“In 1917 there were two first lieutenants; and (then) Major Charles Young in the regular army.  Hence only two officers of the line and only one of the staff (other than Chaplains), out of more than two hundred who found places with the four colored regiments.

“We need not stop for the reasons why Negroes have not been attending West Point, nor even admitted there for the past 32 years.  Certain it is they have not been attending the nation’s great military school, and certain it is that in law, good conscience and right, one cadet at West Point in every twelve should be a Negro.

“The future lies before us.  The four regiments of Colored Troops have vindicated their right to be maintained as such by having made for the army some of its finest traditions.  Why not have the four colored regiments officered by colored men from the Colonel down to the second lieutenants?

“The United States is just making an end to a glorious participation in the great world’s war.  In this war the Negro soldiers played well their part.  They laughed in the face of death on the firing line; they have been awarded the ‘Ribbon’ and the Croix de Guerre—­with palms.  Who were their officers?

“From the officers training camp at Fort Des Moines, Iowa, 639 colored men were commissioned.  Since then 267 more have been commissioned, not counting those in Medical Reserve Corps, nor the 41 Chaplains.  Colored Captains and Lieutenants led colored soldiers “Over the Top” and commanded them on march and in trench.  Many officers were given but three months in the officer’s Training camp; many of them had served as non-commissioned officers in one of the four colored regiments.  But not one word of criticism or complaint of them has reached us.  Their adaptability to their new duties is beyond cavil.  Their efficiency, bravery—­leadership, are all unquestioned and permanently established.

“The future lies before us.  What will our country do?  Surely it will not retire all of these fine young colored officers, who responded so nobly to the call of their country, to private life and continue the discrimination which in the past deprived them of admission to West Point and of commissions in the regular army.  I do not believe it.  I believe that the sense of justice and fair play is deeply rooted in the American people.  I believe that our four colored regiments in the regular army will in the future be officered by colored men.  That the doors of West Point will be opened in accordance with justice and fair play to a proper number and proportion of colored Cadets.  But this is not all nor is it enough.

“We believe that at present the nation owes the Colored people certain legislation and that the nation being solvent and loud in its protestations of kindness toward the Colored people for their loyal and patriotic participation in