The Dallas express. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1893-1970, 1919-04-26

was about to be the guest of the
city; and the mayor said he wished
he could take all present as the
reception committee.
The principal address was delivered
by that master Of speakers, by that
prince of didactic teaching through
words and appropriate lessons;
through familiar objects, through
homely sayings in Illustrations that
child may understand. that Race
Man. that scholar and orator, Prof
w. ii. Burnett, who thrills and enter
,tains the vast audience which had
been listening to speeches for more
than two hours.
Mr.. Burnett rose to the require
ment of the hour. reviewing the ac-
ehieyements OF the black man in all
the wars In which the American
people had had some part. He vivid
iy portrayed the valor of the Negro
soldiers under fire on San Juan Hill,
the heroic efforts Of the black flag
b6arer who placed Old Glory on the
spanish block house, after tearing
down the Spanish flag. and how these
same saved the day and brought
victory to the American arms, but
an account which is not found in
the text books which Negro children
read. He related the stories told
of the deeds on the battle front by
the brave black heroes over there,
how they endured the dangers, suf-
fering in the frozen mud, In the
trenches drenched with icy waters
above their knees and going with
out food for seventy two hours, and
under shell fire all the time, and
IL these men are good enough to
stop a bullet, they are good enough
to be full American citizens in its
fullest sense of the term Of citizen
ship. He admonished the soldiers
not to be too impatient, remember
ing that after the Normans hand con-
qnered England in 1866, it WAS eighty
years before the English were al
lowed to hold Office and we had not
been free quite that long as yet.
The speaker reviewed the action of
the black man during the civil war
who had placed himself across the
threshold OF his masters family,
while his master was at the. front
fighting for what he conceived to
be his duty, and that how these same
trusted blacks protected the wives
and daughters of their masters and
that this one act had made name
for the Negro that time could not
efface. Mr.. Burnett also stressed the
protection that the black soldier
should give to their wives, sisters,
and sweet hearts by living manly
and upright lives. He advised that
there should be no rashness but that
each should at all times stand for
manhood rights in dignified man
ner. not to raise howl nor whine,
TOR the thing that is always bowling
and whining must be a dog, but as
sert actions provocative OF the men
that you are are saying that once
big man and little man met in a
narrow way, and there was not
room for both to pass at the time,
and that the big man said to the
little man, II neyer give the road
to a dog" saying this, the big man
squared himself in the road taking
up the passage way, and the little
man, said to the big man who had
said that he never gives the road to
a dog, the little man walking around
and leaving the road, said, II do"
This is the way we have overcome
some times. But let us be men at
all times, men In morals, men, in
worth, honoring the great women
who have made it possible for you
to prove your worth and valor abroad
after we had been slandered by GER
tain cheap statesmen who have
flooded the old world with false lit
erature, and false and corrupt die
trines and intrigues. You have re-
moved the ISLANDERS by your manly
and heroic actions and by your cor
rect lives while abroad You have
made a new name for the American
Negro both at home and in the great
war In which we have won. Remain
true your trust. go on as you have
won the war by your actions. win
peace, win the higher battles which
entities you to recognitions of your
rights and not only yours, but that
of the great race which you have
had the honor to represent In battle
and In victory.
After the addresses, a great berbe-
cue was served the soldiers, covers
being laid Tor more than a thousand.
This done, lie day passed into his
tory and was registered in the brigh-
test galaxy Of our city which honor
ed those who defended her on for
eign soil, and made a place for the
race born in a day.
The great speaking was opened
by prayer by the Rev. McDade of
Corsicana.