AN INTERPOLATION.
HELD BY DISTINGUISHED THINKERS AND WRITERS, THAT THE NEGRO SOLDIER
SHOULD BE GIVEN A CHANCE FOR PROMOTION AS WELL AS A CHANCE TO DIE--WHY
WHITE OFFICERS OVER NEGRO SOLDIERS?
Ever since the conclusion of the conflict of '61-'65, in which Negro
troops numbered by thousands, took an active part upon behalf of the
Union, there has been a growing and insistent wonder in the minds of
many, why, given a chance to die in the military service of the nation,
they should not also at the same time be given a chance for promotion.
Subsequent affairs engaged in by the government requiring the
intervention of its military arm, the Spanish-American war, the
Philippines investiture incident thereto, the Mexican disagreement, the
whole crowned by the stupendous World War; its frightful devastation and
din yet fresh to our sight, still filling our ears, as it will for
years; in all of which they have contributed their share of loyalty and
blood--of LIVES!--have but added to, strengthened the wonder mentioned.
Up to the beginning of the European muddle it was discussed if at all,
not so much as a condition demanding uncensored condemnation, as one to
continue to be patient with, trusting to time and an awakened sense of
fair play upon the part of the nation at large to note the custom
complained of, and banish the irritation by abolishing the cause.
However, there has not been lacking those who have spoken out, who have
raised their voices in protest against what they deemed an injustice to
the loyal "fighting men" of their race, and so feeling, have not
hesitated to make their plea to those above empowered to listen,
regardless of the mood in which they did so.
As long ago as the summer of 1915, or to be exact, August 26th of that
year, Capt. R.P. Roots of Seattle, Washington, addressed a letter to
the Hon. Lindley M. Garrison at Washington, at the time Secretary of
War, directing his attention to the discrepancy of assignment complained
of, accompanied with certain suggestions; having to do with a condition
that the government must eventually face; that will not down, and must
sooner or later be abrogated. Captain Roots' communication to the
Secretary of War, also one addressed to the Hon. Joseph Tumulty, private
secretary to President Wilson, follows:
"Seattle, Wash., August 26, 1915.
"Hon. Lindley M. Garrison, Secretary of War,
Dear Sir: As an ex-officer of the Spanish-American war, having served as
Captain of Company "E" of the Eighth Illinois Volunteers, I am taking
the liberty to ask that, if you should recommend any increase in the
Army you give the Negro a chance in the manner, and for reasons I shall
further explain.
You will notice by my service with the 8th Illinois that I am a
colored man, and as such am offering these suggestions, which, in the
main, are just.
If the increase is sufficient, we should have:
TWO COAST ARTILLERY COMPANIES.
ONE REGIMENT OF FIELD ARTILLERY (In these branches we are not
represented at all).
ONE REGIMENT OF CAVALRY.
The above to be embodied in the Regular Army and to be officered as
you think fit.
But my main object is: Three Regiments of Infantry officered from
COLONEL DOWN WITH COLORED MEN. I should not have these Infantry
Regiments of the regular service for the reason that to appoint officers
to the rank of Colonel, Majors, etc., would not be fair to the regular
service officers, and would interfere with the promotion of the same,
but I would have them rank as volunteers. Give them the name of
"IMMUNES," "FOREIGN SERVICE REGIMENTS," or any other name that you
choose.
My further reasons are as to officering these regiments, that there
would be many misfits in such organizations and I would leave it so that
you or the President could remove them without prejudice from the
service, but to fill by OTHER COLORED MEN the vacancies that might
occur. I should officer these regiments with Spanish War veterans,
non-commissioned officers of the retired and regulars, but should
appoint all 2d Lieutenants from the schools of the country giving
military training.
The 2d Lieutenants upon passing the regular army examination could be
placed in the eligible list of the regular army, but NOT until at least
two years' service with these regiments. You could set a time limit on
these regiments if you so desire, say ten or twelve years duration;
either mustered out or in the regular service.
