The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1913-09-27
syN. BARNETT DoDsoN.

SNNaNtSS ~ W. SS'SaNN ~N--@
By n. BARNETT DoDsoN.
Chicago.-The high honor Of being
selected to represent the colored cih-
zens Of the country at the recent eele-
bration OF the centennial Of the battle
OF Lake Erie was conferred upon the
Rev. A. J. Carey, Phi D.. pastor Of the
institutional A. NJ. E church Of this
city. Only two names were presented
to the committee on speakers for this
part Of the program, that OF DR.. Book
er T. Washington and the Rev. A J.
Carey, the latter being chosen
Il Is possible that It Is not generally
known that 100 OF the 40 seamen who
fought with Perry were colored men
DR.. Carey brings out this fact and also
calls attention to what Is generally
known-that colored men have fought
with bravery and herOism in all the
wars for the protection and preserVa-
ton Of our country and have won the
right to a square deal. He makes a
strong appeal to the American people
to turn the most effective forces or
American life upon injustice and IN
righteousness.
DR.. Carey's speech Is a message to
the American people from the great
body OF intelligent Afro-American citi-
Eens, who are not satisfied with pres
emit conditions. He pleads for a fair
chance for the race and says, I'VE ask
nothing more; will be satisfied with
nothing less" DIR. Carey in part said:
When on that September afternoon
the unconquered Perry, fresh from the
deck OF the battered Lawrence, drove
his pennant to the Niagara's masthead,
cut his way through the lines OF the
British squadron. dismantled the De
troit, shattered the Queen Charlotte
and forced to unconditional surrender
the entire British feet he lifted above
the clouds to shine in immortal glory
not only his own forever honored
name, but the names also OF the Law
renee and the 40 dauntless seamen
who could die, but never could give up
a ship.
We gather here on this historic spot
100 years after the battles over and
the victory won to celebrate, to COM
memorate, to rejoice, not so much In
the victory Of arms as in the trtumphs
OF peace and to learn. II we may, some
lessons that will tend toward making
ours indeed a universal peace and our
land in fact, as in name. the land OF
justice and Of freedom
hnUA
sung and artists have painted In glow
ing colors the stories OF Perry and FL
Hot, of Yarnal and Brooks, Of Dobbins
and DR.. Parsons. And yet somehow
there Is no character In all that thrill
ing drama that has for me a greater
fascination than that OF Alexander,
Perry's little brother. delight to read
Of his love and devotion, his loyalty
and heroIsm; how he was with Perry
at the start from Hartford. amid the
rfgors from Hartford to Albany, from
Albany to the lakes
he was at his side when shot and
shell tore away rigging, masts and
bulwarks, resulting in a carnage I'M
paraIleIed in naval warfare; with him
as he passed over the port gangway
with his lighting dag under his arm;
with him in the little boat while round
shot and grape churned the water on
every side; with him when lightly he
stepped on the Niagara's deck; with
him when the intrepid but Ill fated
Barclay pulled down the British fight
ing Tag and displayed the flag Of truce;
with him when he penned the match
less message. I'VE have met the enemy
and they are ours"
And do you ask me why the story Of
Alexander. the story Of the 100 colored
seamen and the ''lIttle brothers" 10y
atty, herolsm and devotion possesses
I 90 great a charm to me? Perhaps this
Is why: The loyalty. devotion and love
for bis country Of the little brother In
black" have never righteOusly been
questioned Like Alexander, he has
been with you. his bigger brother, from
the beginning until now; with you al
Boston and at Bunker bill, where
| Crispus Attacks, Peter Salem ana
dozen sable hued shed frst blood for
American independence
And who can forget the sixties, thl
horrible years Of the civil war, when
brother fought against brother, father
against son and our glorious nation
was rent with internecine Stifei
How dark were those daysl How i'm
periIed was the Unionl Yet Wher
LincoIn's call came forth from Wash
Ington-a call for volunteers, q call foE
men who would bare their breasts tr
Shot and shell for the reunittng OF
severed nation-the little brother an
Swered. We're coming. Father Abra
ham, 100000 strong"
Thirteen lustrouS stars Were falling
from the folds Of Old Glory, falling
into the dust Of secession and rebel
Hon. But beneath these falling stan
nearly 10000 eolOred soldiers marcn
"a side By side with their Disgel
brother" caught those falling star
On the points Of bristiing bayoneo
uluned them back within the folds o
The star spangIed banner, sealed then
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