Richmond’s Recognition of its Colored Troops

The City Council approves a bond to build an armory for the “colored” troops of Richmond.

The action of the Richmond, Va. City Council in the appropriating $7,500 in city 4 per cent bonds for the erection of an armory for the colored troops is indeed commendable and will no doubt be noted with surprise by sister cities to the south of us.
The surprise will be greater when it is known that the measure was introduced by a colored member and referred to a Democratic Finance Committee, approved by [unintelligent] Negro-hating speech by one of the members, he is being the only one to vote against it, and unanimously approved by a Democratic Common Council, and signed by a Democratic Mayor.
It would seem that liberal-minded white men were multiplying in this section and demagogues were being ordered to take back seats. The time is not far distant when VIrginians will see what those of this city have already seen, that people regardless of race or color must work in harmony in order to achieve permanent success.

“Richmond’s Recognition of its Colored Troops,” Black Virginia: The Richmond Planet, 1894-1909, accessed April 24, 2025, https://blackvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/73.