The guardian., 1953-02-28
EDITOR TRoTTER At HIS BEST

The late editor of The Guardian wrote no books as his
father did before him. but he left of course specimens OF
his English in his paper and in his speeches We quote the
following address, delivered at the 15Oh anniversary OF the
Battle of Bunker Hill which consider his masterpiece
delivered almost extemporaneousy with notes 10 keep
him "on the line.
Massachusetts has erected everlasting public testimony
o the soldiers aid given the United States from the be-
ginning by AroAmericans The state has erected monu-
ment on Boston Common to the martyrs OF the Boston
Massacre March s. 177O which raised in bronze these
words ION that light foundation of American ndepend
ence was aid-John Adams" Above them the first name
chiseed aoft on the stone shaft Crspu Atuck whose
form lies PROSTATE below in bronze first martyr to the cause
of American independence, and he American OF
African descent
n the Colonial cemetery at Framingham stands grave
monument On its granite is chiseled-Peter Salem-A
Soldier of the Northumberland Bunker Hill Saratoga
Erected by the Town This AfroAmerican pioneer
soldier for the establishment of the nation.
Opposite the State Capitol erected by the State on
Boston Common stands another monument into the stone
of which are cut these words The black rank and file
volunteered when disaster threatened the Union cause
served without pay until given that of white soldiers were
brave in action They gave the nation and to the world
undyng proof that Americans of African descent possess the
pride courage and devotion of the patriot soldier 100000
such Americans enlisted under the Union flag from 1861 65
"They fought to the country from disruption Thus
Afro-Amercans again savors of the Republic after
they had fought in the War of 1872 the recapure
of the country by Great Britain They have fought every
war even to the last one in Flanders Fields
The Declaration of independence speaks of efevdent
truths Today we staeAfroAmercas self evident
truths. Here they
"Since for one hundred and fifty years Americans of
African descent have proven themselves soldiers to be
fully human human in the way other Americans
human and equal for hundred and fifty years
these AroAmercans have proven themselves to be phys
cay human beings just whittier Americans human and
equal since for hundred and fifty years AfroAmercans
have proven themselves through the mastery of all advanced
intellectual fields by individuals to be human beings
tally human Just like other Americans human and
essentially equal then after century and half the Amer
can government and the rest of the American people ought
to admit that Afo-Americans human in the way
that other Americans human and accord them the
treatments customary accorded human beings in civilized
lands.
"The American government and the whittier Americans
should accord Afro-Amercans the right courts
voting booths places for public education transportation
amusement accommodation and resort, and the labor
market on the same terms as other Americans.
In behalf of Afro-America here where Peter Salem and
Salem fought long ago. appeal to the American
government and people discontinue the practice Of making
the mere race and color of Aro-Amercans the Of
denial of life protection of the ballot of the right to work Of
accommodations like all others receive in institutions anc
places conducted for the publics benefit and necessities
Monroe Trotter fought for the things Enumerated ir
the next to last paragraph People said he demanded
much the times ripe for full equality But he stood
like Garrison and would not retreat single inch!