The colored American., 1903-04-18
FORTY YEARS OFF EEDoM
Continued from from page


account to God for her sins both OF
omission and commission. Americans
to a great extent are still unwilling to
recognize the Negro as bOna-hde cltl-
zen. a member of the body po1uc,
loyal patriot. Five hundred thousand
foreigners came to America during the
last year, and it is easier for that half
million to get remuneratlVe employ
ment than for the same number or
Negroes, who would lay down their
lives for the flag of this country; and
would also experience great difficulty
in receiving fair and just treatment.
Let it be remem bered that the Negro
did much to uphold the flag of this
country. 1t is sometimes claimed that
the Negroes ought to return to Africa,
Just as the Jews returned to Canaan.
1t was the order of Divine Providence
that the Jews should so back TO the
land of Israel. God commanded IT,
ordered the march, furnished leaders,
supplies, gave protection and guidance,
cut path across the sea, and destroy
ed the enemies of his people who at
tempted TO prevent their emigration.
God has not yet made known his de-
sire or purpose TO have the Negro re-
turn to Africa and up to this time has
not arranged for his transportation.
The Jews did not have the same claim
upon Egypt that The Negro has upon
America.
The American Negro has helped to
make America what is it. He played
a very important part in securing
American Independence.
The first blood Of the Revolutionary
struggle was that of a Negro, Crispus
Attucks; then Caldwell, Salem and
Maverick. Negroes showed their pa
triotism, love and devotion for Amer
lea by sealing it with their blood.
History records the deeds of Negro
soldiers in the war of 1912. In the
Civil War. 17S,975 Negro soldiers took
part in 249 battles, and rendered in
valuable service in defending old
glory and did much towards securing
their own emancipation, and that of
their race
The white men in the Union army
fought to preserve the Union, the Ne
glo soldiers fought for their freedom,
and the preservation of the Union.
Negro soldiers received S11-OO per
month for fighting. White soldiers re
ceived $500 per month.
Did the Negro die for his country.
] .et Fort Pillow answer. During that
ungodly massacre, Major Forest, at
the head of a division of the Confeder-
ate Cavalry, attacked and butchered
557 colored troops. AS fast as the
men surrendered they were murdered
Let Fort Wagner speak for the saith
Mass Regiment of Infantry.
"It was there Col. Shaw was saluted
by death and kissed by Immortality"
1t is said that at the battle of Fort
Fisher, near Wilmington. y. c., "The
colored troops fought with such valor
and desperation, begotten Of an intel
ligent appreciation of the cause which
they were serving, and, in some in
stances were found heaped in piles
wnere they had died rather than fail"
At New Market Heights. the Negro
soldiers under command of Gen. Ben
jamin F. Butler played such bravbery
and heroism that he referred to it
afterwards in Congress. He said: 81
went myself with the colored troops to
attack the enemy at New Market
Heights, which was the key to the
Cnemy's flank on the North side of
James River That work was a re-
doubt built on the top of a Hill Of
considerable elevation then running
down into marsh; in that marsh was
a brook: then rising again to a plain
which gently rolled away toward tbs
River; ON that plain, when the flash of
dawn was breaking l placed a column
of 900 colored troops, in close column
by divisions, right in front with guns
i~t,4 shift CT