New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-25
opJECT "JIM CROW" CARS
.,-,,RrRs OF THE 18th INFANTRY IN
D1GNANT AT RACE PREJUDICE.

-,v PROTEST AGAINST THE SPECIAL CARS FOR
xr.cRoEs IN THE soUTIl-TIE LAW MUST BE
oBEYED. SAYS COLONEL. BURT.
,.,oN A STAFF CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBuNE.l
ch,cka.nauga Ca. April 24.-The members
=, the 18th United States Infantry stationed
=, Chickamauga Park Camp Boynton, have
ox,erienced that the war against the blacks in
,,e southern states is not over. Admission to
the ordinary cars denied to several mem
hers Of the regiment who were compelled to
ride on Jim Grow" cars set aside for blacks.
The following circular was then drawn. and
after many signatures had been attached to
I. was handed TO Colonel Burt:
tn the Enlisted Men. 25th United States In
fantry. at Camp Boynton, ChickamauSa
Park. &C.
Fellow Soldiers: 1t becomes an ali important
and ,ncispens able duty for the unders gned to
invite YOUR most particular attention TO the eX-
letting circumstances connected with the means
~ transportation to and from different points
IN the section Of the country We are now in.
The facts concerning the existence Of Jim
crow" car are too well known 10 ali TO require
reneating This car has Us entity and is pro-
,ected by the laws of the State. The Law. under
any and all circumstances must be supported.
and we, Is citizens. have our Obligations.
AS the voice OF the reople is the voice OF
Cod" SO also. do we feel assured that voice
the regimental sentiment. officers and men, when
we state that this condition Of affairs is not In
accord with the relation that we bear to this
our great and glorious Government, where free
aon Of action and liberty of thought and speech
are cons;itutonally accorded each and every
one OF its subjects.
The Importance OF the sacred mission that We
are now has not as yet brought these au-
,horities 10 the point OF realizing that our
labors difficulties and sacrifices are for the pro-
lection and good Of the community, OF the peo-
Me and the country at large.
The fact that the wearers OF the blue since our
arrival here have been presented with objections
10 them occupying seats and places where a
dollar assures occupancy TO others Is tanta-
mount 10 saying that our position or duty does
not change our attitude.
Drastic power will not-in this case-accom-
nlish the desired point. bur honest and manly
EFFORT and time arr the only solving mediums
OF his complicated problem.
Let US therefore. not Only exhb. ourselves as
thorouchlv disciplined soldiers but anticipate
the wishes OF our superior officers by showing
ourselves good citizens as well when we comply
with the law implicitly. Bow to the inevitable
tempt any such action or legislation.
Then 20 every man 81 this command who
will attach his name 70 this paper oe It under
stood that he pledges himself that he will not
step from his pedestal Of manly dignity. a
citizen and active protector OF the United States
and patronze Jim Crow car unless actually
necessitated by military duty but on the other
hand will accept the services Of private con-
veyances. or walk TO the desired points.
On the same day Colonel Burt issued the fol-
lowing order:
HEADQUARTERS 25th Infantry. Camp Boynton. Ga.
April Il. 1895.
The laws OF Tennessee and Georgia require
that white and colored people occupy different
cars on railroads A car is provided for each
class on every train.
All men are enjolned 10 obey the law.
II IS our duty to obey the laws OF all States In
which we are stationed North or South
BY order OF COLONEL BORI
WILLIAM B. COCHRAN,
Second Lieutenant and Acting Adtutant 25th
Infantry.
Among :he signers Of the protest was Private
Edward 3. Johnson. stalwart fellow. who wa:
graduated from Lincoln University when he was
sixteen years old. After receiving his Bachelor
Of Arts degree ne took a two years POSTCARD
uate course at Harvard. and finally drifted into
the 25th Regiment.