On saluting black officers General John B Castleman

Drawing Color Line, Albert Lea Evening Tribune, 1917

DRAWING COLOR LINE.

The question as to whether a white man must salute a colored officer in Uncle Sam's army is causing considerable trouble in many of the training camps. Many white officers, especially southerners have absolutely refused to recognize a colored officer.

Gen. John B. Castleman of Kentucky says:

"I unhesitatingly say that I will at any time salute an officer, superior or inferior, who salutes me, without regard to the color of his skin. The regulations and laws, and the fundamentals of courtesy and discipline, upon which these regulations and laws are based, prescribe this. It is no time to stand against them. I want to urge every soldier to be a soldier in the full sense of the term. We are at war, and soldiers are under the rules of the American army. We are all one under the flag. We salute the rank, not the individual."

General Castleman's stand in this matter seems to be right. It isn't the man that he salutes, but what he stands for.'

Albert Lea Evening Tribune
Thursday, November 22, 1917, Albert Lea, Minnesota


It is the rank, not the individual, who is saluted. The military regulations are plain on this point, and we of the South, however hard it comes to us, must see to it that our spirit is that of America and the National Army in every particular. The Negroes are soldiers like the white men, ready to face the same conditions and perils and ready to pour out their blood as freely as if they were white. If General John B. Castleman, as he says, can cheerfully salute a Negro soldier, then any son of a Confederate can do the same. — Louisville, Ky., Times. 
(source: The Crisis: Volumes 15-18 page 78)

White Soldiers Object To saluting Negro Officers.

In connection with the commissioning of large numbers of Negroes as officers, there almost immediately came up the question as to whether white soldiers should salute Negro officers the same as they did white officers. This matter was brought prominently, to public attention when at Louisville, (Kentucky) a non-commissioned white officer was taken to task for failing to salute a Negro Captain. General John B. Castleman of Louisville, (Kentucky), a former Confederate soldier, when asked for his opinion on the matter of saluting Negro officers, said:

“The discipline of the army must be maintained and the non-commissioned officers understand little of the spirit of the army when they refuse to salute a Negro officer. I have held several commissions in the military service and I unhesitatingly say that I would or will at any time salute any officer, superior or inferior, who salutes me, without regard to the color of his skin. The regulations, the laws and the fundamentals of courtesy and discipline upon which these regulations and laws are based, prescribe this. This is not the time to stand against them. I regret the incident and want to urge every soldier to be a soldier in the full sense of the term. We are at war, and soldiers are un der the rules of the American army. We are all one under one flag. We salute the rank, not the individual.”

(source: Negro Year Book, An Annual Encyclopedia of the Negro 1918-1919)

The New York Times
November 12, 1917

Salute Negroes in the South
Gen. Castleman, ex-Confederate, Tells Soldiers it is their Duty

Gathering of Big Men Assures Statue to
"Dear Old General."
Enthusiasm is Shown.
Equestrian Piece Planned to be a Credit to the Whole City.

Charles F. Grainger
Mayor of Louisville, KY

If there ever was any question as to just how much sincerity and tenderness, and real affection and admiration and loyalty could be crowded into four little words, it was settled today after hearing a group of Louisville's representative citizens refer to General John B. Castleman as "the dear old General." The four words were voiced in many keys by men of varied interests— professional men, millionaires, soldiers — in fact, the very flower of Louisville's citizenry — but in each instance they carried absolute conviction of the profound admiration and affection which each man holds for General Castleman. The occasion of the meeting, which was held in the leather room at the Seelbach at twelve o'clock, was the formulation of plans and the effecting of an organization to carry out the work necessary to have made and placed in one of Louisville's parks an equestrian statue in bronze of General John B. Castleman. Charles F. Grainger acted as temporary chairman, but for some time before the meeting was formally called to order the men discussed the plan informally, and each man had some new incident to relate, giving additional reasons why he personally "just wanted to see that statue put up right away." Rare good fellow ship prevailed and there was a deal of kindly jesting among the men, and it was authoritatively stated four new stories were told, but were not ordered spread upon the minutes.

THOUGHT HE KNEW. 

When Mr. Grainger called the meeting to order he said: "I thought I knew a number of General Castleman's fine characteristics, I thought I could say as many kind things, and appreciative things about the dear general as any man in Louisville, but I pledge you my word that since this project was first broached about six or eight weeks ago, and I have since discussed it with some of my friends and have told some people that they might contribute, I have learned that I could not begin to express the kindly things that have been said about General Castleman. Each man to whom I have spoken about the plan of placing a statue of General Castleman in one of the parks has fairly jumped at the opportunity to contribute, and in doing so has given such a variety of reasons for admiring the general that I realize my own limitation in expressing what I feel for him. The matter was first discussed by a few of us at the bridge club about six or eight weeks ago. John Vreeland and I talked it over, and then all the men present said: 'Sure, go ahead." A list was made out of seventy men, and I want to say that I believe this was the most representative list of Louisville's citizens ever gotten together — "

WANTED To KNOW.

