Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1918-01-19
THE NEGRO WAR AIMS
PLAINLY STATED
(By DR.. Walter S. Buchanan

The year nineteen hundred and sew
enteen leaves n record that we cannot
we'll forget. Tho lights and shadows
arc marked ana abiding. Death has
claimed many OF our good friends.
among others Senator Foraker, Frank
b. Sanborn, Fl. l.. Morehouse, Hollis
Burke Frissell; our own Bishop Wal.
tcrs. John p. Bush, M. w. Gilbert.
and B. II. Hudson. We thank God for
their, labors and we trust Him Tor
their reward. The Atlanta fire, East
st. Louis and Houston baltic in blood
and shame the sinking Of nineteen
and seventeen. But thank God tho
other side OF tho shield Is more beau
tiful to look upon.
During nineteen and seventeen 500
OF our young people have graduated
from college and 5000 from high
school. In tho state Of New York rs,
600 colored women have been given
the ballot Negro has been sent to
tho New York State legislature, and
another put on the Board Of Educa-
ton Of New York City. We have
nearly 1000 black army officers and
Emmett Scott advisor to the Secre.
tary of War! But best Of all, perhaps
ls tho segregation decision handed
down recently by tho Supreme Court
of the United States which declares
1t unconstitutional to segregate citi-
IONS in residential districts based on
race. color, or previous condition of
seryitude
with these good things to look ND
on, we face the year nineteen and
eighteen with greater faith in our
country and with renewed hope in
the ultimate triumph Of Justice.
but with all these things and more
10 reflect upon. tho thought upper
most IN our minds as the New Year
lawns IS tho Great World War and
what VIII come OF 1t. We grew impa-
t1ent with the white people recentlv
because we thought they were not
gong TO let us take part in this war.
out we found later that they were
oniy giving lis a chance to gather our
crops and wind up our business bo.
lore they called our boys to training
camps.
We are glad to fight our countrv,,
patIes. we bear no malice for tho
wrongs we have suffered, and we
want our Chief Executive to know
.n"l al'hough we arc gathered in his
roar ten million strong, with offend.
"a MEXICO at our back and German
cohsp1rators In our midst, we will
ne'er connViVe with our country's
.ooS nor lit treacherous hand. On
s elo contrary we shall fight side by
sluo win our fairer comrades in
Inc very 'front.' limo trenches-where
uullhs inc moment Of our country'e
peril, white soldier and black soldi.
ei,-wlth no thought save that of our
sacred mono and common country
~ ~ was, WASH out all racial animosity In
the blood OF our heroic dead,
we could not do otherwise, for
! rom Court Square in Boston, where
Ciispus Attucks charged the British
crown crown on through Wagner and Fort
Tnlo" TO the block houses of San
o o i1lil' ana even to the recent
"3 death trap ut Carrlzal
where some one blundered" and the
part OF the brave black soldier was
put 10 40 ana dc, we have shown a
strong ana uniform patriotism, which
nust IN time win tho honest and
SH1%l protection Of tho flag we have
oled to save. It must be so,
For right Is right, alnce God Is God
And right the day will win:
10 doubt would be disloyalty,
To falter would DO sim"
! inc leading nations engaged in
TINS war state their war aims from
tlrno to time. England. Russ'a, Ger
| many, the United states.-all have
stated their aims. But each of these
countries Is but larger group com
posed Of smaller Industrial, politi.