The Denver star., 1917-05-05
LET HISTORY SPEAK OUT
AND AhQW.

We want history to show that the
time has once again come In the WORK
inks OF Almighty Gods providence for
the freed slave along with his sons
and daughters, to dedicate themeelves
to freedom, liberty and Justice. While
M, nav dcdicatiop 10 mot for the free
dom OF . race enslAved ana only now
half free ON our own soil. but dedicat-
ed to the freedom Of all the peoples
eyerywhere. This dedication 10 not
limited to sectional. national boun-
daries, nor racial ties. nor to the con-
fines Of . single continent. nor BY the
shores OF = single hemisphere: 1t en-
braces q dedication to human freedom
for all the world, even to benighted
and backward Africa. Let history show
no towards. kneebenders. straddlers.
nor grinninE shirkers were among
US. and let the world know that while
our president has approved by fed-
eral order segregation In the depart
ments: that tho n strikes at our very
souls and heartbeats Of square deal
and justice. that. we. Negroes OF this
nation, Negroes OF Colorado are be-
hind him and a. firm a. the rocks OF
.novcapped Pixies Peak. and with our
live. we are determined to support
him. as commander-in-chief OF the
army and navy, until every menace to
our nation and the nations OF the
world has been destroyed. Let history
record the fact that here In Colorado.
Negroes OF Colorado wear our nations
colors, applaud Old Glory and rise In
their seats and bare their heads when
our national airs arc being played. FOR
Gods sake, Negroes. catch the spirit,
the hour IL pregnant with too many
future blessings for US.
The volunteer enlistment provision,
inserted In the new army bill. meets
the approval OF all OF Americas biack
citizenry. Black men want universal
compulsory military service or voiun-
teer enlistment. They are opposed 70
the selective draft because they are
assured that in II there is motive OF
tho South to quite largely hx the
military status OF American black men
during this world war.
n would not be very nice for MS
tory to record that black men were
such reasonable and dangerous char
tors in the life OF this nation a. TO
Justify the government In witnho!o'
inc guns from our h,mds, and It 10 the
brave black boys who are rushing TO
the colors now who are going 10 save
the Negro from the ignoniny that the
South hopes to heap upon US wnen
peace shall again come.
Black men want place on the nr'
ing line: we want q gun In our hands,
.nd the volunteer enlistment provision
eives us that chance. OF course II
he war lasts, conscription Is bound
70 come. but under this selective draIt
~ viii be possible. and 1t 10 not un
i,kelv. that most OF the Negroes would
he seiected for maintenance purposes.
In the far South-Georgta. Louisiana
and Nississippi-thousands OF Ne.
~roes would be put to work raising
crons and building fortihcationa on
our coast lines. All Of this we viii pc
,~ti,,nr to do, in addition to shedding
"ur hood on the fring line.
n n TO be regretted that IN srees
r.tionai crisis like this any portion OF
nnr citizenship should have fear tro"
tnternal sources. but we want 70 re. s
.atu onr status a. citizens. When W.
sa.r the south shouting about not
nvtt,ne LIT gums in black folks. HANDS.
md ph then instantly putting their e.s%p T.H
~ approval upon the selective os' 49,
a.. :. ,"pts a. though some one were .rS
~. ~ TO, " AZ Il 10 that history wiz ssy.
nW,. S ~ yere afraid to put gun IN '.s nls
.srd.: We could only trust nim Win
= snsde and = hoe"