-V , *v Class _SS_.2iL^J_ GoiJyTightN"_ /f/'? Ci>BfRIGHT DEPOSrr. i^^^^^^m^^^^i Acclamations for Celebrations The Dramatic Hi^ory of The Negro Copyright 1919 By B. SAMPSON Lofty Ideals and Ideas Original Compositions speeches for — the Stage — the Church — the Lodge — the School and — the Home Copyright 1919 by B, Sampson '^\ M\ 23 iyi9 ©CI.A515979 INTRODUCTORY In preparing this volume the author has been guided by his own platform experience extending over seven years. He has given a great number of public recitals before audiences of every de- scription. It may not be considered presumptious, therefore, for him to offer a practical suggestion on the proper management of the breath. The proper management of the breath is an important part of good speaking. Some teachers say the air B. SAMPSON should be inhaled on all occasions exclusively through the nose. This is practically impossible while in the act of speaking. The aim should be to speak on full lungs as much as possible. There- fore, a breath must be taken at every oppor- tunity. This is done during the pauses, but often the time is so short that the speaker will find it necessary to use both mouth and nose to get a full supply of air. The breathing should be in- audible. Practice deep breathing until it becomes an unconscious habit. In taking the breath the abdo- men and chest both expand, and in giving out the breath the abdomen and chest both contract. By this method of respiration the abdomen is used as a kind of bellows and the strain is taken entirely off the throat. The breathing should be done with- out noticeable effort and v/ithout raising the shoul- ders. Whenever possible the breathing should be long and deep. While speaking, endeavor to hold back in the lungs, or reservoir, the supply of air, feeding it very gradually to the vocal cords in just the quantity required for giving tone, recit- ing aloud, when properly done, is a healthful ex- ercise. The voice should grow and improve through use, but to speak on half-filled lungs, or from the throat, is distressing and often injurious. It is believed the book will be valuable not only to the amateur and the professional reader, speaker, elocutionist and entertainer, but also to the after-dinner and impromptu speaker, "the pol- itician who wants to make a hit," the business man who wishes to tell a good story and tell it effectively, the school teacher in arranging her Friday afternoon programs, as well as reading aloud in the family circle, and for many other oc- casions. The author. Prof. B. Sampson, is president of the Great National Distributing League for the Advancement of Colored People, a member of the National Equal Rights League, the National As- sociation for the Advancement of Colored People and the Great National Association of Playrights and Authors. — 4- DEBATE Between Woodrow Wilson, President of the United States, and Wm. Monroe Trotter, Spokesman for the Na- tional Equal Rights League. (Subject: Proscription for the Negro, the Agitation of a Democratic Administra- tion, a message to the Negro to Reorganize His Organiza- tions to Amalgamate to Promote the progress of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People for Equal Rights under the Constitution. I. To the Chief Executive of the United States: Said the spokesman for the Equal Rights Organ- ization : Mr. President, ten million citizens, sir, we repre- sent, Protesting against the segregation In the department of our national government, Solemn emotion shown in his face When his eyes met the President's. Segregation is discrimination against the Colored race And to loyal citizens a humiliation Unmerited, far reaching and a degradation. This League, called on you a year ago, For segration is a gratuitous blow, The Afro-Americans in this nation — Many aided and supported your elevation . The President replied: IT. My cabinet has made an investigation. It is friction between black and white That is the cause of the segregation; And my cabinet thinks it is right — That is my view on the situation ; And that is the best thought of the administra- tion. The white people admire the progress of your race. Still there is great prejudice in the people's minds. Segregation is a benefit and not a humiliation, And I prefer they progress on independent lines. — 5— If it is regarded as an elevation by your organ- ization, And a benefit, your race will regard it the same. You can cause them to regard it a humiliation, A degradation or a national shame. The spokesman: III. Replied as quick as he could open his mouth: We are