Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-02-10
For Aged and Infirm CoIored People.

tor Nged ana Inhrn Soiofed IeOpie.
To the Editor ~ TIE Evening Star.
In yesterdays STAR Mr.. J. X. Ballard under
the caption Other Use for the Money" OPP
poses very bitterly the bill introduced in the
senate BY Representative NJ G. Butler to pro-
vide for aged and infrm colored people a home
out OF the money due and unclaimed by colored
soldiers. Money due ard unclaimed this
account very properly belongs to the miscella-
ueoas fund Of the government. subject to the
direction Of Congress with the approval of the
fre-ldeut. and not for such disposition as Mr..
Ballard and the oil -oldiers las his article ell
desvors 10 prejudice may demand. How came
this monev due. For what purpose did those
colorei soldiers enlist
The answer is plain. Fortunately the war
and human slavery are over. The results are
evident. The bitter sectional feelings engen-
dered are fast disappearing and will soonibe I'M
known. The conditions OF affairs are rapidly
adjusting themselves to the new ORDER OF things.
Many man who won distinction in the confed-
eraCy Is now an earnest advocate Of one grand
government In the United States. and as here
preseated. champion of the aged and infirm OF
the lor2 dovn-troddeu race in America. The
nagnanlmity Of such attempt this one
msde BY NJ. Butler will live in the affection of
, all True Americans and lovers OF mercy and
Justice long after his critics are forgotten.
Let rs remember that the aged and infirm COL
ored people Of today had passed almost beyond
the ability TO accumulate anything in 1865
that they were liberated from slavery in an
iliiterate condition, totally devoid of any of the
qualifications for business. and wholly depend
ent upon their labor, of the most mental kind,
for support.
Ii Is quite true that the colored people in
this country-yes. in thi. city erect churches
worth $4,000 and $50, coo land evens so. 900
and pay for them. But is not that the strong
est Kind of evidence that the colored people OF
this generation are making wonderful progress
| in civilization education. Christianity. wealth
and every essential manner necessary to good
citizenship;
/ That assertion by Mr.. Ballard takes away
every particle of argument in his article.
I In this advanced age Of civilization and free
| schools no man can successfully accuse colored
/ people Of no; reaching a much higher standard
| than the most ssngulne ever hoped them to at
/ tain III the short time since o.
Ii Is hoped that Congress will do the righ
thing BY the aged colored people in this in
stance, and We of this generation can care fol-
| ourselves. Justice appeals to you III this in
J stance and the murrnurs OF the preiudiceC
| should have no influence.
/ The old soldiers whom Mr.. Ballard allege,
will that this fund will not be diverted il
the direction named by Mr. Butler" will FIND
themselves very diligently engaged for som,
tune TO come III looking out for legislation mos
dear to them. The 65,O 600. 900 people OF thi
country have little settlement to effect with
these people, and they may well look after
their own Affairs and let Mr.. Buffers bill alone
Give the aged colorsd people of today a HON,
IN which TO die and add renewed brilliancy Il
| the bright star of American civilization
| A for the young colOred people. only give III
| ar equal chance with Mr.. Ballard and let u
stand OF fall by our own merits. J. A. BERRY.