Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1919-03-15
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DIR. Motion Speaks In Boston.

Boston. Mass, March A great
audience gathered last night In Sym
phony Hall to pay tribute to the pa
triotism and valor shown by Negro
Soldiers in tho war. cheered repeat
odly us DR.. Robert r. Motion, recent
~ returned from a special mission &c
France, asked justice for the Negro
CS.
"nhey fought one fight to get into
the war; said the principal OF Tuskc
roo Institute. "Thoy fought another
in the war itself. They won the Grst
fight and they won the second and
now | believe they are going to win
tho third. We ar asking no special
privileges and no special opportuni
lies. All we are asking for tho No
Erocs in this country Is on absolute
ly clun! chance with every ohcr
American c citizen. In hc name Of God
. after what have observed over therC
what thcRc colored men have done
over there fighting for democracy and
"fter wha', they have suffered to make
tho world safe for democracy, I don't
see how any group Of nations or any
group OF men cnn ever withhold from
them right and justice and an equal
chance with other human beings"
Fifty members Of company i of
the old 9Th Massachusetts regiment
were on Enthusiastically applauded as
they marched through the crowded
gathering to their places on the plat
form. Seated there were about 100
mombcrs OF the choral classes from
the Robert Gould Shaw House who
gave selections ut intervals through
on IN los, II,
+. Gorum. The Rev. DR.. Alexander
Mann rector Of Trinity Church, pro
sided.
Emmett J. Scott special assistant
10 the secretary OF war, told of the
Negroes part in winning the war.
ut is highly significant" he said,
that although eight per cent OF the
total registration. Is percent OF the
total number OF mon who were call
ed to the colors under tho first draft
were members Of tho Negro racial
group. These facts and figures not on
~ show the Negroes enrgerness to
sorvc rs n soldier, but dissipate the
ancient yarn about The black race
hctng deteriorating or decadcnt PEG
pie for the draft law called for men
who were physically fit.
bufinS INC recent war, the AmCrl
can Negro was represented in practi-
cally every branch Of the army.
Whether brigRded with French troops
or fighting rs an American division
cine 92nd and 93rd for instsnce) our
men met the tests OF braNsry, forth
tude. loyalty, intelligence-and en-
durcd hardships and privations with
good nature and even good humor I"
DR.. Notion began his address by
declaring that In the shadow OF the
monuments to Crispus A:tucks and
Robert Gould Shaw there was no
ne"1 OF proving the va1or and cour-
age Of the Negro soldier. "This
natton," he proceeded. has never
seen finer demonstration of loyalty
and patriotism than was manifested
by tho Negroes who during the great
war gave freely Of their money, Of
their enorgy and efrsrts to tho end
thai the war might b. wag to q sue
cen9ful conclusion. doubt IL there
is parallel In history Of similar ef-
forts put forth by q peepla In q eini-
lar situation In order that they might
hare tho privilege Of placing their
yves Mt the service OF their country"
Tho meeting was brought to o close
with tho singing OF "The Battle Hymn
OF tho Republic"