"Now Mr. Secretary, I have striven to meet any objections which might be
made by the Army on account of social prejudice, etc. With this thought
I should send these regiments to some foreign post to serve where there
are dark races; to the Philippines, Mexico, or Haiti. The object lesson
would be marked politically, both at home and abroad.
"The 48th and 49th Regiments organized in 1899 and sent to Philippines
were unsatisfactory because of there being three social lines of
separation in those organizations--THE FIELD AND STAFF of these
regiments WERE WHITE, and the LINE OFFICERS WERE COLORED. In a social
way the line officers WERE ENTIRELY IGNORED, and even officially were
treated very little better than enlisted men or with no more courtesy,
to such an extent as to cause comment by both soldiers and natives.
"Now as to the colored citizen of this country coming to its defense
there is no question, as he has always done so But, to use a late
phrase, he is beginning to want HIS "PLACE IN THE SUN"--he wants a
chance to rise on his merits AND TO KNOW WHEN HE SHOULDERS A GUN, THAT
IF HE IS DESERVING OF IT, HE WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO RISE. He can fight
and will, but will fight better with an incentive than without one. He
is a, citizen regardless of all laws to the contrary; also he is the NEW
Negro, and NOT of the "Uncle Tom" class, the passing of whom so many
white citizens regret.
"He reads your literature, attends your theaters, goes to your schools,
observes you in his capacity as a waiter or porter, and is absorbing the
best you have in the ways of civilization, and in fact, in every walk of
life, he is a factor; and when he is asked to defend his country should
he not be given THE SAME CHANCE AS THE WHITE MAN?
"You will say that he should go to West Point. Well and good; but who is
to send him? Next, who will defend him while there against the
"Unwritten Law" of the white students not to allow him to matriculate?
"The first officers of such regiments could be easily picked, made from
Spanish War veterans and non-commissioned officers of the regular army,
and second lieutenants from graduates from colleges giving military
training. Such an organization officered in this manner would be ideal,
speaking from my experience as a veteran of the Spanish War.
"One thing you may have overlooked: We are twelve million in this
country, WITH AN ESTIMATE OF A MILLION MEN FIT FOR SERVICE.
"Suppose at such a crisis as is now transpiring in Europe, this country,
with its millions of foreign citizens, should suddenly find itself face
to face with a revolution. The presence and loyalty of these MILLION
NEGROES might mean much for the stability of this government.
"I have spoken plainly because I am a citizen; this is my country. I was
born here, and shall at all times be found with the flag; hence I ask,
that in your recommendations, looking to the betterment and enlargement
of the army, you give THE BLACK PATRIOT such consideration, as I cannot
but feel is due him, the thousands of young colored men who have passed
through colleges and schools in an effort to prepare themselves for
filling a place in the world.
"I am opposed to segregation, but as it seems, under the present
conditions of the races socially to be the ONLY way to a square deal, I
accept it. There are Irish regiments, German regiments, etc., let us
then have Negro regiments. The coming generations will look after the
rest. I am, very respectfully,
R.P. ROOTS
400 26th Ave., North, Late Capt. 8th Ill. Vol. Infantry."
"Seattle, Wash., Nov. 9, 1915.
"Hon Joseph Tumulty, Secretary to the President, Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:--I am enclosing a copy of a letter sent to the Secretary of
War, which I would be very much pleased to have you call the President's
attention to, and ask if he can approve of it.
"I was not fully informed as to the President's policy in regard to
Haiti at the time of writing, and am not now, except through such
information as received by the daily press. Taking that, in the main as
authentic, I wish to add that I think a Brigade of Colored Troops, such
as recommended in my letter to the Secretary for foreign service, would
be the proper thing for Haiti.
