Evening star., 1898-05-30
LOYAL COLORED MEN
They Are Anxious to Volunteer and Fight
for Their Country.
Leaders Feel That They Have Been
Discriminated Agafnst-A District
Regiment Proposed.

There is a well-defined movement on foo
in Washington and many other cities ant
states throughout the Union to have tht
President accept, under the second call fol
volunteers, number of colored regiments
The colored people declare that they ar:
ready and anxious to serve their country
and they feel they have SO far been slishtet
IN the choosing Of troops by the United
States. 1t is claimed that in many Of the
southern states the colored PEOPLE have
been willing, and even anxious, to volun
teer, but that they have bean given no con-
siderdtion by the local authorities. Severa
OF these states are said to be behind hand
in their quotas of volunteers, but still the
officials are unwilling to accept colored
troops The only way in which the colored
men have been able to testify their loyalty
IT is said, is by entering the regiments OF
imn,Unes. The leaders of the race feel thai
their people are being unjustly discrir1fn-
ated against, and complain that when the
votes of the colored people are wanted all
sorts of promises are made, but that now
when there is an opportunity for the
negroes to show their willingness to fight
for the government their offer is not &C.
cepted.
Here In Washington the effort will be
made to allow the colored people of the
District of Columbia and Maryland TO fur
1L5n a complete regiment lOr the war
MIR. Daniel Murray, speaking on the sub
ject, says:
Il have been active in urging that under
the second call of the President Maryland
and the District of Columbia be given a
regiment of colored troops. 1t Is so emf
nently fair and so pregnant with political
wisdom that / feel sanguine that We will
get 1t. My activity has not been of my
own seeking, since i am not expecting ap-
pointment for myself or my friends. True,
/ have man in view to head the regiment,
but his qualifications are his recommends
tion and his fitness is fully conceded by the
highest military authorities in this coun-
try. When the District was given a regi-
ment under the first call the colored people
of this city with remarkable unanimity re-
Trained from active effort to share the
same, believing justice would be done them
In any subsequent call They now ask the
aid of all lovers of fair play and justice to
unite in aiding them in this effort.
There is now in this city efficient or
ganization of four companies drilled and
equipped ready to enlist at the word. As
surances are at hand from similar organ
lzatons in adjoining states ready to merge
their numbers in the regiment. All recog-
piZe the capacity and fitness of Major
Fleetwood, who is urged as colonel. Gen.
VIM. Birney speaks of him in the highest
terms So does Major Urell. who says to
the Secretary of War: If another call for
volunteers becomes necessary l take pleas
pre- and pride in recommending Major
Fleetwood. who received a medal of honor
PROM tNt 1SU-I6SS lpT SdlIdIIFS III action
et Chopin's Farm. Va. September %, 1864.
He was sergeant major of the 4th L. S.
ColOred Troops. who, when the two color
bearers had been shot down, seized the
colors and bore them nobly through the
Hght.' We are not asking that some I'M
Tried man shall be given recognition, that
ne may enjoy the emoluments. but are
anxious that our men of capacity shall
nave an opportunity to demonstrate the ca
pacity of the race. Our friends will give
IS this on the score of simple justice. Our
man is also inGorsed by Major w. II. APP
pletOn Of New York, Capt. John Bigelow,
/. S. ~. and Col. VIM. G. Moore of this
Mty
LAS far as I can learn. there is no one
tontendirg with Major Fleetwood for the
District regiment. and / am assured the
ne1 of Maryland. his old home, and West
Virginia will join him to man. Thus all
fction in this matter will be removed from
he District and two adjoining states. 1t
tuGld be arranged to make this one of the
eGiments composed of immunes since col
ired men generally are proof against such
timatic conditions as exist in Cuba or the
Philippines. 1 have great hopes of sue
less"