Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1918-09-14
SIX MORE DIE.

This trial by court-martial in tho
Regular Army is grucsomc business,
if we are to judge by the "star
chamber proceedings in the trial OF
the colored troopers alleged to have
been guilty of riotous conduct some
time ago at Houston, Texas.
Whereas the newspaper reports
were to the effect that five colorcd
men were under sentence of death,
as matter Of fact sixteen had been
condemned to danglc at Il nooses end.
But we are more interested in the
rather remarkable statement OF
President Woodrow Wilson in ana
lying the facts in the case and in
giving his reasons for permitting the
law to take its course in the cases
Of six Of the culprits.
We take this occasion to say that
something has been gained in the
way of recognition on the part OF
the colorcd people, when this great
statesman, in the midst of manifold
and momcntous duties, stops to
assign reasons for his action and to
say word IN communication of the
brave colorcd men who arc fighting
and dying for this country on the
other side Of the Atlantic.
We must admit that we are deeply
disappointed with his findings and
almost hcart-brokcn over his decision
not TO stop this useless slaughter OF
fn nfi fnr ,rh; ol
TO our minds, already sufficient
atonemcnt has been made.
But President Wilson is the Court
Of final resort" in this matter and
from his decision there should be
no appeal. Much can be said in
favor Of his position as against that
taken by former President Roosevelt.
He took the position that both the
guilty and the innocent should be
punished, If he could not find the
guilty. President Wilson has taken
the position that only tho guilty
should be punished and that only
those conclusively proven to be ac-
tive participants in the riotous
conduct should receive tho highest
punishment known to the law.
We are free to say though that
we cannot see the difference in the
degree of punishment between hang
ing six persons and condemning to
life Imprisonment ten others. Both
sentences and punishments are on a
par. Petitions were sent from all
over the country asking that the
further shedding of colored mems
blood cease, and that the life SEN
tence be substituted for further cX-
ecutions Of these men in time Of war.
1t is evident that the War Depart
ment would not consent to this
request and right through here the
War Department is supreme.
In asking for Communication, there
was no reflection upon the court
martial officials, it was pleading for
mercy in the face of memorable JUS
tice. Fifty leading colored journal
lists and editors emphasized this
appeal. The result has been, no
doubt, an official memorandum on
ilc "hlSh VIII w lluCH 10 place our
case in a proper light before future
generations and the world at large.
The men, who have been executed,
nineteen OF them, Joined the United
States Army to fight and die. They
have had their desires gratified, even
though death came in manner not
sought by them.
The white men really responsible
for the Houston riot have not been
punished. They were police officers
and as much subject to discipline as
are the men who have gone to their
death and the many others, who are
now lifetime prisoners in the Federal
prison.
When three colored troopers were
executed at Camp Dodge, Des Moines
Iowa. Friday, July 5th, 1918, after
being convicted OF the heinous crime
Of criminal assault upon white girl,
no word Of protest came from tho
more than ten million colored people
in this country. All Of us regarded
it as a good radiance and would have
been forward in pulling the rope
thatAsent them to their death.
Some way and somehow we do not
place these nineteen colored men in
the same category Of culprits al