"It being a Negro Republic, the racial feeling as to the Negro's
treatment in this country, which I need not mention, has been enlarged
upon and not understood by the Negroes of other parts of the world, so
that as it seems to me, to organize a constabulary officered by white
Americans, would be inviting murder; for agitators from other
governments, if they so desired, would soon cause a rebellion, and then
you would have it all to do over again.
"Colored troops from this country, I mean officers as well, would tend
to cause a good feeling among the natives, not at first but later on as
each became used to the other. THE WHITE MAN THINKS HE IS SUPERIOR TO
ANY NEGRO, AND WOULD SHOW IT EVEN THOUGH HE TRIED NOT TO, and the
Haitian would be going around with a chip on his shoulder looking for
someone to knock it off.
"You have three men in the regular army who could supervise the
organization of these troops, and one who is already a Colonel of the
Eighth Illinois National Guard, also several others if you wished to
consider them.
"Hoping that you will see the advisability of such an organization for
diplomatic reasons and for JUSTICE TO THE AMERICAN NEGRO--who has been
loyal--and served from Bunker Hill until now, I am,
Very respectfully,
R.P. ROOTS,
400 26th St. N. Seattle, Wash., Late Capt. Eighth Illinois Volunteer
Infantry during Spanish War."
As touching upon the above, Editor E.S. Abbott of THE CHICAGO DEFENDER,
made the following comment:
"There may be reasons deemed good and sufficient upon the part of
President Wilson and Secretary Garrison for not having replied to
the very courteous and finely conceived letters of appeal and
suggestion, having to do with a new deal--with justice and fair
play in the future towards the Negro soldiery of our country,
written them some weeks ago by CAPT. R.P. ROOTS of Seattle.
"It is not always meet, especially in times like these, of war and
stress, of worries and apprehension, reaching across the world, for
our rulers and servants facing great responsibilities and
perplexing situations, to respond to every query and satisfy all
curiosities. Much reticence must be permitted them. Much accepted,
as a matter of course, without pursuing curiosity to the limit.
"There may be ideas conveyed by Captain Roots to the president,
through his communications to Secretaries Garrison and Tumulty that
some people may not agree with, but there can be no disagreement
over the proposition that the lot of colored soldiers in the armies
of the United States--in the past, and at the present, is much
different than that accorded to white soldiers; very little to
really be proud of; very, very much to be ashamed of--much that is
humiliating and depressing.
"Because the present administration may be powerless in the matter,
afraid to touch it, fearing a live wire or something of that kind,
should OUR duty in the premises, TOWARD OUR OWN, be influenced
thereby?
"I wonder--is the time not NOW--right now, to commence an attack
upon this intrenched scandal--this dirty, HUMILIATING AMERICANISM?
"No other nation on earth, Christian or pagan, treats its
defenders, its soldiery, so meanly, so shabbily, as does this, her
black defenders; but whether the nation is more to blame, than we,
who so long have submitted without a murmur, is a question. 'The
trouble' shouted Cassius to Brutus, 'is not in our stars, that we
are Underlings, BUT IN OURSELVES.'
"Shall we, responding to the initiative furnished by CAPTAIN ROOTS,
commence an organized assault upon this national vice against the
soldiers of our race? Is this the time, readers of The Defender? Is
this the time, brothers and editors of the contemporary press?
R.S. ABBOTT."
Following in the footsteps of Captain Roots; apparently obsessed by the
same vision and spirit, Mr. Willis O. Tyler, eminent Los Angeles race
representative, attorney and Harvard graduate, also makes a plea for
justice for Negro troops in the regular army, also for Negro officers,
and proposes reforms and legislation for utilizing the present force of
Negro officers, and creating enlarged opportunities for others. Says
Mr. Tyler:
"Officers in the regular army for the most part, are graduates of
West Point. They are commissioned second lieutenants at graduation.
No Negro has graduated from West Point in the past twenty-nine
years, and none has entered there in 32 years. Col. Charles Young
graduated in 1889, twenty-nine years ago,--he entered in 1884.
