Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1920-10-02
THE NATIONAL MEMORIAL FOR
NEGRO SOLDIERS AND SAILORS.


(of Washington, u. c. representing
The National Memorial Association
Inc, for the erection OF Il memorial
building at the Capital of the Nation
70 commemorate the heroic deeds Of
me Nesio soldiers and sailors who
and thc late World War, addressed
IN. ltI;E Annua. Convention OF tina
Ordcr of Good Shepherds at 9th Mt.
Zion Baptist Church, Richmond, Va,
Wednesday night September Sth.
This order has proven to be ono Of
the most progressive fraternal organi
cations known among orr people. HaV
ing been organized only ten years
ago, it has Il membership of over s,
600, comprising the States OF ilary
land Virginia and Pennsylvania.
Much enthusiasm was evinccd, and
the Order pledged its support in a
very substantial way to the movement.
Lawyer j. Thomas IIcwin: Commits
sioner OF the National Memorial Asso
citation for tho State of Virginia and
head of the Order, presided. Attorney
htwin not only pledged the support
OF the body in session, but urged up
on tho subordinate lodges TO use their
Influence in several sections to aid
in urging Congress to pass tho bill
now pendiug before that body
asking that site be selected and an
appropriation given for the erection
OF memorial. The church was pack
cd TO tho lnnrc IF
rnt joining the Association.
The following is the address dc
livcred by Mr.. T.. D. Lee President
Of the National Memorial Association
Inc
More than 4 half century ago tho
Martyred Lincoln wrote the Enamel
patton Proclamation that gave FREQ
dom to the slaves Of America I'm.
mediately following that memorable
event the Civil War closed. Within
the past few years several appropri-
ate celebrations have been held in
commemoration Of President Lin.
coins noble deed. These events have
passed into history and remain dear
to the memory Of grateful people.
In every war of the Nation the Nc
gro has had his place. In the War of
lSl2( at Mexico, in the Civil War,
the Spanish-American War. His brav
questioned.
His deeds of valor and sacrifice
for the honor Of the Nation and per
petuity of the Union have been told
in song and story. But no monument
OF marble or bronze has been erect
ell by the nation nor the race with
which he is identified, to be gazed
upon by future generations and
arouse i'll them generation and pride
for their heroic ancestry.
1t is quite proper that after these
long, long years of seeming neglect
u monument should be erected to the
memory of the dead heroes Of the
Colored race, who sacrifice their
lives upon the Altar of their coun
try.
From Boston Common to the Ar
soh!ie co"CIS Il stretch Of more than
Il century.
The story Of tho Negro in the wars
CT America covers this long period
history fails to record where a
grateful republic has erected a mon
ument in fmperishable marble or
bronze as memorial to glorify the
Heroic deeds of its Negro Allies.
The National Memorial Association
has asked the National Congress to
erect such memorial in the form
CT beautiful building in the City Of
washington, the Nations Capital, as
fitting tribute to the memory of the
Negro soldiers and sailors who fought
In all the Nations wars.
We ask grateful people to join
the National Memorial Association.
Inc. and help create nation O
sentiment such as will give the liv-
ing heroes Of a loyal race an inspir
alton to greater deeds in peace and to
show to generations vet unborn tho
veneration in which their own race
hold both the living and dead heroes
of a patriotic and loyal people.
1t is written In the book Of fame Of
American soldiers that the Three
hundred and siXty-ninth United Stat
es Infantry, the first Negro Regi-
mcnt to go into active service on the
firing line, never lost a prisoner, a
trench 7 foot Of ground in a scr
vice Of nearly = year on French Oil.
Marching as an advance guard of the
One Hundred and sixty-first Divis-
ion Of the French Second Army, it
was the the first unit Of allied armies
to reach the Rhine after the signing
of the armistice. The regiment had
19l days in front-line trenches, which
is believed to be a record among
American units. The regiment never
fought in an American brigade or di
vision, but as part of the French
Army.
No matter where they fought. they
fought and as colored troops Of the
United States have always fought
"nobly." Fort Wagner and Kettle
Hill and northern Mexico know the
record Of their gallantry. And now
Europe knows It.
The report of PrOyoat Marshal Gau