Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-12-20
Thursday, December 20, 1906.
The President On the Colored Troops.

The President On the coIored Troops.
As an example of vigorous, forceful
and convincing English the message of
President Roosevelt, stating the rea-
sons for the disbanding Of the colored
troops will take high rank in a series
of state papers conspicuous for these
qualities.
From the facts clearly set forth By
the President it is evident that a very
general misapprehension Of the matter
has existed in the public mind. In
many quarters the attempt has been
made to have it appear that the SOL
diers involved in the wanton mutiny
and murder were few in numbers, and
not known to their comrades
Some have even tried to argue that the
troops were not involved in the shoot
ing at all. asserting their belief that
1t WAS the work Of local hoodlums de-
sirous of bringing odium upon the COL
ored soldiers.
President Roosevelt shows clearly
and conclusively how fallacious are
such assumptions. Not only We're the
men engaged in this barbarous outrage
seen and recognized as United States
soldiers in uniform by number Of diff
ferent citizens. but the scattered
shells, bullets and clips of the
government rifles which were every
where in evidence about the scene of
the outrage were conclusive evidence
that the shooting was the work Of SOL
diers
There can be no doubt but what the
men guilty of this heinous crime We're
well known to many if not most Of
their comrades from whom the most
searching investigation failed 10 elicit
tine first bit of testimony that would
lead to the detection of the murders.
There was obviously q concerted and
successful effort on the part of those
who did not participate in the shoot
inc, to shield and protect those who
did. Such an attitude made those
who sought to cOndone the offence
they should have repudiated a part to
it. the men guilty of this stand
thereby forfeited any claim to personal
immunity. Their duty in the matter
was plain. They should have promptly
and vigorously condemned this BASTARD
ly and cOwardly crime. They should
also have done, promptly and willingly,
all in their power to locate the guilty
parties and bring them to justice. This
they refused to do. by denying any
knowledge of the affair. thereby justi-
flying their prompt discharge from the
service they had disgraced.
Certain would-be critics of the
President have vociferously denied the
Presidents constitutional right to dis
charge summarily these troops. The
President effectually pricks this bub-
BILE by calling attention to the fact
that all of these colorcd soldiers were
in the army under contracts Of enlist
n,ent which by their terms and by
statute were terminable by the Presi-
dent in his capacity as Commander-in-
Chief of the Army.
1t has also been repeatedly asserted
by men and newspapers. assuming to
speak with authority that the action
Of the President in this matter was
unprecedented" Here again the
President pricks the conceit of ignOr-
ance by giving long list of presidents
for precisely the course pursued by
him.
Viewed from every standpoint the
statements SO clearly and forcibly set
forth by the President, and which are
fully backed up by the official docu-
ments with which he accompanies it,
make 1t very clear that he has both
COMPOUNDED his critics and justified his
action. This we apprehend will be
the very general verdict of the Ameri-
can people.
The spirit Of nationality. which still |