The Colorado statesman., 1912-05-25

/
We have read with great deal of
interest the timely article in The State
of our good negro friend, the Rev
Richard Carroll, suggesting monu-
ment to the faithful slaves who pro-
tected the properties of their masters
| far away in the war between the sec
tions, guarding the homes, the lives
and the safety of the masters wives
| their daughters and their little help
less children Too much praise can
| not be given the faithfulness of these
| humble people to recognized duty. But
while we approve of the worthy spirit
which prompted Carol Ito direct the
attention of our people to the appar-
emily neglected privilege or duty of
proper acknowledgment of the great
debt we as a southern people owe the
one-time guardians of our homes, still
we can not agree with his suggestion
that the erection of a cold marble or
granite monument the most fitting are
the most humane method of express
ing our lasting obligations.
Our suggestion as a substitute is
that a refuge or home be speedily pro
vided for the INDECENT, the poor, old,
worn-out slaves, and that it be located
centrally, in or'near the city of Colum-
| bia. supported by endowment created
| by grateful warriors, their wives,
daughters and the sons of veterans
| That these worthy old subjects, both
male and female, uncle" and 'auntie,"
be sought out throughout the confines
of our borders and that they be i'm
| +harnSa1Vee tn ha pd-
| ministered to in their old age and in
firmities. We suggest that such an in
stitution be governed by board of di-
rectors or trustees competent and in
/ sympathy with the plan, and that
worthy matron and superintendent be
elected to have charge of the home,
and that they be properly assisted by
trained nurses and other help not pro
vided by the beneficiaries of the home.
What more fitting memorial could we
sons and daughters erect to the mem
ory of our distinguished ancestors
than by bestowing blessings upon our
brother in piack?" | consider it one
of the greatest privileges of my lift
to contribute 500 as a nucleus for
500, 0vJ hospital or home for the aged,
the decrepit. the infirm. the indigent
who gave their youth freely in our
service.
SOME REASONS.
Let me enumerate a few reasons
why a memorial home should be
founded for the slaves of our ances-
tors Are there any more truthful
stories related by the historian or the
| ~, II "a, ,ipic han "a
ofttimes heroism of faithfuIness dis
played and devotion to his master by
his slave valet, who bravely. or from
fear and sense Of duty, worked within
grange of bullets, watching his masters
movements, often carrying him wound
ed from the battlefield. administering
to his needs until the arrival of the
surgeon and then tenderly nursing
| him back to convalescence? Few races
have ever been placed in the position
of having to produce substance of war
fare, protection for the homes, body
guards for their masters. while their
| owners were on the battlefield, in ef-
| feet fighting for their continued bon
| dage. Would many people of other
| bloods have stood his crowning test
of faithfuIness? The history of the
southerner, the s1ave-owuer, though
fighting for his rights of secession,
nevertheless, meant continued bon
dage. continued servitude, continued
legal subordination. Their faithful
ness, though counter to their apparent
interests, will ever remain to true
southerners one of the bright recollec-
tions of that period of awful struggle.
All honor then to Uncle Jerry" Aunt
Mandy" Mum Nana," Uncle Alex"
Aunt Hannah" Mum Martha Mum
Julia and thousands of Others black
tits true, but no disgrace; thank God
for their humble and devoted service.
faithful and constant. will ever abide
in the hearts of the best southern peo-
pie. Yet our gratitude has until yet
not assumed form, although we have
had nearly half a century to wake up
to our obligations and responsibilities.
A few more years and the opportunity
will be forever buried. What is to be
done must be done quickly. The angel
voices are tenderly and softly calling
"Old Black Joe to Join the realm
above" Will you, comrade, sons and
daughters OF the oravest people on
earth, help to make Uncle Joe's" last
days more comfortable; will you see
that he does not want for bread or
suffer for clothing. or endure pain for
the lack of medical attention?
/ pause to thank God for his messen-
ger. the Rev Richard Carroll. a
worthy son of his race, who has in
spired the expression of gratitude in
our hearts for his neglected ancestors,
our former slaves The contemplation
of the good relief that may yet be
done is quickening to the point OF ac-
ton.
NEEDS OF OLD NEGROES.
We read in the secular and religious