to our returning officers to stand examination for commissions in the Regular army; Military experience and knowledge, and general and special educational qualifications to determine the rank or grade received.

“In this way our four colored regiments could be officered by colored men.  Otherwise, the fine talents and desire for service to the country held by the one thousand intelligent and courageous young Negroes who are officers, will be lost and rejected by the country, and the 12 million Negroes in the United States will continue, notwithstanding their patriotism and devotion, to be denied of their just representation in commissions in the regular army.

“We believe that once this is done the sense of fairness and justice that, after all is said and done is so firmly imbedded in the American people, will see to it that our proper and proportionate number of young Colored men are admitted to West Point and Annapolis annually and that the other avenues for gaining admission in the army and navy will not be blocked, closed and denied Negroes by the unreasonable race prejudice which has heretofore done so.

     “Our country is either a country of ‘equal opportunity’ or it is
     not.  It is either a democracy or it is not.

     “Certainly the Negroes have failed to realize this ’equal
     opportunity’ in the matter of training at West Point and Annapolis,
     and is gaining commissions in the Regular army.

“The great war in Europe is closed or soon will be.  We have again shown our country that ‘our hearts are on the right side.’  What will our country do for us?  We ask only that the door of ’equal opportunity’ be unbarred—­that we may enter.”

Said Colonel Charles Young, U.S.A., touching upon the same subject: 

     I affirm that any system of schools saying to students of any race,
     “Thus far shalt thou go and no farther,” is flinging a lie in the
     face of God.

* * * * *

The ability and willingness of the government and its people to fit the Negro into the body politic with all the rights, privileges, and immunities of a full fledged American will be the test before the world which knows and sees the relations and acts of the individuals and states of the United States.

Human equity and a respect for law and truth must be sacred with us; the spirit of America is the square deal and fair play.

* * * * *

This granted as an American principle, the Negro people of the United States demand to know whether the sweeping generalization of lack of leadership and the capacity of the Negro officer was derived by a consultation of the War Department, the press, both white and Negro and the reports of impartial officers.

The black officer feels that there was a prejudgment against him at the outset and that nearly every move that has been made was for the purpose of bolstering up this prejudgment and discrediting him in the eyes of the world and the men whom he was to lead and will lead in the future.