The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-05-01
COLORED CITIZEN AS A SOLDIER.
The Part He Has Played in the Wars
of the United States.

OIL the united states.
Editor Morning News; I beg to record
my hearty endorsement Of your editorial in
this mornings paper, calling attention to
the fact that "the present opportunity for
colored citizens of the United States to
demonstrate their appreciation of the lib
critics they are afforded under this govern
ment, and their worthiness to exercise the
rights and franchise accorded them,is such
as will probably not be presented again for
a very long time"
While this is the first time since the
emancipation that the colored citizen and
voter has had an opportunity to show his
patriotism by fighting the battles of his
country, you are, of course, well aware
that there has been no war waged In de-
Tense of this country in which the colored
man has not been a conspicuous and val
liant fighter. There is hardly an American
interest or contest from the days of Col
umbus to the days of Mckinley, that the
black man has not played an important
part. He helped to discover and explore
this country, to win it from the French
and Indians, to free it from British rule
and to hold the union intact If he did this
when he was a hunted slave, with no
rights and no privileges beneath the Star
Spangled Banner, you need not doubt him
to-day, when, by the constitution of his
state and the nation, he is clothed with
every right, privilege, and immunity guar
anteed to any other citizen, His past re-
cord shows that in proportion 10 his intel
ligence and opportunity, no dweller in
these United States has more loyalty, read
lily and bravely poured out his blood in de-
Tense of the nations honor and territory
than the negro.
The war history of the United States.
fully written, would be sprinkled with
deeds of heroism and valor by the negro
soldier. Yes, into whatever avenue of
life, in peace or war, we have been per-
mitted to 60 we have endeavored to meet
the reasonable expectations of all who
desired the welfare of our common coun-
try. Whether as a slave-laborer-piling up
the wealth of the nation, or as a free
man-toiling in the open field for the ne
cessities of life, or as a student in che
school room in quest of knowledge which
would render him a capable citizen, OF as
a soldier, fighting the battles of the Union,
though sometimes uncheered by any fixed
hope of untrammeled civil or political lib
erty the negro has been as Steady In bis
patriotism as the needle to the pole. In
what battle in what slnrmish, when en-
trusted with the flag of his country, has
the negro not returned his colors with
victory or reported to God the reason why.
You remember the story of the First Lou
isiana Regiment? 1t will bear repetition
here and at this time.
In the late war between the states the
First Louisiana Regiment of colored sol
diers recruited in New Orleans, was about
to take its departure for the front. The
colonel, who, for some reason, could not
accompany them, presented the regimen
tai flags to the color sergeant. Aft
er brief speech, full of
patriotic feeling he concluded with these
words: "Color-guard, protect, defend, die
for but do not surrender these flags" The
sergeant, upon receiving them, made this
simple but noble response: Colonel,
will bring back these colors to you in hon
or or report to God the reason why" And
when few days afterward, during an as
sault on Port Hudson, he fell defending
the flag and his dying blood crimsoned it's
folds, another took his place and saved 1t
from falling into the hands of the enemy.
The brave standard bearer kept his word,
and in failing to return the colors to the
hands that had committed them to his
care, he reported to God the reason why
You need not, Mr.. Editor. fear for, or
doubt, the negro soldier or the patriotism
of the negro in general. All he wants, In
any avenue of life, whether in peace or
war, is freeman's chance
r. R. Wright.