The Colorado statesman. [volume] (Denver, Colo.) 1895-1961, 1919-05-03
Remarks to the Soldiers.


other colored workers.
Remarks to the Soldiers.
Just what did l say to the Negro
troops? | said: The record you have
made in this war, of faithfulness, BRAY
cry and loyalty, has deepened my faith
In YOU as men and as soldiers, as well
as in my race and country. You have
been tremendously tested. You have
suffered hardships and many priva-
tiOns You have been called upon TO
make many sacrifices. Your record
has sent Il thrill of joy and satisfaction
to the hearts of millions of black and
white Americans, rich and poor, high
and low. Black mothers and wives,
SweetheartS. fathers and friends have
rejoiced with you and with our coun-
try in your record.
you will go back to America as
heroes as you really are. You VIII go
back ms you have carried yourselves
over herein straight-forward, man
ly and modest way. If | We're you. l
would find Il job as soon as possible
and get to work. To those who have
not already done so, | would suggest
that you get hold of II piece of land
and IL home as soon as possible, and
marry and settle down. Save your
money, and put it into something
tangible. l hope no one will do any
thing in peace to spoil the magnificent
record you have made in the war"
Appeal to White Soldiers.
In all fairness to those who are vital
ly Interested in some of the questions
which have arisen on account of my
mission to France, l am quoting from
an address which | delivered to white
officers and soldiers mt one place:
These black soldiers, officers and
men, have with you, willingly and
gladly placed their lives ut the dis
poSal of their country, not only to
make the world safe for democracy,
but equally important, to make democ-
racy safe for mankind, black and
white You and they 20 back to Amer
lea as heroes. brave and modest, of
course, but there is IL difference; you
20 back without let or hindrance, with
every opportunity our beloved country
offers open to you. You are the heirs
of all the ages. God has never given
any race more than he has given to
you. The men of my race who return
will have many unnecessary hardships
and limitations, and along many lines.
What wonderful opportunity you
have therefore, and what Il great re,
spOnsibility for you to go back to
America resolved that as far as it is
see that these black men and the
twelve millions of people whom they
represent in our great country, who
have stood so Loyalty by you and
America in peace and in war; shall
have a fair and absolutely equal
chance with every other American
citizen, along every line-this is your
duty and sacred obligation. They ask
only fair play and as loyal American
citizens they should have it,
l cannot conclude without again
mentioning the heroic record of all of
our men in France. especially the Ne
gro officers, who in spite of hardships
and determinations from sources
which should have accorded them
most encouragement, went to into bat
tie with dash. courage and an abso-
lutely mistaken and undisturbed NOR
ale. / do not believe that men of any
other race, under similar trying cir
cumstances. could have retained more
self-possession and made a more glor-
ious record than did our Negro sol
diers, officers and men.