Joseph W. Henderson to Woodrow Wilson

The enclosures will give to you the fact that we have arranged for the First National Patriotic Conference gathering of Colored men, yet held during this serious crisis of our dear Nation's life. As encouraging this Patriotic purpose call conference, Governor R. Livingston Beeckman of Rhode Island, has personally contributed and will in an opening speech welcome the Conference Delegates. Governor Marcus H. Holcomb has written me his goodly promise to send Connecticut to this Conference.
These two patriotic Governors will corroborate these facts if you desire them to. While it is true that we Colored people are burdened with grievances that we would like to see eliminated, it is further true that we realize this to be no time for indifference on the part of any loyal American. We are determined that nobody shall question our faith in our President, our patriotism our loyalty. The ultimate object of this forthcoming conference is not only to publicly pledge ourselves to our conuntry's call but at the earliest possible period to have 50,000 Colored men organized for such patriotic purpose call that you, our trusted leader, may deem proper to make upon them.
Personal subscriptions are our chief sources of expense raising. If convenience will allow you to now honor us with a personal contribution, you would thus send patriotic cheer to your thousands of trusted supporters in this trembling cause. While these serious times might not allow you to be present and speak at our Conference, yet we sincerely trust that you will send someone to represent you in one of our conference public speaking meetings, perferably your gifted secretary.
As we are subject to your guidance and orders, I solicit your counsel and await your reply and command.