The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-01-13
EleCtrifies Senate in Dis
cussing Roosevelt Dis
missal OF Negro Troops
BRANDS EQUALITY
AS PRESUMPTION
Declares the President, With
His Northern Doctrines, Is
Making the Negro Ques-
ton More Formid-
able Every
Day.

WASHINGTON, January i2.-The Sem
ntc listened TO Il debate on the race ques-
ton to-day, in which Senator Tiilman was
tho principal participant and Senator
Patterson, OF Colorado his opponent,
which brought into striking contrast the
ideas of the South and North on this
question.
President Roosevelta action in the
brownsville matter was the subject Of
discussion. Mr. Tillman held that moth
ing was involved In It except the race
question, and that tie present admins
tration was responsible growing acute
condition Of the race situation In the
South.
The President he maintained had en-
ccnraged the negro TO Assert his equal
ity. and then hid wrought vengeance on
Il whole battalion for following that
encouragement. He condemned the PrcB-
ideni's action In both respects.
Mr.. Patterson defended the Presidents
right to dlsreiss the troops, but believed
there might be some ground to question
{, its policy. He condemned in strong terms
what he regarded as the radical position
OF Mr.. Till,nan, and predicted that the
extinction OF the Democratic party In the
North would follow continuance OF
such tactics.
The debate occupied four hours, and
was listened 10 with great interest by
the crowd which filled the galleries.
by many members of the House OF Rep
rescntatiyes, who lined the Senate cham
her. and by many Senator's. on several
occasions the galleries had to be warned
ugalnst applause by the Vice President
who finally threatened to cles- them II
the offense WAS repeated.
No action was taken on the resolution
for an investigation OF the Brownsville
.iffray. but Mr.. Foraker gave notice that
ON Monday he ahouid eudeayor to have II
disposed of.
Mr.. Tillrnan Modest.
Mr.. Tiilrnan prefaned his discussion OF
the Brownsvllla matter with the char
acter,zation that ii resembed a case in
court. Certain enlisted men of the
Twcnty-fifth egirnent were under indict-
,uent.' he said. Tine President of ths
United States is the prosecutor. as we'll
as the executiouey. The array of counsel
Tor tho defense and prosecution Is not
yet complete. So far their names have
appeared on the record there is an ele-
ment of incongrulty and Of the ridiculous
For Instance. as attorneys aiding the pro-
secution We have tire distinguished Sena-
tor from Massachusetts GsTr. LODGE, a
Republican; tAc distinguished Senator
from Virginia (aIr. DanieD, a Demo-
crat
And for the defense, II It Shall be 80
considered, when get through I will be
In the House record as aiding the dis
Euished Senator from Ohio (Mr. Foraker).
or course being nothing more than
cornfeld lawyer. my contribution to the
legal discussion of tho question will be
VERY limited, probably comparatively
worthless.
My colleague and brother attorney
CMr Foraker) himself realizes that so
far as legal assistance will go. he will
get little or no aid from me- and thus
far l do not think ne needs any.
But the Righteousness OF the situation
Is again apparent when one considers
that the Senator from the North. who, by
reason of his radical and aggressive ut
tarances and probably actions In the past,
once acquired tho name of fire ALARM
nnds himself aligned with that Senator
from the South CMr. Tillman himselO.
who is usually supposed to have a broiled
negro for breakfast Qaughter): who Is
known to Justify lynching for rape, and
whose attitude. If not that OF hatred to
the negro, is n feeling akin to it, In the
belief that white men are made OF better
clay, and that white men alone are entl-
tied to participate in government. And
so this alliance Is an odd one"
Roosevelt Responsible.
Declaring that President Roosevelt was
more responsible ethan any other man."
Elr. 1sillman read from Order No. 20.
Issued by tho War Department. Feb
riary s, 1906, and signed by the Presi-
dent, as follows:
The uniform of the enlisted man Is
n badge of honor. 1t entities him to
peculiar consideration--it shows that In
the great majority OF cases he has
learned those habits of self-oommand OF
self-restraint, OF obedience and of fear
lcssness in the face of danger which put
him above most or his fellows who have
not possessed similar privileges To
strive to discriminate against him in
any way Ia literally an infany, for 1t
Is in reality one Of the most serious
offenses which can be committed aga inst
the stability and greatness of our nation"
That is the milk In the cocoannt,"
calculated Mr., Tillman, who said It was
this sort Of stuff that put into the
heads of the negro soldier that he was
entitled to demand social equality
AT this point Mr.. Tilman was inter-
rupted for the first time, Senator Nelson
asked; Would YOU deny those privileges
10 white soldiers?
II will go as far as any man in giving
white men either soldiers or citizens
their rights" answered Mr.. Tillman
"W1hy should not the colored soldier, II
he conducts himself as n white soldier.
have the same considerations" persisted
Mr., Nelson.
For the simple reason that God AL
mighty made him colored. He did not
make him whte,' retorted Mr.. Tillman,
who added that caste feeling; Was ,nlver-
4 sal that 1t pulsatetl even in the bosom
OF the Senator from Minnesota (Mr.
Nelson).
Mr.. Tillman characterized the Presl-
tIenRs action. in the Brownsvllle matter
las nothing more nor less than lynch
sing." He challenged any one to produce
In the Army Regulations or Articles ,oi
lGnnunued on Fifth PaSe,) @