We are the Army Stevedores, and work we must and may,
The cross of honor will never be ours to proudly wear and sway. 
But the men at the front could not be there, and the battles could not be won. 
If the stevedores stopped in their dull routine and left their work undone. 
Somebody has to do this work; be glad that it isn’t you. 
We are the Army Stevedores—­give us our due.

CHAPTER XXVI.

UNSELFISH WORKERS IN THE VINEYARD

Mitigated the horrors of war—­at the front, behind the lines, at home—­Circle for negro war relief—­addressed and praised by Roosevelt—­A notable gathering—­colored Y.M.C.A.  Work—­unsullied record of achievement—­how the “Y” Conducted business—­secretaries all specialists—­negro women in “Y” Work—­valor of A non-combatant.

Negroes in America are justly proud of their contributions to war relief agencies and to the financial and moral side of the war.  The millions of dollars worth of Liberty Bonds and War Savings stamps which they purchased were not only a great aid to the government in prosecuting the war, but have been of distinct benefit to the race in the establishing of savings funds among many who never were thrifty before.  Thousands have been started on the road to prosperity by the business ideas inculcated in that manner.  Their donations to the Red Cross, the Y.M.C.A. and kindred groups were exceptionally generous.

An organization which did an immense amount of good and which was conducted almost entirely by Negro patriots, although they had a number of white people as officers and advisers, was the “Circle for Negro War Relief,” which had its headquarters in New York City.

At a great meeting at Carnegie Hall, November 2, 1918, the Circle was addressed by the late Theodore Roosevelt.  On the platform also as speakers were Emmett J. Scott, Irvin Cobb, Marcel Knecht, French High Commissioner to the United States; Dr. George E. Haynes, Director of Negro Economics, Department of Labor; Mrs. Adah B. Thorns, Superintendent of Nurses at Lincoln hospital, and Dr. W.E.B.  Du Bois, who presided.

Mr. Roosevelt reminded his hearers that when he divided the Nobel Peace Prize money among the war charities he had awarded to the Circle for Negro War Relief a sum equal to those assigned to the Y.M.C.A., the Knights of Columbus, and like organizations.