Pueblo chieftain., 1921-05-30
Messages From
the People
Editor, Pueblo chieratn:

Editor. Pueblo Chiefratn:
America IS about to celebrate its
sacred holiday. which Is annually held
In memory of those blessed veterans
OF the Civil war who gave up their
lives that this country might not be
destroyed Many years have rolled
away since then and doubtless with
them many individual memories but
me world can never forget the slori-
Gus results they achieved These will
continue to grow as long as liberty is
ore of Americas principles
The lame and halt will meet on
Monday at the cemeteries all over our
fair land and there scatter their
press and form platform and pulpit
fond memories will be recalled And
great tribute paid Our Heroes
feel in speaking Of heroes that a
few words should be said of the negro
soldier Who has fought In all of
faithfully preformed his duty. In
many his blood has been the first 10
be shed In Boston there stands
monument to the world which tells
ms that the first blood shed In tho
American Revolution was that of "A
negro. Crtspus AttuckA The first in
tho Spaniah- war was that
of 4 nero. Corporal White: in the
Union army. whose memory we re-
we're. $500 black men wore the blue
and fought, bied and died for the
preservation OF the nation. In the
World war 400. 600 of our boys DON
ned the Khaki and in every depart
meut gave himself unreservediy for
The cause of democracy With ali
that might DO said of the SIND divt-
uon- an entire negro division. we are
forced TO admit that they played an
i'm RI IN
and at the signing OF the ArmsIice
were holding their own AT Kahn one
OF the nsarest approaches to the Ger
man stronghold. Metz What person
who kept UP with the events of those
days can forget the contribution of
members OF that fearful Rattlesnake
outfit, the 18th New York.
Our boys were faithful and true and
many OF them today lie sleeping the
drearnleS sleep in the American
cemeteries in France which tomorrow
Will be decorated according to our
custom. We have done our part and
arc willing to continue believing that
a fairer day awaits us. hoping for
Democracy in its fsirest bloom trust
ing that here under The Stars and
Stripes. the most beautiful of all
flags. our racial differences will be
adjusted without the aid of Klu
kluN klan which is causing terror in
some sections
Perhaps IL would be interesting to
some OF your readers To know that
the day we 80 often call Decoration
Day had It's origin in n southern state
and from negro school children.
At the close of the wAr when many
Of the whites wero going south and
giving their service as missionary
teachers among the colored. James
Redpnth, IN Charleston. n, G. offered
his services free As superintendent Of
The schools. which were accepted by
General Hatch commanding the dis
trict and General Saxon of tho Freed
mans bureau.
on one of his visits tn the negro
schools Mr.. Redpath spoke to tho
children of freedom and its cost and
talked of decorating the graves of the
defenders who wcrc willing TO pay tho
cost with their lives.
After his speech one little girl who
was 70 deeply impressed said Let
posics and hide the graves from sight.
so We c,n never sc~ them no more
never no more" This was in April.
Tho following May The negro school
children Of Charleston marched To
the rrare~ TO thus decorate them. II
&. said that most every ono had his
arms fun Of flowers. This was tho
Ifirs; great Observance and II WAS not
left alone to these schSoi children for
many whites Joined them.
To tho memory OF these blessed
dead 10000 people gathered on MAY
I. 1855 and with battalion Of roll
diers and here II WAS that the custom
sounding taps and firing n voilcy over
the graves was inaugurated. 1t struck
the hearts OF many loya -iti1cns.
among them Gen. y. r. Chipman who
! in 'ss suggested to Con. John A. Logan.
head of tho G. A. II. that they mako
such m observance annual. He In
turn called upon the organization to
| observe May 40. 1858. II wAs then
called Decoration Day. Since firs;
observed in Waterloo. y. Y. II has
been a custom in tho north.
May We he over willing to lay ayidc
all care and sport for one day in tho
year TO he devoted to tho blessed
memory OF our dead who fought to
preserve N great n nation
II MANSFIELD COLLINS.
Pastor OF st Paul a. NJ. r. Church,
Formerly Chaplain in L. S. Army.