delegates of a league for equal rights That is why we came to the White House Demanding the same rights that are accorded to whites. We do not protest segregation as dependent wards of the nation. But as full-fledged American citizens under the constitution. It is not in accord to acclaim that friction was the cause of segregation. It is untenable in view of the facts of the situa- tion. To maintain that friction was the cause of the segregation. In harmony for fifty years they worked under the constitution. Side by side in our national government. But soon after the beginning of your inaugura- tion Segregation was drastically introduced into the departments By your appointees to our national government. The President rephed: IV. This organization must have another spokesman If it ever has another hearing before me. Looking at the spokesman, his face turned red — He was angry the League could see. Then after a glance carefully around. He said, I dislike your tone, with passion in its background. The spokesman was surprised at his ill luck. He looked on the President as if thunderstruck. — 6— He said, we cannot control Negroes minds on segregation. They once regarded you the second Abraham Lincoln, Now the pulpit will denounce us as traitors to our race. Then the Equal Rights League arose in a body. Traitors, how? said the President, looking in the spokesman's face. Because in nineteen twelve we supported your party ! ! V. To the Afro-Americans this message is sent: Legislators have legislated and enforced the laws That were sanctioned by a President That oppresses the Negro and the Negro's cause. Senators have stood all day on our capitol floors, Loudly talked and pulled their nose, Enforcing the laws that were filled with flaws, To oppress the Negro and the Negro's cause. I heard them through our capitol doors While they loudly talked and tore their clothes Enforcing grand-pa clause and jim-crow laws. To oppress the Negro and the Negro's cause. The Negro has fought in the world's great wars, And today I say the Negro must blend to the Negro's cause. (Copyright, 1919, by B. Sampson.) POWDER AND PAINT DECOROUS A little bit of powder A tinchey bit of paint Makes a woman pretty When she really ain't. Too much powder Too much paint Makes a woman ugly When she really ain't. — 7— WHAT IS PROGRESS? 1 Was it progress That hewed the forest oaks, Cultivated the soil and sowed the oats; Erected cabins on the hills, And on the rivers great sawmills — Was that progress ? What is progress? 2 Was it progress That built schoolhouses in a day And erected churches on her way; Cabins were torn from the hills in haste And mansions erected in their place, — Was that progress? What is progress? 3 Was it progress That surveyed off the blocks. Moulded tools and erected the shops In America's early days — Today she builds great factories — Was that progress? What is progress? 4 Today she moulds great iron steels. Her railroads run through thousands of fields. The motorcycle appeared with its swift speeding wheel, Today there is a great demand for the automo- bile- Is that progress? What is progress? 5 She has connected the oceans with her hand And flashes the news from land; Her cables run through the sea That tells of wars and wars to be — Is that progress? What is progress? 6 She is building houses of steel every day And tearing her wooden structures away; The Negro won the battle from Spain Today he fights in the aeroplane — It that progress? What is progress? (Copyright 1919, by B. Sampson) SHOULD THE NEGRO EMIGRATE? Should the Negro emigrate or retrograde in his state ? When the statute of his state Has ignored his right He should continue on his fight. Should the Negro emigrate While Langston opens her door and wait For his children to her send Their greatest blessing in life to begin. Should the Negro emigrate Or fight his battle in his state? Hampton calls him from swamp, and hill To send his children if he will. Should the Negro emigrate Or become a factor in his state? Tuskegee beckons him to come Her cadets await beating their kettle drum. Should the Negro emigrate Where he is given an equal break? Opportunity's with other races Emigrate to better places. — 9— PIERPONT MORGAN Buried in the Stars and Stripes Throughout the United States The message was flashed from The bank where he was head The world's multi-millionaire Pierpont Morgan is dead. His hands lay by his side Old Glory over his breast Deep in a casket of plush and gold Lay Pierpont Morgan at rest. His bank was bedecked in Crepe, the institution he was