Just here the query was put to Mr. Grainger by several of the men present — "were we on that list, Charlie?" Upon being assured by Mr. Grainger that most emphatically "he had 'em on the list," he was allowed to proceed. "Out of that list of seventy," continued Mr. Grainger, "there were only four refusals — and these were from reasons that were adequate. I want to read you just a few brief extracts from some letters I have received — each letter, by the way containing a subscription. Here is one from Hardin H. Littell in Buffalo. Mr. Littell says: 'I gladly inclose my subscription toward erecting an equestrian statue to dear old General Castleman, the man who so long kept life in and held together the State Guard (Louisville Legion); who did so much for Louisville's beautiful park system, the Saddle Horse Breeders' Association, Horse Show As sociation, and many other things of benefit to dear old Louisville.' 

"I was with General Castleman for nine years in the 'Louisville Legion" days'" said Mr. Grainger, "and I want to say right now that if General Castleman had the money which he spent personally for the good of the Legion, I believe it would amount to $25,000. And no man ever came to Louisville with a letter of introduction to General Castleman that the general did not give his personal courtesy and kindly thought to the stranger."

Mr. Grainger then read other letters received from prominent Louisville men. "Here is a letter from Naples-on-the-Gulf," said Mr. Grainger. "It says: 'You have certainly secured a representative list of our best citizens as subscribers to the Castleman memorial. The general is entitled to this expression from his fellow-citizens, and it is most fitting that it should come while he is still with us. The general is justly deserving a full measure of praise for the good work already done by him. A notable characteristic of the dear general is that whatever he does is always done well. Mr. Watterson and my brother, when I mentioned your request most willingly joined with me in authorizing you to place their names on. the list of $100 subscribers.' This letter is from Colonel W. B. Haldeman."

TRIBUTE TO LIVING FRIEND. 

Referring to the question of the propriety of erecting the statue while General Castleman is living, Mr. Grainger said : "I'd rather have five kind words while I am alive than a ton of flowers after I'm dead," and the men present with a most thorough unanimity concurred in this viewpoint. Marion Taylor was then elected permanent chairman, Oscar Fenley, treasurer and Daniel E. O'Sullivan, secretary, although Mr. O'Sullivan protested that he wanted to make a speech, in fact, would rather make a speech than be secretary. However, upon being assured that he might do both, he entered upon his duties. Mr. Grainger had announced that $6,200 was already pledged, and John W. Barr then spoke briefly, and suggested that the testimonial be one from the entire public, and also that provision be made that any amount of money needed 'should be raised. "The general has always been accustomed to riding good horses," said Mr. Barr, smilingly, "and we want this bronze horse to be the very best, one that the general will approve of, and we want the statue of General Castleman to be one that we will all*enjoy looking at."

THE RESOLUTIONS.

Mr. Grainger offered the following resolutions: 

RESOLVED, That a committee consisting of eleven remembers selected from the subscribers to this testimonial be appointed and empowered to receive subscriptions, employ a sculptor, select a design and take such other steps as it may deem necessary to carry out the object of this meeting. 

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the chairman of this meeting' be authorized to select and appoint said committee, and that he be an ex-officio member. 

Which was unanimously adopted, and the following committee appointed by the chair: Marion E. Taylor, John B. McFerran, J. M. Atherton, Lawrence Jones, Oscar Fenley, W. I. Mapother, Allen R. Hite, Charles F. Grainger, C. C. Mengel, B. Bernheim, Bruce Haldeman and Dan E. O'Sullivan. The only unfortunate thing about the meeting was that no one man was allowed to finish his own special tribute to the general, because' "the other fello" was so anxious to voice his heartfelt admiration.

A tribute to John B. Castleman by William R. Goodwin, on November 8, 1913

November 8, 1913

William R. Goodwin, a member of the American Saddle Horse Breeders' Association, and editor of the Breeder's Gazette came from Chicago to attend the unveiling.

John Breckinridge Castleman on his horse Carolina

WILLIAM R. GOODWIN'S TRIBUTE.
THE CASTLEMAN EQUESTRIAN STATUE. 

Profound indeed is the esteem which led a city and a state to erect a statue of one of its distinguished citizens while he yet dwelt among men. Such supreme honors are wontedly reserved for the dead. Singularly appropriate is this precedent-breaking man. The unselfish, lavish devotion of General John B. Castleman to the interests of his state and country are written on the imperishable tablets of the hearts of his people. Public service has ever been the animating spirit of his career. Never has a man devoted more of his time and talent, unsparingly, intelligently and effectively, to the service of his city and state than General Castleman, and the results of his labors bless the present and future generations. Had he but served his own interests with half the fidelity with which he has served his fellow citizens, he would have been numbered among the financial captains of the South. The bronze statue, on its eternal granite base, commanding the entrance to beautiful Cherokee Park in Louisville, dedicated in the songs of the school children, the concerted sounds of the players on many instruments, the fanfare of military trumpets, the eulogies of state and city officials, and the plaudits of his fellow citizens, proved that John B. Castleman chose to serve the people, not Mammon.

