The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-06-10
A Question of Officers.

There would be no difficulty in getting a
regiment OF colored men in this state-at
least leading colored men are of the opin-
ion that there wouldn't 1t was announced
some time ago that four companies of col
ored volunteers would be accepted from
Georgia, and that they would be a part Of
a colored regiment of immunes to be rails
ed in this part of the South, but, as yet, no
steps have been taken in this city TO en-
list colored men for the army. Col. De
veauX, who is at the head of the colored
militia here, says that there would be no
difficulty in getting a company of first
class men. Why there is delay in raising
companies of oolored volunteers in this
state no one appears to know.
Il is not improbable that there would be
some difficulty about officers If there
should be a call for colored volunteers
From all that can be learned the war de-
partment thinks that colored companies
and regiments should have white officers
To that view there is likely to be a great
deal of opposition on the part of the color
cd leaders, and the colored men who pro-
pose to enlist.
IT,.
was a large meeting of colored men who
were willing and anxious to enlist Those
who had put their names down as being
willing to enlist didn't appear to care a
great deal about the question as to wheth-
er their officers should be white or black
men, but the negro preachers and polite
ians were on hand and made speeches.
telling the volunteers to insist upon coiored
officers. If that should be Insisted upon
generally, it is probable that the plan of
having negro immune regiments would be
abandoned.
In the war department and in army cir
cles the impression prevails that the ne
groes make good soldiers, and there seems
to be no doubt that they would make good
fighters provided they were led by officers
In whom they have confidence. That is the
reason why it is desired that negro regi-
ments shall have white officers. In the reg.
ular army the negro companies and regi-
ments have white officers, and there is no
iii feeling between the soldiers and officers
on the ground of color.
1t would doubtless be better for the col
ored volunteers 10 have white officers who
have had some military experience, be-
cause the chances are that the men would.
! as a rule, obey them more readily. but it
is apparent that the colored politicians and
preachers are not going to rest easy untll
they get from the war department a de-
cision that colored volunteers shall have
| officers of their own color
! No doubt the colored leaders will contend
that colored officers who are entirely com
petent can be obtained. The reason that
colored volunteers have not been called for
is probably that the government doesn't
care to be bothered with the race issue in
VOWED in the question of officers for color
! ed volunteers If that is the case the
chances are chat oolored volunteers Will
not be called for as long as white volun-
teers offer freely. In New Orleans the col
ored leaders seem 10 think that Providence
ordered this war for the special purpose of
| solving the race problem. As long as they
! have that idea they will insist that the
colored volunteers shall have officers of
! their own color.