head, The world's multi-millionaire Pierpont Morgan was dead. A silver cross lay near his arm A silver crown lay near his head Deep in a casket of plush and gold Lay Pierpont Morgan dead. America was excited when the Message was read Said will there be a panic Pierpont Morgan is dead? Over his casket flowers were heaped But withered on the way Like men of many millions Die in a day. He died in Rome, Italy, Ninety odd miles from Spain And carried home from a battleship Through a downpour of rain His hands lay by his side Old Glory over his breast Deep in a casket of plush and gold Pierpont was laid to rest. —10— The Greatest Battle of the European War Was Fought in September, 1914 The repulse of the German invasion on the road to Paris September, 1914, by the Victorious Colonial Troops, Negroes, rescued France and England and sounded the Doom of Autocracy, the greatest battle recorded. The Negro in the European war. Why civilization has halted on the borders of Africa. Procrastination of the autocratic imperial Ger- man Government to erect institutions for the ele- vation of Africans, natives of East Africa — known as "German East Africa" — after the German Gov- ernment had feloniously relieved them of their fer- tile lands and invaluable mines, restricting them to walk in the streets and to live not in the city limits,' the encouragement of the importation of intoxicants for a benighted people and subjecting them to the cruellest treatment for petty offenses, almost equal to the barbaric punishment admin- istered to the Africans in the Congo by the Belgian people during the reign of Leopold, King of Bel- gium — that is why for centuries civilization has halted on the borders of Africa, fettered by auto- cratic imperial governments; that is why the llnited States Negro stormed and swept Ger- many with shot and shell like the hurricane in a black cloud sweeps the great Atlantic. At the be- ginning of the European war, the imperial Ger- man Government not being in a position to trans- port Africans for service in the German army, pro- tested that the colored race be not permitted to fight in Europe; that the colored race would domi- note the white race. That France and Ensland were mobilizing Negroes for service and many a black heel will be turned to the sun. The natives, a brave and loyal people, disgusted with German im- perialism, were refused service in South Africa, walked to Europe to fight. The West Africans fought in South Africa. They needed but little training to win their battles and rent the German ranks with great disaster and rout, driving them from East Africa. The Germans after devastat- ing Belgium invaded over seven hundred square miles of French territory. Victorious over the French and British troops in each encounter on land, in the sky and beneath the sea was a demon- stration of the superiority of German militarism at the beginning of the world's greatest war. In possession of Verdun, entrenched and commanding the heights, Prince Eitel Frederic, the favorite son of the king commander of the German foot guards on the right wing, watched for the signal to storm — 11 — Paris from below and above, while the huge guns of Austria and Germany spoke in the doors of Paris, while monuments, palaces and historic ca- thedrals were rent by explosive projectiles hurled from Zeppelins above them. Prince Eitel Frederic in command of the German foot guards was re- ported dead in battle from fright in an encounter with Negro troops September, 1914, discovered later the Prince had fainted. The German troops defeated, retreated in great disorder, a rout that demonstrated the superiority of the Negro soldier and that democracy shall not perish. The Charge to Black Soldiers by the French Commander "Soldiers of France, the world's truest democracy, Your battle will decide if France shall perish. Vive la Democracy! Vive la Democracy! Death to autocracy! "Strike the German right wing — You must save the pride of France Repel, repel the troops of the king, Vive la France! Vive la France! Charge Bayonet! Charge the enemy! Charge! Then down charged the Black cavalry Followed by the Black Brigade, They eclipsed the world with their chivalry By the great charge they made, For more than a thousand leagues over dale and field Rained bursting shot and shell. Black soldiers rode with nerves of steel While foe and comrade fell; And I spied them, rapidly firing as they rode half bent Dashing past their message of death Straight to the German ranks they went Until they felt their horses breath; Then, thrusting their bayonets