Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1907-01-13
TILLNAN ON NEGRO TROOPS
South Carolina Senator Takes Opportunity
TO Discuss Race Question.
PRESIDENT BLAMED FOR INCIDENT
Speaker Declares that Recent Re-
marks OF chief Executive Tend
90 Produce Hope of
social EquaIity.

WASHINGTON, Jan. t2-The senate
listened to a debate on the race question
today. in which Senator Tillman was the
principal participant and Senator Patterson
of Colorado. his opponent. The brought
into striking contrast the ideas of the
south and north.
President Roosevelt's action in the
brownsville matter was the subject OF
discussion. Mr. Tnman held that nothing
was involved I'm It except the race question,
and that the administration was responsible
for the grownf acute condition Of the race
question In the south The president, he
maintained, had encouraged the negro to
assert his equality and then had wrought
vengeance on a whole battalion for follow
ing that encouragement. He condemned
the presidents action in both respects
Mr.. Patterson defended the presidents
right to dismiss the troops, hut believed
there might be some groung to question
its policy He condemned in strong terms
what he regarded as the radical position Of
Mr. Tillman and predicted that the extinc-
ton Of the democratic party In the north
would follow continuation of such tactics.
The debate occupied four hours and was
listened to with great interest by throngs
which filled the galleries, by many mem
bers Of the house or representatives who
lined the senate chamber, and by many
senators.
on several occasions the galleries had to
be warned against applause by the vice
president, who finally threatened TO clear
them. No action was taken on the resolu
ton for an investigation of the Browns
vile affair, but Mr.. Foraker gave notice
that on Monday he win endeavor to have
IT disposed Of. a"tf
81
Mr. Tillman prefaced his discussion of
the question with the characterization that
it resembled a case I'm court, saying: -
Certain enlisted men of the Twenty-fifth
regiment were under indictment The pres
ident Of the United States is the prosecutor
as well as the executioner. The array OF
counsel for the defense and prosecution Is
not yet complete So far as their names
have appeared on the record there is an ele-
ment Of incongruity and OF the ridiculous.
For instance, as attorneys aiding the prose-
chiffon we have the distinguished senotor
from Texas (Mr Culberson). democrat;
the distinguished senator from MassaChu-
setts (Mr, LODGE, a republican; the dis
ieD, a democrat.
And for the defense If IT shall be so con-
sidered, when get through, / win be put
in the record as aiding the distinguished
senator from Omaha (Mr Foraker). OF
course. being nothing more than cornfield
lawyer my contribution to the legal discus
sion OF the question will be vary limited
probably comparatively worthless.
My colleague and brother attorney (Mr
Foraker) himself realizes that so far as
legal assistance win go he will get little or
no aid from me, and thus far do not think
But the ridiculousness OF the. situation is
again apparent when one considers that the
senator from the north, whose radical and
aggressive utterances and probably his ac-
tons In the past once acquired for him the
name of Fire Alarm" finds himself aligned
man, himselO who is usually supposed to
nave brolled negro for breakfast;
Snsh ss anvil who h Is known to Justify ypchn
in the belief that white men are made Of
entitled to participate In government And
80 this alliance is an odd one.
Presidents order Quoted.
Declaring that President Roosevelt wa
more responsible than any other man,
Mr. Tillman read from order No. % issued
by the War department February s, 1905
and singned by the president, as follows:
The uniform of the enlisted man is a
badge of honor. II entities to peculiar
consideration; 1t shows that in the great
majority of cases he has learned those
habits of self-command, of self-restralnt,
OF obedience and OF fearlessness in the
face or danger which put him above most
similar privileges. To strive to discriminate
against him In any way is literally In
tamy Tor IL Is in reality one OF the most
serious offenses which can be committed
against the stability and greatness OF GU.
nation.
This is the milk in the cocoanut," ejacu-
lated Mr. Tillman who said It was this
sort Of stun" that put into the heads of
the negro soldier that he was entitled to
demand social equality.
At this point Mr., Tillman was interrupted
for the first time, Senator Nelson asking:
would you deny those privileges to white
soldiers?"
Il will go as far any man In giving
white men, either soldiers or citizens, their
rights" answered Mr.. T1llman.
why should not the colored soldier, II
he conducts himself as a white soldier,
have the same consideration persisted
Mr.. Nelson.
For the simple reason that. God AL
mighty. made him colored, He did not
make him white retorted Mr.. Tnlman,
who added that caste feeling was uni
egersal; that It pulsated even in the bosom
'f the senator from Minnesota (Air. Nelson.
Law Points Raised.
Mr.. Tillman held that It was contrary
10 the fundamental principles OF liberty OF