Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-20
COUNSEL MODERATION
CoLoRED MINISTER'S TO APPEAL
TO PRESIDENT.
Ask That Order Dismissing 25th In
fantry Companies Be Rescinded
Resolutions Adopted.

THE discharge without honor OF Com
panies B, C and D of the 18th United
States Infantry" was the special topic
which had been set aside for discussion at
yesterdays joint meeting of the Washing
ton Colored Ministers Union and the
Washington M. E Association. The ses-
sion was held at the Metropolitan A. M. E.
Church on M street. and Rev. F. ]. Grimke
called to order and presided.
After prayer by Rev. ]. Strange of Vir-
ginis Or. A. C. Garner read 6. communica-
ton from the War Department, replying to
letter from the committee on resolutions.
DR.. S. L. Carrothers described the Presi-
dents order dismissing the colored in
fantrymen as drastic and sweeping." He
argued that while in his opinion the SOL
diers had not been given square deal.
he thought the ministers should walt until
the return of the President to the United
States and then act by calling upon him
and requesting him to rescind the order of
dismissal. He said the press of the coun-
try, with but few exceptions, was opposed
to the order dismissing the soldiers without
trial.
Mrs. NJ. w. Hayson made a plea for
moderation in the discussion and action to
be taken, and advocated the raising of a
charged men, adding that the 100000
colored people in the United States could
pay them sum annually equal to that
which they had received from the govern
ment.
Rev. ]. NJ. Hall said he did not favor un-
due haste. But something should be done
to relieve the innocent men, not the guilty
ones. Rev. w. H. Davenport held that the
action Of the President deserved criticism
and condemnation. Rev. o. j. w. Scott
urged moderation, and also expressed the
hope that the assembled body of ministers
would not denounce the President in any
strong resolutions" but should wait until
his return to this city and then urge him
to reconsider his action.
Rev. w. II. Coston. a former army chap
lain addressed the meeting al length, coun-
selling calm consideration Of the whole
matter" He expressed the belief that the
discharged men will be reinstated.
Rev. DR.. Brooks of New York, in crit
icising the action Of the President advo-
Gated taking the matter before Congress
and into the courts should the President
decline to reconsider his action. After fur
Their discussion the following statement, as
representing the views of the joint meeting
was unanimously adopted:
I'VE, the representatives of the United
Ministers Meetings, solemnly declare our
deep sense of grief at the recent discharge
without honor of Companies B, C and d of
the 25th u. s. Infantry.
I'VE believe the action ill-advised, extra
legal, unjust and pre5udicial to the interests
of the law-abiding of our race. We are of
opinion that the cation of General CARING
ton and President Roosevelt was more dras-
tie than necessary. We disclaim any in
tention to sympathize with the guilty, and
yehemently oppose the punishment of the
innocent. Ignoring the shrewd politics and
social partiality apparent In the order. we
base our respectful; protest on the injustice
of punishment upon the innocent alone We
therefore think that the said order ought to
be reconsidered and rescinded.'
reached
a committee to wait upon the President