Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1906-12-19
ABOUT
RIOTOUS
NEGROES
President Explains TO Con-
gresS Why I hey Are
Discharged

or war, ana OF General NettletOn,
documents and other reports, and
memoranda as to Drecedents for the
summary discharge or mastering out
of regiments or companies, some or
all of which have been guilty of mis-
conduct. ! ordered the discharge OF
these companies after full considera-
tion, finding it my constitutional duty
as commander in chief of the army.
append reports of Major Blockson.
Lieutenant Colonel Lowering and
General Darlington. In them appear
the feeling between the citizens OF
Brownsville and the garrison. In the
differences both sides are to blame,
but this is wholly unimportant, as
nothing that occurred offered in any
way or shape an excuse or justifica-
tion for the atrocious conduct OF the
troops when in lawless. murderous
spirit, under cover of night, they
made attacks upon American citizens.
Nine to twenty colored soldiers took
part in the attack. leaped over walls
and hurried through the town, firing
at whomsoever they saw. They shot
into houses where they saw a light,
knowing the result would be murder.
They must have known that I'm the
houses were many women and chill
dren. Ten shots struck one house
where were two women and flve chill
dren. and their escape is remarkable.
A lieutenant of police rode toward
the firing and saw fifteen colored SOL
dlers. who killed his horse and shot
the officer In the right arm. which
later was amputated. They shot In
TO n saloon and killed the bartender
While no individual raiders were re-
cognlzed, many witnesses of all
classes agree that the negro soldiers
were the criminals. Shattered bull
lets. shells and clips from govern
ment rifles were found on the ground,
Corroborative OF this is the fact
that houses were riddled, but no bull
let hole appears I'm any structure of
the fort. thus dlsprovlng the conten-
ton that citizens started the firing.
The citizens were taken. wholly un-
awares. No private soldiers could
have secured a rife unless some nom
commissioned officer unlocked the
gun-rack for him. and all evidence
proves others than the participants In
the raid. and perhaps all OF the COM
mand, were I'm conspiracy with the
raiders. Comrades of the murderers
by their own actions rendered II nee
essary either to leave all the men,
including the murdorers, In the army
or turn them all out. Under such
there Is no alternative,
for the usefulness of the army would
be at an end II we permit such out
RACES To be committed with impunity
In short, the evidence proves conclu-
sively that a number of soldiers en-
gagged In n deliberate and concen-
trated attack. cold-blooded and cow
ardly, the purpose being TO terrorize
the community and kin or iniure
men. women and children IN their
homes and beds or on the streets. at
an hour OF the night when concerted
and effective resistance or defense
was out of the question and when
detection by Identification of crimi-
nails In United States uniform would
be well night impossible.
A blaeker deed never stained the
annals OF the army, II is supplements
cd by another only less black. In the
shape of a successful conspiracy OF
silence for the purpose of shielding
those taking part In the original con-
spiracy OF murder. They were sol
iiers. not school boys on a frolio,
iull grown men In the uniform of the
United States army, sworn to uphold
The laws OF the United States and
under every obligation of earth not
merely 70 refrain from criminality.
lut with sturdiest rigor 20 hunt down |
and the crime they COM
nitted or eonnived az was murder
The people call this discharge pun
shment. deny this. because as pun
shment Il is utterly inadequate.
There have been efforts to arouse
for men OF long service,
These are the men who should be
punished most severely. Upon their
ong service men should rest the
lonor of the service. should do all
n their power to reveal the oriml-
lals. ohicers or enlisted men. white
n black. under similar clrcum-
tanees. should be treated exactly
he same.
The preeedents are many. During