The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-01-26
Why Not d Monument to a
Black Virginia Gentleman?
By BlLL PRICE.

black gentleman Of Virginia has passed TO thai ohsr
Ghcre where color Of skin is not barrier but whore the
measure i the purity and cleanliness q lie lived here e
good deeds done among human beings and fathnsss and
loyalty Of service TO those with whom We have come In con-
tact
Dick Green for fifty years confidential messenger TO SEQ
retares Of the Treasury When ssnator Glass d Virginia
Gle assertion that be was "a virginia gentleman be was not
using mere flower q spesoh Or words Of idle naey He
was telling truth that should live among those Of the colOred
race ana b remembered among black and white aNks
Where or how Dick Green became the true gentleman
8 to h ancestry ask whether he had college educston
Suffice IL to say that he had those qualities Of Eentenesh Of
sny IS so % 0.r sna rave neS S
Chesterfield il held up the acme Of pCteness but this
black - equal doubtless chssssds Superior in
gentleness and the things which make real gentleman.
Born slave IN Virginia having none Of the education
which raised Booker washngtCn . foremost rank among
bbed he gathered much from his intimate association with
the great he had served Although hs busted the hats
which put him in the GLASS Of shs menia lis soul Els bearing
bis manlness rose above It Ill and gained fOr him vide
spread admiration and respect 1noOruptib faithful TO-
Ill cresds
Of this country with their wives daughters Or sons and knew
that they were safe iii his hands He knew their family and
official secrets They kept nothing from him. Never word
His gnlsnsss was not Of that ubseQOas charaeter often
found among those doing service q re Kind he performed
Green for helping hand got It and with Il that attractive
smile thai wonderful courtesy which iinated~ his career
He did not uoke to official power wealth social position
He simply served in charming manner lowly treasury
clerk would get the same gentle treatment and reception
from this black skinned man that Cabinet officer or
Senator would get The condolences no were violated
Every trust sacred TO him. The troubles Of others
were mpahetCaly catered TO- the helping hand given
possible.
Dick Green's exceptionally useful life was worthy Of emu
atiOn The color Of his skin alone deprived him Of the o
pOrtunes TO rise to position and power but in spite Of
every handicap he rose high In the esteem Of mankind and
died without dark spot to becoud his notable service TO the
Government Of Uncle Sam.
Congress has erected many monuments In this city TO CON-
memorate deeds Of service TO country Private money
erected others monument marks the unusual in man
those super qualities that made him stand out among his
fellow citizens his greatness glorious achievements his
sterling character, clean and worthy Me
Dick Green though he stood out among
men by his possession Of those qualities that endea that are
enrolling and worthy Of perpetuatCn His aim live so
that when the dark shadows closed around him and the last
call came, could point to besh or remember
hurt he was responsible for he died he had vsda true
gentleman
Isn't his life worthy Of monument by Congress or BY
white and black citizens?