Flowers at the funeral are so prescribed by conventionality that appreciative words while yet in the flesh seems fairly strange. Small wonder it is that some out of touch with the man and his work marveled that so distinguished an honor should be done him while yet he walked the earth. They had but to feel the thrill of the dedication atmosphere to understand it was an outpouring of the appreciation and love of a people loyally and intelligently served. His most familiar appearance in Louisville, either at the head of the Louisville Legion or pursuant of his labors as president of the Board of Park Commissioners, was on the back of a five-gaited horse. The model selected from a competition to which numerous sculptors contributed was designed by R. Hinton Perry of New York and the statue was erected at a cost of $15,000 by popular subscription from city, state and other commonwealths to General Castleman "as a man, a citizen, a soldier and a true friend." It may be seriously doubted if ere a more life-like presentation of man and horse in bronze has ever been achieved. With infinite pains the artist labored with his equine model, and the sculptor's art has finally been able to ask of horsemen unqualified approval of a bronze presentment of the noblest of man's animate aids. The statue breathes the form, pose and life of man and mare.

General Castleman is known to the live stock world as the foremost advocate of the most beautiful creation of the breeder's art — the American saddle horse. For nearly a quarter of a century as president he has guided the destinies of the American Saddle Horse Breeders' Association, inviting and compelling the attention of the lovers of the pleasure horse to the matchless beauty, finish and service of the saddle horse as developed under the auspices of the association, and has lived to see the complete triumph of the type in America, measured by the prominence, intelligence and wealth of its patrons. Of his civic and military services this journal does not treat, but promising as the fundamental fact of his life, the animating motive of his actions, his high sense of public duty, it can only be said that the Honorable Edward J. McDermott, lieutenant-governor of Kentucky, sketched with altogether adequate eloquence the career of Gen. Castleman with which the people of his state have been familiar since he entered the Confederate service as a mere youth and returned home from the Spanish War with a general's commission, to receive this unprecedented honor from his people in the seventy- second year of his age. His services to the state in times of riot and profound political disturbance, when his diplomacy and decision wrought for peace and tranquility, were fittingly set forth, as were also his courage and his courtliness "A gentleman of the old school," all delighted to term him — rare example in these latter days which possess not the environment which makes for their development.

(source: 'Active Service', John B. Castleman)

The John Breckinridge Castleman Statue, Louisville Times, November 7, 1913

(From the Louisville Times, November 7, 1913.) 

THE CASTLEMAN STATUE. 

Life is very short. Must we then wait until the next generation discerns the proper judgments and rewards? Must all recognitions be tardy? Surely not, and it is the happy realization of that truth that prompted the graceful tribute, which, on Saturday next, is to be paid to General John Breckinridge Castleman.

General Castleman's monument was secure, even though it were never raised — it stood firm in the hearts of his friends and the memories of his fellow- citizens. Fame would still be busy with his name if no visible remembrance existed; but, in bestowing upon him honor and recognition while yet in full enjoyment of a vigorous and useful life, a noble impulse has received its legitimate fulfillment. It has been said that the love of a few faithful ones, the personal devotion of those who know you best, is all that any man deserves; we cannot accept so narrow a view, and we could never understand why those who are censorious and critical throughout all the changing vicissitudes of a man's career should be so generous with flowers when his heart is still and his eyes closed forever.

It is not a little thing that this gallant soldier, this urbane, courtly gentleman, has done for a city and a state that delights to distinguish those who distinguish them; hi these later days we cannot disassociate him from those wonderfully beautiful parks that are his pride and in great measure his 'creation, and, when the history of the nation was being written in the lifeblood of its best and bravest, where shall we find pages more inspiring than those that tell the deeds of this lateborn cavalier, this knight sans peur et sans reproche?

The secret of a man's charm is an elusive and indefinable as the secret of a writer's style; the hold he has on us, the place he fills, the loyalty he arouses — how explain them? General Castleman is a man of the world, the big world; there are few experiences that are foreign to him, no activities in which he takes no interest, no traditions of breeding, of manner, of gallant bearing that do not center in him. It is inconceivable that such a man should sit in the shadow. He could not be commonplace if he would. His character has been touched with bold, broad touches, generously, lavishly even, and he brings with him the sense of a spacious outlook. Geniality is of his essence; children know that he is not un fathomable, and it is peculiarly fitting that the school children for whose welfare he has been so solicitous, so intelligently providing, should join in the exercises of the day. It was a pleasant thought pleasantly carried out. There at the entrance to the park whose beauty is so much his work, will stand, appropriately, an equestrian statue, attracting and arresting attention by the sweep of its lines, the vigor of its pose, the evidence of its truth. For felicity of situation as of design it stands alone among our memorials; it has succeeded in catching something of the irresistible verve of its delightful model — more cannot be asked of any artist; it denies forever and to all men that "the days of our youth are the days of our glory." To have caught this veteran of two wars young and eager has been the happy idea of Mr. Charles F. Grainger; to him and to Mr. Marion Taylor, his industrious colleague, the community owes a debt of very real gratitude.