The Colorado statesman., 1918-05-11

expresses the same democratic idea
with equal force, when he says:
we have done more for democracy
in six months of war than in six years
of peace. our soldiers who come back
from France aren't going to be any
thing but men. For in this war we
are establishing new spirit OF uni
versal equality and brotherhood. Too
long has America been enslaved. too
long has caste been enthroned. Kings
will be relics thrones will be mu-
seums, here and abroad.
No finer tribute has been paid the
Negro soldier than by Col. James A.
Moss, who recently said;
understanding the Negro as l do.
and knowing his responsibilities as a
soldier 1 consider myself fortunate in
having beeen assigned to the COM
mand of a colored regiment. OF my
twenty-three years experience as an
officer I have spent eighteen with
colored troops, having commanded
Negro troops in the Cuban campaign,
and in the Philippine campaign, so that
what | say about the, Negro soldier
my faith, my confidence in htm-ls
based on long experience with him in
garrison and in the field; in peace and
in war | do not hesitate to make the
assertion that if properly trained ana
good q soldier as the word has ever
seen. fThe proper training and in
struction of the Negro soldier is a
simple problem-it merely consists IN
treating him like a man. in a fair and
square way, and i'm developing the
valuable military assets he naturally
possesses in the form of happy dis
position, pride in the uniform, tract
ability and faithfulness. Anyone who
says that the Negro will not fight,
does not, of course, know what he is
talking about.
''The first fight was ever in. the
battle of Ell Caney. Cuba, July /. 1898,
mad / had Negroes killed and wounded ali
around me, 20 per cent of my COM
panay having been killed and wounded
In about ten minutes time, and the
behavior of the men was splendid. At
no time during that, and in subsequent
fights, did my men hesitate. at the
command to advance or falter at the
order to charge. / expect my colOred
regiment to be fully as well drilled, as
well instructed, as well behaved, ana
as good fighters, as any other regi-
ment in the national army. Lest some
might think that what | have to say
about the Negro soldier is only the
fulsome words of a Yankee Negro
phile, let me say that | am native
Louisianian who did not leave the CON
fines of the state until went to West
The Point of View of Public Men.
We have had no finer Interpretation
from our own President Wilson, and
the appointment of Mr.. Emmett j.
Scott, secretary of Tuskegee Institute,
as special assistant to the secretary
of war, is evidence of "A growing faith
in the Negro race and in its capacity
for citizenship. Secretary Baker. in in
Branch of the National Security
League, said of democracy:
After all. what is this thing we can
catch phrase or abstraction. 1t is
demonstrating too much vitality for
that 1t is no social distinction or
privilege of the few. for Were 1t that.
1t could not win the hearts of peoples
establishment. But it is, It seems to
me. a hope as wide as the human race,
involving men everywhere-a hope
which permits each of us to look for
ward to a time when not only we, but
others, will have respective rights
founded in the, generosity of nature,
and protected by system of Justice
which will adjust its apparent con,
flicts. Under such hope nations viii
do Justice to nations. and men to men.
Negro Troops In the French Army.
When one talks face to face with
such man as Col. IL. NJ. House as
well as other men, newspaper editors
southern and northern. as well as GER
tain French officials, as has been my
honor and pleasure to do during the
past few months; when one remembers
that France called to her aid her black
troops from Senegal as well as her
and when we remember how France
has treated these men, not as black
men. but as soldiers and patriots who
gladly placed their lives at the service
of their country. permitting them to
have equal share in the blessings and
privileges of French democracy in pro-
portion as they have measured up to
democracy's requirements. the Negroes
of America feel that the world is going
to be made safe for democracy. When
through the discipline which it is now
undergoing. it is stripped of arrogance,
selfishness, and greed, and when those
who arrogate to themselves the max
ing and execution of the laws, feel. as
they ultimately must. that II is their
patriotic duty and sacred obligation to
see that the humblest citizen is given
every privilege to live and to serve
that is granted every other citizen
within the limits of the law. then we
shall have n real democracy in Amer
lea. We cannot believe these sincere
exponents of world democracy mean
that the Negroes, twelve million nav
perhaps in this country. should not be
given an equal chance to live, 70 work
to secure any education. and toeride on
public conveyances without embar-
rassment and under conditions equal in
comfort and safety to that enjoyed by
any citizen.
Equality of Opportunity.
War is teaching us that We are in
seperably linked together here in
America. Races. creeds colors. and
classes all have their interests inter-