Evening star., 1909-03-07
LAUDS TAFT
Urges Negroes to Support New
Administration.
HE is GIVEN LOVING CUP
Tells of His Triumph in Defeat for
Brownsville Soldiers Cause.
GOT PROMISED ELIMINATION
Warned Of Consequence Of Cham
pionship-Was Guided Always
by Honest Judgment.

AS a token of the esteem Of dwellers
in the District of Columbia of the negro
race for Joseph Benson Foraker. the re-
firing Ohio senator, because of what was
termed his "heroic. noble and self-sacri-
fcing work" in behalf of the discharged
soldiers of the 25th Infantry. a public
reception was held at the Metropolitan
A. NJ z. Church, NJ street near 10th
street. last night.
A silver loving cup was presented to the
Ohioan. The cup was purchased by SUBJ
scriptions by Washinston's colored popu-
lation.
The greeting to Senator Foraker, the
guest Of honor, was enthusiastic. The
auditorium of the church was packed.
Fully 800 belated arrivals were unable to
gain entrance because of police orders
that the doors be closed.
Cheers for Foraker.
Every mention OF Foraker's name was
greeted with rousing cheers which time
and again broke forth from the audience
The presentation address was delivered
on the part Of the subscribers to the cup
by Almond w. Scott, Washington law
yer.
Senator Foraker, responding, paid his
respects to the administration just end
ed. criticising what he termed an un-
just prosecution on the part of the ma
tional government of 1877 soldiers without
the right of being heard in their own
behalf.
Reviewing In detail the Brownsville
matter so far as it related to Congress
and the hearings before the military COM
mittee. Senator Foraker expressed satis-
faction over the success of his bill to per-
nit of the reinstatement of the dismissed
soldiers. He declared he was firmly con-
vinced the discharged men would be given
every opportunity to clear themselves of
the accusations under which they had
suffered for the past two years and more.
MY attention was first called to the
natter said Mr.. Foraker, by reading
in the daily press the executive order is
sued by President Roosevelt discharging
these men without the semblance of
trial, and upon the so-called charge of
a conspiracy Of silence 1t first astounded
me. It seemed to me to be almost an
impossibility. Soon. however. I was con-
vinced Of it's genuineness. and the full
realization of the possible consequences
and high-handedness of the act came to
Every feeling of justice and right in
me was aroused. Every soldierly in
stinct in me came to the front. I re-
solved then and there to take up the
cause and see that justice was finally
done them.
IT did it. say honestly and truth
fully. with no thought of what it might
mean to me politically or otherwise-my
interests were subservient to what I
termed my duty l proceeded to do what
l deemed was right and just.
Warned Against Consequences.
'It was at a high school commencement
that made an address upon the Browns
Vile subject, In which I expressed my
determination to fight for a hearing for
these men and at least afford them an
opportunity to give their side Of the case.
Then tho first warning came to me that
II pursued such a course would be
'eliminated'-that was the word used-po-
litically.
well. I have been. I have suffered
and been punished for my shortcomings.
and for performing what 1 deemed my
duty
"Now that it is all over can tell you.
my friends. that when l espoused the
nor care who it struck nor mhom 1t en-
barrassed-it has embarrassed some,
there's no doubt about that. I am out
of the Senate. The only regret that I
have in leaving 1t Is that l may not of
fiicially have more opportunities to do
what believe right and just
Every act in my life has been prompted
by my Judgment. II my Judgment tells
me thing Is right do 1t, and the con-
sequences are only with my Maker. If
my judgment is not deemed Of the best.
or fails to suit those people whom have
served in my state. they have the right
to select another man in my place. But
whether 1 shall spend my remaining days
in private life or shall hold Office again,
this judgment will always guide me in my
duty"
Mr.. Foraker referred at length to the
testimony of the Brownsville soldiers be-
fore the military committee. and referred
to their bearing and stories Of the trouble
"It was the plain. honest truth they
were telling these men," he declared.
Their every action could not help but
impress one with their honesty and sin
cerity. AS q result of that hearing and
seeing those men under the most adverse
conditions. am firmly convinced OF the
innocence OF every one Of them.
Proved Administration Wrong.
"And now coming to the testimony Of
those detectives hired by the government
and they were paid $4,000 out of the
United States Treasury for the work.
denounce 1t as absolutely false. not to
use the stronger and uglier word. I have