The Dallas express. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1893-1970, 1921-10-08
ADDRESS OF JAMES WELDON
SON.

Mr.. President:
AS Secretary OF the National Asso-
citation for the Advancement Of Color
ed People and spokesman for this
representatives OF bodies deeply con-
cerned for Americas good name,
have the honor 10 present petition
signed by fifty thousand American
you exercise executive clemency ana
pardon the sixty-one members OF the
gath U. 8. Infantry now IN the Fed
eral Prison nj Loavenworth, Kansas,
convicted on charges OF rloting at
Houston. Texas, In August 1917.
We are delegation representing
the fifty thousand signerB OF this Pc
tition which we have the honor to
lay before you, and we come not only
as a representative OF those who sign
ed the petition, but we are spokes-
men Of the sentiments OF the ten
millions or more OF Negro citizens
Of the United States.
The Petition yon will note asks for
your pordon on three grounds; first,
the previous record for discipline. SER
vice and soldisrly conduct OF the gath
local luminosity which manifested IT.
self in insults, threats and acts OF
violence against Colored soldiers;
punishment meted out to members Of
the gath Infantry Of whom nineteen
were hanged, thirteen OF them sum
marily and without right OF appeal to
the Secretary Of War or TO the Presi-
dent. their COMMUNICATIVE chief. This
clandestine execution shocke the en-
tire country and apparel 10 the Col
ored people to SAVIOR OF vengeance
rather than Justice. SiXty-one mem
bers OF the 2ith Infantry are still In
prison serving life and long time
/ wish to say a word about the
proyocation which occasloned. the riot
~ August 1917 In Houston, Texas, as
the consequence Of which this pun
ishment was meted out
Contrary 10 all precedent. the pros
vost guard OF this Colored regiment
had been disarmed In a state and IN
city where insult was the Colored
United States soldiers daily exper-
fence Following long series OF hui
initiating and harassing Incidents, one
soldier was brutally beaten and a
well beloved on-comnissioned off
cor of the regiment fired unon be-
cause they had Interviewed In the mis-
treatment OF u CdlOred woman by
local policemen. The report spread
among the regiment that thoir nom
more, had been killed. Whatever acts
may have been committed by these
men We're not tho result OF any pre-
maditnted design. The men were
This Is borne out by the long record
al orderly and soldierly conduct on
the part Of this regiment throughout
fits whole history up to that time.
Moreover although white citizens u
Houston, were involved In these riots
md the regiment 60 which, these mon
belonged was Differed entirely by
white mon. none but Negroes SO far
as we haVo been able 20 learn. have
ever been prosecuted or punished. In
consequence. the wholesale punish
mcnt melted out TO those Colored sol
diera Of their country bore the aspect
81 visitation upon their color rather
than upon their crime. The atten-
ton OF Colored people throughout the
United States VIII be focused upon
the action which II may please you
~ take
IN consideration therefore Of the
almost five years already served In
prison BY the sNty-oue men and Of
The FOREGOING facts, and because OF
the long record for bravery discipline
and soidiorly conduct OF this particu-
lar regiment and IN the name Of the
steadfast loyalty Of tho American Ne
gro In every crisis of tho nation, we
hespeak your attention 70 the petit
tion which we beg herewith to pre-
sent TO you