Chicago, Ill., Jan. 19—Treatment of a highly important nature has been accorded the criticisms of Negro soldiers made by general Robert Lee Bollard by Congressman Martin B. Madden of the First Illinois District, who last week caused to be inserted in the Congressional Record a detailed recital of the achievements of the colored solider in American history, as well as a vindication of the Ninety-second division.
“It is a pity that a great commander would take the time in his history of the war to occupy the space to belittle men of any race who gave themselves freely to their country in defense of the flag,” Mr. Madden said in the course of his remarks to the House. “As a commander it was his duty to see that these men, and all other men under his charge, were properly commanded, properly treated without discrimination, and encouraged in every way possible to do their duty as soldiers. If he failed to do this as a soldier, he should not have availed himself of the privilege of traducing the soldiers of his command when he came to write the history of their service.
“I think that, when the history of the war is written without prejudice, it will be found that the Negro soldiers did their duty; that they had courage, bravery and patriotism; that they were willing to make any sacrifice, and that if any failure followed their service it was not the failure of the rank and file; it was the prejudice which existed in the commanders who would not permit them to succeed if it was possible to make them fail.”
From the front page of The Star of Zion, The Official Organ of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, Charlotte, N.C., Jan. 21, 1926
newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sf88092969/1926-01-21/ed-1/seq-1/
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