and lancets they led, Around them shrapnel fell. Many a German lay far from his head That fought once so brave and well. —12— The brave brigade, blown from beneath by Ger- man mines, Black heroes rushed in great haste To fill the gaps rent in their lines Fighting Germans face to face. Many fell, dispatched by bombs from a trench That blighted all ties of love, They fought, 'they fought inch by inch' While aviators watched from above. Still, tearing flesh with guns asunder, They forced the Germans to a clinch. Hark! the artillery thundered. While they charged from trench to trench. The Black Soldiers won their battle the day When German foot guards fled. Remember, men, remember! The great charge they led. France then flashed the news from land to land Of her dusky warriors' terrific fight, Their bloody lancet charges hand to hand Caused the German prince to die from fright. (The prince had fainted). FOOLS HAVE RULES DEPORTMENT Running automobiles and railroad trains Are reckless running fools When in the Church When in the Schools Be governed by the rules. LOYALTY The French will fight for France The Japs for Japan All Nations will fight for the Stars and Stripe With the loyal Colored man. —13— THE SEARCH FOR THE CHAMPION I. The news M^as flashed far and wide Of a Champion who courted in a different tribe When the news spread, through town The world's Champion could not be found They searched the fields and around the lake They searched and searched until their bodies ached They watched empty houses and looked up the trees Imagined they heard some one sneeze rhey searched the alleys, they searched the street Trailed men in the dark afraid to speak They searched the city until the break of day "^Vhere the Champion was no one would say The club rooms were searched And mansions that looked grand But failed to find the great fighting man. II. At last the news spread through the town The World's Champion had been found When he was arraigned in court for trial His attorneys argued for quite a while Prosecutors swore hard against the fighting man Looked sideways at the judge on his stand Her race wanted to establish a fact That he was guilty of the white slave act He has deserted our race his race said We dislike the maiden and the life he has led Are you guilty or not? the Judge haughtily said Looking over his glasses and shaking his head I love the maiden was all he would tell And was commanded back to his prison cell. III. Then through the bars to his friends he would talk And up and down his cell floor walk Call the guards and kimbo stand A thousand dollar diamond glittered on his hand A diamond cross he wore on his vest And a greater diamond on his breast —14— All of his gold was won by chance Like a statue he stood in his broadcloth pants His cell was built for the strong and weak But when he failed to walk or speak Cupidity over him would seek Then easy to the cell his guards would creep Then through the bars his guards would peep And watch the World's Champion sleep. IV. When the night had passed away The Champion arose at the break of day And called for champaign in a glass The World's Champions have lived too fast The Champion was black and the maiden was white Many of each race thought the match was not right "I will gain my liberty," he would swear and cry "To punish me here there is no just reason why I know my enemies, their hands I have felt This is all a conspiracy to reclaim my belt" His race was great, hers was greater still Declared his claim to the title could not be killed To hold him longer there is no excuse And demanded the Champion turned loose. V. Said he it is prejudice that seeks my belt to take I will carry my honors from the United States Then he sought the maiden for a ride And lawfully took her to his side The news was flashed far and wide He had married a maiden of the white tribe For the m.aiden his race cared naught For the Champion her race cared naught By this lesson each race is taught Romances like the Champions each race is wroth Flirting out of your race never be caught Think of the Champion and never be sought When you seek for your bride Go not into a different tribe. Copyright 1919, by B. Sampson. —15— MARCHING OUT GODS OF HELL San Juan Hill July the Fourth, eighteen hundred and ninety-eight The Rough Riders fell, Excited at the guns of hell — Was there a reason why Brave men should fear to die On the Fourth Day of July? There was their rivalry, The Ninth and Tenth cavalry. Think of their chivahry, Honor their bravery, Fearing not their lives to sell, Dashing to the