The colored American., 1900-11-17


fhey were all Americans. The world
was breathless in beholdiDg the gallant
and dashiDg charges of our latter.dsv
soldiery. Upon the common l-yel of
strife Ia arms there is no color Man.
hood is the requirement anc test: .to
do or die" is the condition. Here wss
waged war for oppressed humanity
II was not white mans war or e3n.
fiict out of which to make black heroes.
but it was supreme effort OF g Justly
indignant people and soldiery OF the
new world against the ancient bsr.
osrity OF the old. Out Of the conflict
came men, white and black, who had
withstoOd like creatures of iron such
baptism of fire and lead that "aIl the
world wondered
Spe aking Of the Negroes, Gen, Hsw.
kins says OF San Juan, that the blacks
of the Gath Infantry took of their hats
and sang, "Oh say does the star spangIed
banner yet wave o'er the land Of the
free and the home of the brave y IN
the verv teeth of Spanish foe who con.
tinuslly harrassed them with deadly
fire. On October 14th, 'eS, our presj.
dent st the tomb of the immortal Lin.
coin spoke these words; "The name of
Lincoln is an Inspiration and holy
one TO all lsvers Of liberty the world
over. He saved the Union. He libe'
rated race-a race which he once said
ought to be free because there might
come time when these black men
could keep the jewel of liberty within
the family of freedom II any vindi.
cation of that act or of that prophecy
were needed, 1t was found when those
black men ascended the hill of San
Juan in Cuba and charged the enemy
at FL Caney. They vindicated their own
title TO liberty on that field and with
our other brave soldiers gave the price.
less gift Of liberty TO another suffering
race Indeed, those that had the op.
portunity to fight did nobly. Our sol
diery in camp made excellent records
and gave evidence that had they reached
the firing line, sold Glory" would have
been well protected
Ohio sent with other states black bows
in blue who came from the bes families
and were impeiled with highest mott,
tives. All honor TO the Ninth with its
sable Major Young, product of the
highest military academy in the world,
the school that furnished immortality
with names like Sht ridan, Sherman
and Grant.
North Carolina sent thousand, com.
manded from corporal 10 colonel By
black men TO fight for the freedom Of
foreign people. Only the breeze ofO
portunity was wanting to fan their
patriotism into heroic action. True, We
had no HObsOn or ocean hero, since the
honor OF entering our nations naval
school, though opened to q japanese,
has never been granted TO deseendent
of our race We are proud and jealous
of our soldieTy. Long live the black
Ninth and Tenth Cavalry. Long live
tee Oath and 25th infantry and our
IL, 600 volunteers TO the coUntry's call.
Scattered throughout the land are the
silent mounds OF some Of the blacks
who fell fighting for Cnbs and Amefl-
cas- national honor. From these voice
less graves like incense arises this senu
meDt: Treat my people with IsE and
justice. We lay down our lives u these
humble graves that our mothers and
fathers and race might command
through our willing death, full ciusaI-
ship in this governments and an eeUS-
right in all Things American, Behind
US we leave our sisters aud sweethesris
for whom we have died that that they
may be honored along with the rest OF