New-York tribune., 1919-01-24
Negro Soldiers Are
Given High Praise
For art i'm War
Tuskesee Official Declares
Returning Fighters Will
Enter Heart and Soul
in Reconstruction Tasks

TUSKEGEE INSTITUTE. Ala. Jan.
ss-The second days session of the
.,nual TuSkegee Negro Conference was
asvoted to discussion of "Problems
connected With the Demobilzation of
Negro Soldiers"
The principal address WAS delivered
hr Dr.. Emmett ]. Scott. secretary of
Tuskegee Normal and Industrial lnsti-
tbte who has been serving in Wash
;ngton since the outbreak of the war as
snscial assistant to the Secretary of
Var. advising in matters affecting the
interest OF negro soldiers and negro
Americans generally.
In discussing the subject "rhe Negro
and the South After the War;" Dr..
Srott sought 10 allay and to disspate
the spirit of unrest and apprehension
which seems TO obtain in the South
with reference to the return to this
section of discharged negro soldiers.
incidentally, he revealed the plan and
uolicv of the War Department to grad
ually demobiize the thousands of
negroes IN the army as rapidly as
suitable civilian employment can be
found for them.
Are Willing TO Help
"The negro soldiers will soon be re-
turning 10 their native land the only
land they have ever known, in defence
of which they nave been willing to
give their lives IN time of war. and in
the reconstruction or which they are
eager to give their best energies in
time Of peace" he said "Thousands
Of them volunteered tor military and
naval service regardless of the selec-
tive service law, and they will return
no less anxious to perform their full
duties as citizens and to live in peace
with their fellow men, asking in return
only the full protection of the law of
their lapd-the guarantee of life. lib
erty and the pursuit of happiness.
"The returning negro soldier will
not be the foul wretch from which to
shrink in terror. or plague from
which to fee in fear, as some seem to
think He viii return both phys cally
and mentally benefited by reason Of his
military training and experience dur
ing the great world war. and. natural
". he will return TO the Southland and
other sections with broader vision
and appreciation Of American citizen
ship. as we'll as with new ideas of
what liberty and freedom 1not licensed
really mean.
Loyalty Is Established
He has clearly shown his eager will
ineness to discharge the duties and re-
sponsbilities Of American citizenship,
and it is devoutly hoped that fair
minded Americans in all parts of the
country viii calmly and justly recog-
nize the fact that he is, therefore, en-
titled to all of the rights and privileges
which the laws Of our country offer to
al IL Of olt
zenship
primarily the negro is the means by
which the people Of the golden South
land are nourished and strengthened
through his diligent efforts to coax out
OF the ground life sustaining food
products According to the last off
cial census. negro farmers in the South
numbered 893,370, constituting ID per
cent Of the total number of farmers of
ell classes in the country as whole,
while IN point of population the negro
the total population of the United
States.
Cites Soldiers Record
"The negro soldiers conduct over
seas has won for him the commenda
ton and gratitude Of the greatest gov
ernments on the face of the earth and,
as homeward he turns his face. his re-
solve for better citizenship is even
more firmly fixed He will not. I am
sure, SEX TO jeopardize or impair the
honor and fame MS race has won IN
this war by anv thoughtless or un
manly word or deed.
"On the contrary, he will be anxious
70 renew and strengthen the friendly
relations that he left behind. confident
that a spirit of justice abides in the
land 10 which he is returning.
Rightly required to be law abiding
himself, ne confidently expects that
law and order will prevail that
lynchings and all forms of mob vio
lencc. which have driven so many of
MS race from the South, will be
stamped out bv duly constituted
authority and that every man. regard
less Of color, who has fought or served
under the Starry Banner, or who has
been loyal 20 that emblem of liberty
and justice. viii be granted that
recognition TO which all true Amer-
cans are entitled. Nearly 100000 gall
ant black soldiers, fruit and flower
or the negro race have helped to
make the world safe for freedom and
democracy; many Of them have fought,
Died and died that their country's
IDEALS might triumph.
Expects Fair Treatment
IF, in tte hour Of her travail and
Danger. the negro has neither faltered
hor failed in pledging his life. his
i@nor. his money, his ALL in defence
o. MS country's safety and honor, sure
y IN the hour Of victory and prosperity
ne "iH not be denied fair treatment
ana tne recompense accorded other sol
oiers, because Of his valuable services
sae answering patriotism. The negro
ssSs the full protection of the law, to
~ ielt unhlndered and unhampered in
aas industrial and commercial pursuits,
DC gwen fair deal and full oppor-
unity to educate his children and to
sofE out his own destiny"