gods of hell. What was their fate to be? Only wait and see. Was there a reason why Brave men should fear to die On the Fourth Day of July? All the world listened still When they stormed San Juan Hill. The Ninth and Tenth cavalry — Think of their chivalry, Honor their bravery; They spied their way was shut By barriers they quickly cut, On and on they rode and fell Through a rain of shot and shell. Spitting through the doors of hell. Was there a reason why Brave men should fear to die On the Fourth Day of July? All the world listened still When they stormed San Juan Hill. The Ninth and Tenth cavalry — Think of their chivalry. Honor their bravery; Dashing by the barriers they broke, Gazing through a cloud of smoke —16— While rifle and canon spoke; On and on they rode and yelled. Fearing not their lives to sell, Dashing to the gods of hell. Was there a reason why Brave men should fear to die On the Fourth Day of July? All the world listened still When they stormed San Juan Hill. The rough riders had blundered — Spanish guns thundered, Man o' wars lumbered, All the world wondered What their fate would be — Only wait and see. The Spanish fort ceased to roar; And guns of death were heard no more. What was her fate to be? Only wait and see. Black Soldiers were coming still, Dashing, yelling up the hill. Was there a reason why Brave men should fear to die On the Fourth Day of July ? All the world listened still When they stormed San Juan Hill. They heard the clatter of horses' feet, They heard the brave Black Soldiers speak, They heard the signal of a buglar's call, Excited they stood, backs to the wall. Their flag was lowered in their face. The Stars and Stripes raised in its place. The Black Soldiers come true as night, Afraid not to die or fight; They gazed around at them that fell. While marching out the gods of hell. —17— DR. C. R. TUCKER'S JUBILEE At Vernon Chapel A. M. E. Church Conducted by L. C. McDuffie, Producer, Jubilee Preacher, New York Evangelist. Away back in the rostum sit the Great Divine Facing twenty Christians in a circle line Every denomination were crowding in the door When the New York Evangelist stood jumjing on the floor. In their spirit one could see Dr. C. R. Tucker's Jubilee. A silver haired Christian looked with a solemn smile A woman dressed in a fine black suit Shouted up and down the aisle One shouted across the rostrum Shaking and wringing her hand In front of the circle an old apostle jumped With the preaching New York man There was shouting in the choir And all over the floor People of every walk in life were crowding in the door In their spirit one could see Dr. C. R. Tucker's Jubilee. Around the pulpit the evangelist rushed And commanded the ministers to arise Preaching like a swamp angel looking to the skies In a demonstration of the Hebrew Boys forced tears to leap in eyes Singing in the pulpit Pointing back to the door The New York evangelist began Preaching on the floor In their spirit one could see Dr. C. R. Tucker's Jubilee. —18— From the East, West, North and the South Were people who sit and stood near the door When the New York evangehst stopped preach- ing on the floor Magnifying himself ministers he failed to score, For when he finished his long discourse The Dr. Tucker was seen to stand Bursting forth in eloquence Called the New York Minister's hand. The New York Evangelist Had not much more to say He complimented a little Octaroon At the piano he began to play Then sleep began to surround People who worked the next day Grasping their wraps home bound A few silently stole away. THE BATTLE BETWEEN JACK JOHNSON AND JEFFRIES El Reno, Nevada A Negro stood on a Chicago street With structual arms and athlete feet His eyes looked fierce as a Montana lion He was standing still as a statue of iron. In his mouth was a cigar turned towards his nose While the ashes fell down to his toes The smoke was curling towards the skies Satisfied he would win the prize. One day he was called in the ring To tell the world what tune to sing He fought like a man with strength to spare Danced around with his feet in the air. He punched like he was punching a sack And soon had Jeff on his back —19— When Jeff came to he tried to rise But discovered he could not see the skies He spied Jack standing looking so stout And decided it was he who put him out. Fitzsimmons hung his head and cried Jim Corbet rushed up to his side And said "Come on Jeff, You can win the sack" Jeff whispered "No, no, boys, I can't come back. HOME What is Home? The house where I was born From which I have left and gone Found