to an audience of more than a thousand people, a most interesting and enjoyable program consisting of patriotic music and public speaking. The first address was delivered by Capt. Bland G. Mitchell, formerly of Youngsville, who first proved to his audience that Uncle Sam had no wrong motives in the setting and observance of National Defense Day, and then showed very effectively the real reasons that prompted the nation to turn its attention for one full day to reviewing its defense facilities. The audience then had the pleasure of listening for 30 minutes to an inspiring address by Hon. Dennis G. Brummitt of Oxford, in which he set forth the fundamental doctrines upon which he said the success and permanency of the republic has always stood and must stand in the future. Among these he declared that there must be equality before the law for all our citizens and equality of opportunity in every phase of our economic and national life. Reviewing the efforts of our great people to establish an ideal democracy, he found religion to the be basal factor of our greatness and reminded his audience that this must still e at the heart of American life. In the conclusion of his address, Mr. Brummitt said that mere legislation would never prove a remedy for any of our ills, but that law enforcement and the safety of our national life depended upon the will of our citizenship.
A bountiful free dinner was served on the armory grounds, after which the local unit of the National Guard conducted an exhibit of military equipment. Athletics and social features filled in the afternoon.
From the front page of The Franklin Times, Louisburg, N.C., Sept. 26, 1924
newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn84020791/1924-09-26/ed-1/seq-1/
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