Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-14
DENOUNCED AS UNJUST
ORDER OF THE PRESIDENT DIS.
MISSING CoLoRED TROOPS

At the Second Baptist Church last even
ing Rev. DIR. w. Bishop Johnson delivered
an address, taking as his theme the recent
order of the President discharging from
the service three companies Of the 18th
United States Infantry. The meeting at
which the address was delivered was
opened with prayer by Rev d. Corroth-
ers, after which Rev. Dr.. g. L. Corrothers
was introduced and when he arose num-
Der Of students from the Howard Univer-
sity gave the college yell and the audience
applauded. DR.. Corrothers made a brief in-
troductory address.
At the opening Of his remarks. DR.. john
son read the order discharEing without
honor Companies B, C and D Of the 25th
United States Infantry, which formed the
battalion not long ago stationed at Browns
Vile. Tex. but which was transferred to
another post following disturbance there
His comment was: This Is the order that
put out of existence these brilliant COM
panies that had won fame on so many
fields"
Continuing, the speaker read the list OF
the soldiers Of the companies, VINO had been
awarded medals Of honor for gallant serv-
Ices in their country's cause.
Alleges Prejudice.
"There is as much prejudice In the army
and navy as there Is down in Mississippi
where Vardaman lives" he added, land it
Is strange that gentleman of southern ex-
traction had been selected as the COM
manding officer Of the colored soldiers"
Speaking Of the Brownsville trouble, he
said: There are times when the lawyer,
the physician and the professional man
ought not to divulge what he knows, and
here It is question whether these men.
even II they knew, should have told what
they knew, and especially in the southland,
where prejudice walks abroad unbridled"
The President he said, has taken
from these soldiers an inalienable right
which he had no right to take and he has
promulgated his order after the votes were
all in the ballot boxes"
: Dr.. johnson then paid tribute to the 18th
triotism. He called the soldiers of the 18th
Infantry the fighting blacks who were
peerless and unconquerable.' He said the
PRESIDENTS order was unprecedented, unfair
and un-American. =
st sought" he said, ito make the army
nest of traitors. 1t appealed to the baser
nature Of men and sought to fnculcate
type of morality that is not calculated to
develop the best discipline in army or navy.
THE 9Th Infantry men did what every
soldier expected them to do and what they
could only do and retain their self-respect..
The order struck down friend and foe alike
and was in principle the same thing as was
the Atlanta riot It sets bad example for
the worst element of the SOUTH
DR.. Johnson charged the President with
inconsistency, and he punished in the SOL
der what he condoned In the civilian.
The speaker thought he saw method in
mobilizing colored troops SO they should
spend SO much time In 1.-The enemies coun-
try and be put under the command Of
officers of southern extraction. He claimed
that there Is more prejudice in the army
against the negro than can be found in any
place outside.
The gallant record the negro soldier has
made" DR.. Johnson said, lis used to his
detriment. If he displays the valor Of the
soldier he Is punished.