Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-01-12
PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT VINDIC-
TIVE.

Official orders we're issued Satur-
day. January 5th, 1907 sending ev-
cry colored soldier I'm the American
army to the Philippines. In view
of the discussion which mas been
taking place in tAe United states
Senate concerning the dismissed bat
TALON of the Twenty-nfth Infantry
this will be rightly construed as a
mother method OF getting back not
only at the colored soldiers but at
their friends i'm this country as Well
The War Department officials glibly
explain that IL is their turn TO go.
This may do very well on paper. but
when the color line is drawn to the
extent of sending them an there at
the same time the conclusion will be
drawn that this is an unusual exhi-
bition of race prejudice. even for the
Negro-haters in this branch OF the
service.
1t is admitted that the service is
rigorous and that the colored sol
diers have discharged their duties
faithfully wherever assigned. The
indications are that this AFFAIR will
be the subject of discussion for ma
ny months TO come and that 10 will
constitute an important factor I'm fu-
ture political campaigns. President
Roosevelt has not only punished in
nocent men i'm the companies dismiss
ed from the service. but every col
ored soldier i'm the United States
Army is made TO feel the effect OF
this unjust decision
There is some malign influence op
Grating upon this remarkable man
ia the White House. It seems TO
have him ia it's power as absolutely
as did the evil spirit exercise it,
self on the swine in the Scriptures
and drown them in the sea. But it
is not the first time that colored peo-
pie have been similarly treated. The
man. politician or statesman, who
condemns the Negro with the idea of
popularizing himself with any sec
tion OF this country will be woefuUy
disappointed in the result of his per-
formances.
When President Roosevelt admit
ted that there were innocent men i'm
Companies b. C.. and d. 25th Infan-
try. men who neither committed the
alleged onenso nor knew who com
mittod f.. ne closed the case so far
as the attempt of a Justification of
his acts is concerned and ne shocked
the moral sonsibuities of the nation
at large.
His efforts 90 squelch the plans
made to investigate the affair by the
Senate Committee ON military af-
fairs and his sending of Assistant
Attorney General Milton ID. Purdy to
Brownsville Texas TO make a "star
chamber" Investigation and exami-
nation OF Witnesses have lowered
him i'm the estimation of fair-minded
people everywhere.
If this can DE construed in any
sense as being "a square deal" it
presents an anomalous condition I'm a
free country President Roosevelt
has gone even further than this i'm
declaring that ne would veto any
measure passed by Congress for the
relief of these soldiers and that if
the measures We're passed over his
veto. ne would risk impeachment
proceedings by refusing go comply
with the command of the represeu-
atives of the people. BY mis- action
he has given the lawlcss elements of
the country renewed impetus in their .
movements and he has caused con-
servative statesmen 20 ask. whittier
are We drifting and wonder il the
time has come when the Chief EX-
ecutive Of tae Nation is above the
law
One thing SIS evident to our minds
and that is that the distinguished
occupant of the White House has
reached the zenith of his glory. His
sun has set and ne is going down.
The settling of this affair either way
will mark the eclipse of this great
mans ambition and from this time
viii date the blasting of all of his
hopes Other great men have taken
the wrong side Of the Negro ques-
tion and have gone down and Theo-
dore Roosevelt will prove no excep-
tion 90 the rule. He mad an oppor-
tunity to do right and he turned n
way. Selah.