The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-02-13
COOLIDGE PRE ESENT. AT DEDICATION OF. SOLDIER HOSPITAL
Institution for Negro Veterans Dedicated-ViCe PreSi- dent ExtoIIs Life of
 Lincoln.

TUSKEGEE, Ala, Feb. 12.-(Spe- cial.)-A rehabilitation hospital cost ing $2,ooO,ooo was formally dedicated today to the service of negro World war soldiers. The exercises were held on the grounds made famous by the life and works of Booker T. Washington. The institution is one of the very best in the country.
 Negro war veterans will receive care and treatment here for all classes of physical infirmities or in- juries received in the service.
 Vice President Coolidge, Governor W. W. Brandon and many other pub lie and private citizens attended the opening. In his address, Vice Presi- dent Coolidge declared that America stands unchangeably committed to the principle of the right of in- dividual freedom made forever plain and clear by Abraham Lincoln.
 Following an inspection of the hos pital and grounds. Vice President Coolidge, Governor Brandon and their official parties were informally well comed by pr. R. R. Moton, principal of Tuskegee institute, and the 2,000 students and teachers.
 Coolidge Speaks
 America stands unchangeably com mitted to the principle of the right to individual freedom made forever plain and clear by Abraham Lincoln, Vice President Calvin Coolidge de- clared
 The life of Abraham Lincoln" he said, "gave a new and practical meaning to the right of self-govern- ment, which was to grow into a great world of influence, Americans are not without justification In as- suming that this nation has been called into existence to establish, to maintain, to defend and to extend that principle. In so far as the World war was a conflict between different theories of civilization, it was conflict between those who supported this principle and those who opposed it. It was the liberty loving nations of the earth, those most generously committed to the principle of sovereignty of the people who were victorious. In that victory Abraham Lincoln had very large share"
 Freedom places grave duties and responsibilities on the individual which will bring success if met and performed, but failure If neg lected and eva6ed, the Vice Pres ident asserted. Tt was the belief of Abraham Lincoln." he continued that all people could and would finally rise to those requirements. In the less than seventy years that the negro race in America have been in the enjoyment of freedom they have made marvelous progress. That pro- sress is shown ass-notSsonly in the property which they have acquired not only in the talent which they have exhibited in the arts, in the pro- fessions. nor yet in the administra- ton Of business affairs, all of which have been very great, but most oi all in the honest, industrious way ir which the great body of their peo- rle have performed the plain, every contribution lies in the fact that they have helped to do the work of the na- tion.
 Refers to War
 "When the call came in time of war trey were ready and desirous to re- spond. More than two and one- quarter millions of them were regis tered under the selective draft. They were more anxious to enlist than trey were to evade any service for their country. In spite of every de- ception or temptation to which pub lie enemies artfully subjected them they exhibited a loyalty and devotion to the cause of America which was unsurpassed. Nearly four hundred thousand of them went into military service"
 The total casualty of negro troops, he said, was approximately 1O3 officers, and 1,543 enlisted men of whom G. officers and 203 enlisted men were killed in action. Fourteen negro officers and 43 enlisted men received the distinguished service cross, he added.
 Tt was not merely their soldiers in the field, but their citizens in the supporting army of production and transportation at home, both men and women, whose efforts contributed to the success of the allied armies," tn