The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1913-02-11

! as to the troops to be selected In each
State as it's representation, that being
matter entirely within the control of
the State authorities, but in a report
from the adjutant 9ere"Il, Listricct Of
Columbia militia, dated February J.,
/ 1913, it is stated that the First Sep
arate Battalion (colored)-225," will
participate.
very respectfully,
(Signed) "a. L. Mills,
Brig. Gen., General Staff, U. S. A,
Marshal, Second Division, Inaugural
Parade"
From this letter of Brig. Gen. Mills,
it will be seen that negro troops will
not only take part in the inaugural
parade, but that they will be given the
position of honor, at the head of the
column You will note the words of
the letter: First, National Guard of
the District of Columbia Militia" in
connection with the last sentence of
the letter, "in report from the Ad-
jutant General, District of Columbia
militia, dated February 1, 1913, it's
stated that the First Separate Batta-
lion (coloredl 225,' will participate"
1t will, therefore, clearly be seen that
if the South Carolina troops should
participate they would not only be
given a position behind negro troops,
but behind negro troops holding the
position of honor in the, parade. I
! have been infor' led that Brig. Gen.
Willie Jones has received information
that Maryland also has negro troops,
and it will be noted that Maryland has
signified an intention of participating
in the parade and has position near
the head of the column 1t is, there
fore, an inevitable conclusion that the
South Carolina troops would be treat
ed just as I expected they would be,
to wit, placed in a position il the pa
rade behind negro troops.
l desire to communicate this infor-
nation to you, gentlemen, in order
that, if your resolution should reach
me, my reply thereto will be under
stood, and in order that you may know
why | DO not consent for Ike ooo,.
Carolina troops to participate in the
inaugural parade. Individually, as
stated in my inaugural address, lelt
that l would receive just such treat
ment in case l should attend, but
do not expect to attend, for the lol
sons which l have heretofore stated
Ard I do not believe that the South
Carolina militia-either the officers OF
the privates-composed entirely OF
white men and gentlemen, will desire
to participate under the circum-
stances. Brig. Gen. Willie Jones will
not participate.
notice the following large head
lines in a Columbia newspaper this
morning: Wont Draw the LiGe on
Negro Militiamen Inaugural Com
mittee Declines to Give Assurance of
This Nature to Gov. Blease" Under
the head lines there, is Washington
dispatch in which it is stated: at is
nnofically stated that no negro troops
will march in the Wilson inaugural
parade, but the inaugural committee
authorities do not intend to take the
responsibility OF authorizing such
statement" It will be noted from the
communication ! have quoted above
that it is officially stated that negro
troops will participate and will lead
the parade. The last sentence in this
Washington dispatch is as follows:
whether or not South Carolina will
be represented in the inaugural parade
is a question still up to Governor
Blease" In answer to this question,
Governor Blease" emphatically says
no" 1t may be, or it may not be, that
some, of those whose political and per-
sonal animosity to me is well known,
and who will have part in arranging
the ceremonies connected with the
Inauguration, may be instrumental, in
view of the position which have TAX
en-, in eliminating negro troops from
the line of march, in order to make it
appear that | have been unduly exer-
cised over the matter But am stand
ing upon the official records in my
hands from the authorities in charge
of this parade, which give the situa-
ton, or purport to give the situation,
o@o;oIJ,, &c - ctopdc +O6av