The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1908-04-30

I'm so far as we are to be governed
by the fact that they were soldiers and
may be soldiers again. we should re-
member as Secretary Taft said of the
white soldiers who shot up the town
of Athens, Ohio, that they are, in a
sense, the wards of the government,
and for that reason entitled, under
such circumstances, to the protection
of the government in all their legal
rights. And if we are to be further
reminded, as we have been. that the
president is the commander-in-chlet OF
the army, 1t is a sufficient answer
that, while that is true, yet also 1t IS
true that he does not create the army.
It is not for him to say who shall en-
list or re-enlist. All that belongs to
congress.
In short, there is no excuse what
ever for such bill. To pass it would
be but pretending to grant relief, for
manifestly, unless there has been a
decided change of mind, practically
none would follow.
Adds Insult to Injury.
"Our action would but add insult to
injury. 1t would be without prece-
dent. for it may be safely asserted
that never before in the history of
civilization has a legislative body
of crime to prove tleir innocence be-
for a hostile judge who has already
adjudged them guilty; and never be-
fore has there been a suggestion that
any man worthy to sit in judgement
upon the rights of his countrymen
would accept such a duty if assigned
him, If conscious of having the slight
est prejudice against the accused.
by what right does the senator
from Missouri assume that the presi-
dent is capable of such manifest I'm
propriety?
The vilest horse thief, the most
dangerous burglar. or the blOOdiest
murderer would not be required either
to prove his innocence or to submit
to a trial before a Judge who had in
even the most casual way expressed
the opinion that the defendant was
guilty.
Such a performance would be just
ly denounced as denial of one of the
most sacred rights OF C tizenship and
a lasting disgrace to the judge who
perpetrated it.
"Who are these men that it should
be even suggested that they should be
treated worse than common Grim
inals?
"Tney are at once both citizens
and soldiers OF the republic. ASIDE
from these charges. which they deny.
their behavior, 10th in the army and
out of it, has justly excited the high
est commendation. Their record is
without spot or blemish.
"They are typical representatives
of a race that has ever been loyal to
America and American institutions; a
race that has never raised a hostile
hand against our c0untry'S flag; a
race that has contributed to the ma
tion's tens of thousands OF brave de-
tenders, not one of whom has ever
turned traitor or faltered in his fidel-
ity.
I'm every war in which we have
permitted them to participate they
have distinguished themselves for
efficiency and valOr. They have shed
their blood and laid down their lives
in the fierce shock of battle, side by
side with their white comrades.
"They are the direct and worthy
successors of the brave men who so
heroically died at Petersburg, at Wag'
ner, and on scores of bloody fields
that this nation might live.
Faithfully, uncomplainingly, with
pride and devotion, they have per.
formed all their duties and kept all
their obligations.
"They ask no favors because they
are negroes, but only for Justice be
cause they are men" applause In
the galleries)