The broad ax., 1914-09-05

Black man, by name John johnson
a 24-pounder struck him in the hir
and took away all the lower part OF
MS body. In this state the poor brave
Fellow lay on the deck, and several
times exclaimed to his shipmates: ''Fire
away, my boys; no haul a color down. u
Another black man by the name of
John Davis, who was struck in much
the same manner, repeatedly requested
TO be thrown overheard, saying that
he was only in the way of others. /
know of nothing finer in history than
these.
But let me read for the information
of the House and the country what the
great apostle of the Democratic Party,
Gen. Andrew Jackson, had to say about
the valor Of Colored soldiers while he
was President of the United States.
Writing under date Of December Is,
1874, he stated:
To the men of color, soldiers:
From the shores of Mobile called
you to arms. 1 invited you to share
In the perils and to divide the glory
of your White eountrymen. I expected
much from you, for / was not unin-
formed of those qualities which must
render you so formidable to an invading
foe. / knew you could endure hunger
and thirst and all the hardships of war.
l knew that you loved the land of your
nativity, and that, like ourselves, you
had to defend all that is most dear
to man. But you surpass by hopes. 1
have found in you, united to those quail
titles, that noble enthusiasm that impels
to great deeds.
Soldiers: The President of the United
States shall be informed of your conduct
on the present occasion, and the voice
of the representatives of the American
Nation shall applaud your valor. The
enemy is near. His sails cover the
lakes, but the brave are united; and if
he finds US eontending among ourselves
it will be for the prize of valor and
fame, its noblest reward.
During the War of 1912 a charging
column of the American Army was
repulsed and thrown into great disorder.
A COlored soldier, private in the ranks,
at the risk of his life, sprang upon a
horse near by and with great heroic
effort rallied the troops and led them
back to a second charge, in this way
completely routing the enemy. This
Colored soldier was afterwards reward
ed by. Gen. jackson with the honorary
title of major. Under the laws which
existed at that time Gen. jackson could
not commission this gallant soldier, and
after the close of the war he returned
to his home in Nashville, Tenn, where
he lived for many years thereafter and
was highly respected by the citizens
of all races.
Again, at the battle Of New Orleans,
the Colored troops stood with Gen. Jack
son behind hastily constructed breast
work, and 400 of their sharpshooters
helped to hurl back the flower Of the
English army, subsequently to the Eng
lish defeat. Gen. Jackson also COM
handed the Colored troops in the fight
against Lord Peckenham at New Or
leans.
And now, Mr.. Chairman, for the in
formation of the House and the country,
1 feel it my duty to read at this point
Gen. Jaekson's proclamation to the
Colored soldiers while commanding the
forces in the War of 1914. desire that
it shall be inserted in full in the Record
as part of my remarks:
From Niles Register, Vol. VII, p.
2O5.)
Gen. Jackson's Proclamation to the
Negroes.
Headquarters, Seventh Military Dis
trict, Mobile, September 81, 1914.
To the free Colored inhabitants Of
louisiana:
Through a mistaken policy you have
heretofore been deprived of a partieipa- !
lion in the glorious struggle for national
rights in which our country is engaged.
This no longer shall exist.
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