The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-11-29
PRESIDENT RIGHT
IN GUSHING BLACKS
General A. B. Nettleton Answers
Critics of Nations Chief
Executive.

BroWnsv1lle, Tex, Nov. 29.-General
a: B. Nettleton, formerly. prominent in
Minneapolis, has come nobly to the aid
Of the president in his trying position
colored soldiers recently stationed
here. In an impartial statement of
facts, based upon a careful investiga-
ton, General Nettleton Endorses the
action of the president, and discredits
the critics who have Indignantly ques-
toned the Judgment Of Mr.. Roosevelt.
General, Nettleton in a letter to the
secretary Of war, says the following:
cas- a citizen Of Illinois, as an anti
slavery. advocate when that phrase had
a meaning and as veteran who served
In the union army thruout the civil war,
I shall at least not be suspected of pref
udice against men of color.
"Without rehearsing details, I wish
prejudiced investigation, made after
local excitement had subsidized, confirms
in every particular. the conclusions
reached by the two army officers sent
here by the war department., on the
strength of which the president took
his action, as well as the clear and tenn
perate statement published Immediately
after the tragedy by Chairman Kelly
tee.T
After summarizing the facts, hith'
erto published, as to the killing Of one
citizen, the manning Of chief of pc.
lice, the firing Of volleys into and thru
hotels, saloons and many private resi-
dences and the terrorizing Of the entire
town, the letter continues:
Troops Well Treated.
cit is we'll attested by evidence that
the colored troops were treated here
with the same consideration with which
colored soldiers Of like bearing are
treated in most garrison towns Of the
northern states. That, on the other
hand, the street conduct Of some of
lessly insolent toward the white men
and women; that there was no provoca-
ton for the murderous raid by the SOL
diers, unless it can be called a provoca-
tion that the drinkers among them were
provided with separate bars in certain
saloons, and that on two occasions indi-
vidual insolence was resented by lndl-
vidual citizens, both Of whom happened
to have been republican federal officials
Defense Is Grotesque.
|, "There was no riot and no street row
as many newspapers persist IN calling
Gue GOCCuII0uCc. ~ w eHo gill ny - AAA"oe
cowardly conspiracy to terrify, wound
and kilt unoffending men, women and
children at the hour of midnight, when
defense or resistance was impossible, and
was not even attempted. Evidently
not an opposing shot was fred.'.
General Nettleton letter sharply
raised the question as to what the white
officers Of the garrison were doing on
the night Of the raid, and closes thus:
HIn view Of the facts as / find them
here the persistent attempt on the part
Of some to make martyrs Of any portion
Of the discharged men would be appall-
ing, if it were not grotesque. The con;
members Of the battalion prevents the
government from Furnishing the previ;
Gus conspiracy Of violence and murder
the separation of all alike from the
service which they have disgraced be-
comes Inevitable. ;, -
ssI believe no course other than the
one which the president has pursued was
or is open to him, unless all semblance
of decent discipline in our army is to
be ended, and unless every American
community, north and south alike. is to
be given cause to dread the proximity
of the garrison as it would that Of an
encampment Of armed and uniformed
assailants. ,| "a. !,
1T sympathize deeply with the. col
ored people in their upward struggle in
America, but I believe the most dam
aging service that can be rendered them
az a race in their period OF test and
transition is that of championlng or
excusing the criminal element IN their
ranks.'