my bride and divorced one day Returned when my head was gray. Is that Home? What is Home? The house where I was raised Left for school in my early days Strayed in the parting ways Could have stayed all my days Is that Home? What is Home? The village where I was born The estate that my Father owned Died when his head was gray Still there my good old Mother stay Is that Home? What is Home? The house that thy money bought Saving and scheming was thy thought To bank enough to buy a Home To tell the world it is thy own Is that Home? What is Home? Prepare for peace at Home. Under the flag that made thee free Is hope for a true Democracy. —20— THE BATTLE BETWEEN JACK JOHNSON AND MORAN AT PARIS, FRANCE In the Valedome Dehiver I. Fellow Countrymen, Ladies and Gentlemen Listen to a true story The world will never forget In the Veledome Dehiver Thirty-five thousand people set Invited by the Champion On his Belt to come and Bet. II. There sit Lords and Dukes from England And Judges from Japan Listening to the Music By the gay old Paris Band. III. There sit the Prince of Germany To witness the game of chance The Princess Poet of England And the Premier of France. IV. There sit the Black Queen of India In her fine toga, a gown There sit the Champions Enemies' faces filled with frown. V. When the band began to play French Airs it would render Kings and Queens sit that day In their finest jewels and splender. VI. There sit the King of Eg5T)t And sports a long way from home There sit the King of Italy And the greatest men of Rome. . VII. Flags of every nation Floated around the ring that day Before the battle started The Champion was heard to say "Take the Stars and Stripes Away." —21— VIII. When the music ended Rushed a milHonaire in from Spain Georges Carpenter then ascended To referee the game. IX. At the sound of the gong The gladiators were seen to stand Walk to the center of the ring Shake each other's hand. A step backwards on guard The battle for the belt began. X. There sit the Champion's enemies With all their noise and fuss When the battle ended hurried away in disgust The Champion played for a while On his face he wore a golden smile. XI. Before the sound of the gong Moran was knocked through the ropes Then every one lamented For all the world's White Hopes. XII. Georges Carpenter then stepped forward Looking left and right Shouted out in the Veledome Jack Johnson won the fight. CHIEF ALFRED SAM A minister said as he stood on the street, When a member of his church rushed by, "Dear brother, you should take time to speak. For we must all take time to die." "Why, pardon me," his member said, "I am selling my real estate, The black man's rights in this country is dead, So I have decided- to Emigrate." "If you would take my advice. You would never sell your land, —22— But defend your home, wife and life. And be a braver man." "Reverend, you is a book-learned man ; You have read from a to z, But in the United States I wants no land, I am bound for Afrikee." "Emigrate wherever you please, The law cannot prevent. But if you sail away with Chief Alfred Sam, You will regret the day you went." "Brother, contend for your rights in the United States With the loyal sons of Ham; To emigrate would mean to retrograde A sacrifice for Chief Alfred Sam." CARRY YOUR OWN FUEL Pat and O'Connor one day in May, Were coming to America, cheerful and gay; O'Connor became seasick and died on the way. So preparations were made for his burial at sea. The leaden weights for burials had been lost ; The captain said he must be buried at any cost. They searched for weights but could find no trace, So lumps of coal were substituted in their place. When the remains were prepared for their last sad rites And just before they were lowered out of sight Pat arose and said, "O'Connor, my friend, I sol- emnly swear, I know we both had to go down there. But I am doomed if I had ever been told They made you bring your own fire coal." GOSSIPERS Stop running your tongues About people telling what others say It is not the life we have lived It is the life we live today. —23— INDEX Introduction 3 Debate _..._ 5 Powder and Paint Decorous 7 What Is Progress? 8 Should the Negro Emigrate? 9 Pierpont Morgan 10 Greatest Battle European War 11 Fools Have Rules Deportment 13 Loyalty 13 The Search for the Champion 14 Marching Out Gods of Hell 16 Dr. C. R. Tucker's Jubilee 18 Battle Between Jack Johnson and Jeffries 19 Home 20 Battle Between Jack Johnson and Moran 21 Chief Alfred Sam 22 Carry Your Own Fuel 23 -24- LIBRARY OF CONGRESS ^t^%^i'MM'''^0;m 006 916 152 2