Detroit tribune. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1933-1933, 1933-12-02

keepsakes the other day ran
across an old copy OF Visitors
Guide and souvenir of the Sesqui
Centennial held in Philadelphia
some years ago II contains the his
tory and the Development OF the
Negro within the last half century.
had almost forgotten that there
were so many Negroes who had at
tanned great heights, and so 1t was
welcome thing to find this book
and TO read of the things which
Negroes have done to make history
I'm the United States.
SO many times ! have heard
young people say, oh, what is the
use for US TO try? Negroes can
never get any where any way
But they are mistaken. We do get
somewhere. We have gotten some
where. am sure many OF you d.
not know of the many great things
people OF our race have done.
Going back to the beginning OF
the L. S. We find that both free
Negroes and slaves were employed
on both sides in the revolutionary
war. They were found In all
branches OF the patriot army, ami
generally served in the same regi-
ments with the white soldiers. In
the war of 1912, Commodore Perry
spoke highly of the bravery and
good conduct OF the many Negroes
who were under his command at
the battle OF Lake Erie. He said,
They seemed to be absolutely in
sensible OF danger" Over 1000
colored men were enlisted ami
sent to the army at this time at
Sacket's Harbor. Two battalions
composed of 500 Negroes disttn-
guishei themselves at the battle
OF New Orleans. Something like
17S,075 Negro soldiers were en-
ployed in the Civil War. These
troops were engaged in many Of
the bloodiest battles of the war.
The engagements in which they
particularly distinguished them
selves were. the battle of Milliken's
Bend on the Mississippi. near
Nicksburg; the assault on Port
Hudson, near Baton Rouge; the
defense of Charleston. S. c.; the
assault of Petersburg, Va; and the
battle of Nashville, Tenn.
During the Spanish American
War. Negroes took more con-
spicious part than in any previous
war waged by the L. S. At the first
battle in Cuba, the 10th Cavalry
distinguished itself by coming to
the support of Colonel Theodore
Roosevelt and the rough riders.
The 9th and 10th cavalry and tn
oath Infantry took conspicuous
part, and rendered heroic service
in the battle Of san Juan Hill
wonder no mmany of us stop
to think OF the magnificent record
the NegFoca. mado in the world
war? Some among the first OF the
expcditionary forces to get into
action. The first soldiers of the
American Army to be decorated for
bravery in France. were two
Negroes, Henry Johnson and
Ncedham Roberts. members of the
309th infantry. These two men
while on sentry duty were attacked
by raiding party Of 90 or moro
Germans. Battling in the blackness
Of the night, with their rifles, hand
gronaies and bolo knife, wholly
deprived OF the assistance of their
comrades they put to flight Al
enemy of at least "a strong. For
this act OF bravery, Johnson and
Roberts were given medals.
could go on endlessly and re-
call acts OF bravery on the part OF
Negro soldiers during the world
war. and other wars. which you
have all probably forgotten, If you
ever heard OF them. But there is so
much more TO tell.
In music especially, the Negro
has made a place for himself. The
origin OF Rag Time and Jazz music
was originated by members of our
race. But not only in these types
OF music has the world heard CT
the Negro. Who OF you have not
heard Of the emminent composers,
James Hemmenway, Sam Lucas,
Gusso L. Davis, Samuel Taylor,
VIII Cook, J. Rosamond Johnson
and many others who have written
songs which are still being played
and sung and which will never be
forgotten?
In the other arts l can name
scores who have made a name for
themselves. In painting there are
p. M. Bannister, Henry o. Tanner,
William A. Harper, William Ed
ward Scott. The poets who have
made good. would make book in
themselves. There is Juan Latino.
Antar. Alexander Dumas. and his
son. M. Horton, PhillIs Wheatley,
Jupiter Hammond, Fenton Johnson
and the present day poet Langston
Hughes.
In sporting there are countless
men and women who have won
acclaim in the world. You all know
OF the magnificent records of Ne
groes at the last Olympic games
Eddie Tolan, for instance-As @