Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-06-04
A BURNING QUESTION.

The question of offering negro volun-
teer troops is a burning one, and should
be discussed with calm, cool. judgment.
The Governor of Alabama has taken the
position that they should be commanded,
as tn the regular United States army,
by white commissioned officers. The Gill
mer Rifles, of Mobile, "a negro organiza-
ton, has decided not to volunteer with
out their colored officers. The Mobile
Register, writing upon the subject, con-
cludes its article as follows:
I'VE advise the negroes who are anx-
ious 10 serve 10 present themselves for
such service as the State proposes. They
Will find in a very short while that the
question of officers will be settled In a
manner that will command their appro-
val, even If II be not I'm accordance with
their present notions on the subject"
We heartily agree with the Governor
OF Alabama, and think that I'm this, as in
other matters pertaining to the United
States volunteers, our regular army
should be taken as the pattern. In the
regular array. as we have said. the negro
troops are Differed by white commits
stoned officer Theoretically 1t is the
custom 10 assign negro graduates of
West Point TO negro regiments, but care
is taken that few Segroes shall enter
West Point. In our regular army,
so far as we know, there is but
one negro officer; in our navy there
is no negro ofTiceri Why then, should
there be difference made between the
regular negro troops and the volunteer
negro troops? What is good for the one
is good for the other.
In enacting the law for the organiza-
ton Of the volunteer army, the Con-
gress of the United States provided that
each Governor might commission officers
below the grade of brigader-general, save
and excepting the general staff officers.
1t was evidently intended to give the ex-
ecgtives of the various States the OPP
portunity to use their own judgment in
seeing that the volunteers of the United
States army are led by competent Off
GERS.
Ii is held BY some that the present
officers in our two negro battalions are
competent. inasmuch as they have been
commissioned, after being duly examined,
as officers in our State militia. Admit
ting that this is absolutely true. still we
contend that 1t Is only right that the
Governors should use their best judgment
in selecting those they consider most
capable to lead troops in the time OF
war. There is vast difference Between
war and peace.
There could be no better guide for us in
this matter than the present complexion |
OF the regular United States army. And |
so we say that officers who have received |
thorough military training, say graduates
Of the Virginia Military Institute and |
Blacksburg. should be placed i'm command |
Of our colored troops. This would insure |
the betterment of the service and con- |
duce to the welfare of the negro troops |
themselves Should any members Of the |
two bettalions refuse 10 volunteer with |
ont their present officers. they would have |
the right so TO do. They should be dealt |
with in straightforward manner and |
given 70 understand just what they may |
expect Those who will not volunteer
may stand aside and give place TO others |
who VIII. and we believe there are thou |
sands OF our colored citizens who arc
ready and willing to volunteer for this
Nars in companies commanded by white
toNcers