New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-05-23
COMMUNICATIONS
7 Eqaality I'm the Grave
o the Editor IF n. A., 49,,

justice can there be in discriminating anon,
men in their graves? In the principles o
Christianity where is this laid down? In tn,
Constitution of the United States where i.
this recognized? Yet Christian people
have practiced it year by year in the decora
ton OF the soldiers graves at Arlington, il
TINS city. was never more surprised than
when, year ago, I attended the decoration
ofthe graves of solders, many of whom fought
IN the support of the Union, and observed
crowds OF persons passing unobservedly the
sacred spot where thousands OF colored mem.
bones lie buried in the dust, and this unob
servance was more remarkable and painful
when was told that colored men subscribed
money and time to the decoration of the
white soldiers graves, while not a glance
was cast by any one at those graves in which
lie men who fought bravely, not so much fol-
their liberty, as this was not certain, as in the
salvation of the Union. No heather rite
nor savage practice among the uncivilized
nations of the earth, can find its parallel in
in this treatment. Discrimination among
dead bones! WHAT'S the use of your churches
and your Christianity when its advocates
can perpetrate such diabolical acts of inhu.
manity?
The 30th of this month is set apart for the
decoration of soldiers graves. humbly APP
peal to civilized community, Christian
people, a Republic based upon equality to
all men, Government of righteousness, to
Ixri,N ~, low NJ
light, that leaf from which men have read to
discriminate among their fellow men even in
the grave. Colored and white orators send
your voices to Heaven in praise of the bravery
of men-not white men alone, but white and
colored. Pay tribute to both these classes,
irrespective of color or past condition !!
Wreathe the grave of the colored and white
man! Link them with evergreen in token
of their firmness to just cause! have no
desire to see another decoration based upon
discrimination of color.
When we contemplate the close of life, the
silence that now reigns among those who, a
little while ago, were so busy, and others
who, needless to the cries of father and
mother, deaf to the lamentation of their chill
dren, regardless of the wailing of friends,
entered the battlefield, with strong and
sinewy arms, fighting in the great cause of
the preservation of the Union, who can avoid
being touched with sensations at once awful
and tender? What heart but then warns
with the glow of humanity? In whose eye
does not the tear gather ON thinking of the
past struggles, the success of which gave life
and liberty to the very men who deny us
respect, and not only upon the face of the
earth, but erect barrier in the grave.
The poor colored soldier, once slave, has
lain down the burden of his wearisome life.
No more shall he hear the insolent calls of
his master. No more shall he be raised from
needful slumber, nor be hurried from his
lowly meal to undergo the repeated labors
Of the day. Oh, vain and inconstant world!
Oh, fleeing and transient life! When will
the sons of men learn to think of thee as
they ought? When will the white man learn
humanity to the negro?
But am cautioned ere lay the blame OH
the wrong mans shoulders. In part this is
true. Why is it that our colored citizens
themselves do not pay the merited tribute to
the graves of the heroes of their race, of
whom they were not few? The G. A. r.
claims that the right is yours, the exercise of
it is your choice. Then be not wanting in
showing like esteem for the departed soldier
of African descent. 1t is natural for the
white man to take care of his own. The fowl
nestles her own chickens. The lioness de-
tends her own cub, and this seems to be ma
lures teaching. We can no more ask the
white man to decorate the graves of our col
ored soldiers than we can compel him to
take seat beside us in any public place.
The right to sit where we please we ask, and
the same must be given to him. But what
excuse have our colored ladies and prominent
colored men? Why do not the former as
semble at the rooms where the flowers are
deposited and make wreaths, &C., to decorate
the graves Of our colored soldiers? Why do
not the latter speak in praise Of the heroes
in the colored ranks? This is imperative so
no alternative. 1t is shameful to see our
colored ladies mingling in a crowd Of white
ladies', the latter over the graves of the dead
Of their race, the former with their backs to
the dead of their race.
/ prefer a common action in common
cause. hate discrimination. In the former
portion of my letter wish to call attention
to past prejudices, traces of which are still to
| be seen.
know the G.. A. Il. has in it's ranks col
ored gentlemen, who would lose their right
arm before they would ally themselves to a
discriminating class Of people. But what can
a few do when large numbers stand and look
on, talk, and lay blame without knowing
facts. On our part action is needed in all
directions. We are to work out our own sal
Walton. This day, nay this hour, calls loudly
for union. None the less does reason call
for equality. 1t is my earnest hope that on
the coming day new order Of things will be.
That shall see equal esteem shown for the
heroes who died in common cause. Colored
and white ladies over the graves of men ire
tspective of color. Ifnot let it be our duty to
teach love as Christianity teaches it. Dis