The Colorado statesman. [volume] (Denver, Colo.) 1895-1961, 1905-09-09
DEFENDERS OF THEIR
COUNTRY.

This is the title justly won and
ably defended by the war veterans
in the annual parade last Wednes-
day. How grandly they marched
How the peopl e applauded! How
proud the veterans were OF them
selves. How proud the people were
of them. The public seems to know
no color line. The veterans drew
none. but colored veterans in
white posts marched side by side,
and colored veterans marching
alone received as much cheer and
praise as any others. When the
Nation wants preservers it asks
not about the color. When it wants
defenders it asks not about the na-
tionalty, and when the country
comes to honor its preservers and
defenders it does so irrespectively
of what complexion they may hap
pen to have, or whether they came
from Massachusetts or Mississippi,
or from the East or West. The
sights of these old soldiers, white
and black, gray haired and cripple,
from North and South, caused
tears to moisten eyes unused to
weeping, and sent cheers to the lips
of men and women that are seldom
moved to such outward demonstra-
ton. A country which has sur
vived the assault of such an enemy
as this nation endured from '61-'6
while having within its borders
everything else that makes for its
prosperity, must have this one
thing above all others, in order to
endure, and that is an equal re-
spect for it's defenders, whether
white or black, and that is what the
people of Colorado have, and which
it showed CALAMITY in their praise
in the line of march last Wednes-
day. What was true of the parade
was also true of the camp fires and
the receptions. In these social af-
fairs no difference was shown. All
received a hearty welcome. All re-
ceived equal attention. All re-
ceived unstinted praise. Whether
the soldier served in the ranks or
as an officer, whether on land or
water, whether in the infantry or
cavalry, whether in the hospital or
artillery, it made no difference,
just so he served his country and
did his duty, His country was
prepared to do him honor; the
most mental as well as the more
honorable alike are remembered.
This is as it should be, and leaves
its lesson to us. Be faithful to
your country's welfare and when
others attempt to traduce its honor
and assault its flag or reputation,
go to its defense, even at the cost
of life. Looking into the faces OF
these battle-scarred veterans as
they went tramping by under the
sound of fife and drum, one might
read the lesson of faithful service
in the time of dire distress, and
then as he turned from the march
ing columns and looked into the
eyes of countless spectators and
heard cheer upon cheer arousing
from the threats of the assembled
thousands as he saw men, women
and children waving their flags
and handkerchiefs in one glad ac-
claim of applause he might surely
say with Abraham Lincoln, ''This
government is of the people, for the
people and by the people, and shall
not and must not perish. - Since
courage knows no color and ,yalor
no people, let us as a race continue
to prove ourselves loyal and true to
the red, white and blue, and do our
full duty as God gives us to know
and understand what that duty is
that we may continue to live and
grow in the hearts of our country
men.