Henry W. Holloway entered in 1886, but attended only that year. In
all, only twelve Negroes have ever attended West Point and only
three have graduated. Of the three graduates, the first, Henry O.
Flipper (1877) was afterwards discharged.
"The second, John H. Alexander (1887) died in 1894. The third and
last graduate, Charles Young (1889) has but recently been returned
to active duty. We understand he has attained the rank of Colonel.
The Negroes of the United States, to the number of twelve millions,
have only one West Point graduate in the regular army. There are
however four regiments of Colored troops, two of infantry, and two
of cavalry, and these have been maintained for 52 years, (since
1866), and more than two hundred officers find places in the four
Colored regiments. These two hundred officers, with about three
exceptions are white officers. In all, only twelve Negroes have
held commissions in the regular army. Of this number seven were
Chaplains and two were paymasters.
"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 the war both at home and on
the battlefield, should now pay its debt toward the colored people
and reward them to the extent that the best of the nearly one
thousand officers now serving in the National Army be transferred
to the Regular army, and assigned to duty in the four Colored
regiments, and that these be from colonel down to second
lieutenants. We also believe that in the future West Point and
Annapolis should 'lend a little colour' to their graduation
exercises in the presence of Colored graduates.
"No doubt legislation will be needed to this end. At present
commissions are granted first to the graduates of West Point, and
even a fair and more liberal policy in this regard in the future
will not meet present needs. What is needed now is legislation
providing for the transfer (or at least the opportunity to enter)
into the regular army of a sufficient number of our Colored
Officers now with commissions to officer in toto the four Colored
regiments we now have.
"Commissions are also granted at present to a limited number of
enlisted men who are recommended for these examinations, and who
succeed in passing. The candidates must be under 27 years of age
and unmarried. They must have had a certain amount of secondary
school, or college education which few privates or non com's
(colored) have had. This is the case because few young Colored men
with the necessary growth 'single blessedness,' and college
training, feel, or have heretofore felt that the door of 'equal
opportunity' announced by Mr. Roosevelt stands open to them in the
regular army. To trust the officering of four Colored Regiments to
this second mode of selecting and commissioning officers, would
prove fatal to our hopes and fail of accomplishment.
"The third method of selecting officers at present is by
examinations of civilians, certain college presidents and other
civilians being permitted to recommend certain civilians, (students
and others) for examination for second lieutenants.
"In this regard Negroes have met the same difficulties that they
have encountered in the past 32 years in their efforts to gain
admission to West Point. At best only a small percent of each
year's graduating class from West Point can get commissions in this
manner. Those selected have been white men, what we are after now
is a present day, practical way of utilizing the best material we
now have, holding commissions and making secure the opportunity for
other Colored men to enter the army as second lieutenants and by
dint of industry, close application, obedience, brains and time
gain their promotion step by step, just as white men have been
doing and can do now. This is the American--democratic, fair play,
reward and justice we seek for the twelve million Negro citizens of
our great republic. Congress could if it would, provide for the
present by an appropriate measure giving the right and opportunity
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.
* * * * *
Remembering the multitude of the Croix de Guerre and citations on the
breasts of the returning Negro officers and the Distinguished Service
Crosses to boot, the Negro officer is smiling, not discouraged with
himself and is still carrying on for the flag, the country where he was
born and where the bones of his fathers are buried, and for the uplift
and leadership of his people for a more glorious Americanism.
History tells us that on the continent of America that Toussaint
L'Ouverture, who with a leadership that no man ever surpassed and who
routed the best troops of Napoleon Bonaparte, was a pure Negro and a
slave until after fifty years old.
Major Martin R. Delaney was a pure Negro, and many others that can be
mentioned were pure Negroes.
Ex-parte judgments will not go in the future history, for the black man
will not only act his history but he will write it, and be it said that
he knows history methods, and that with him they are not those which
come from the heat of prejudice and a direct and concerted attempt to
discredit any group of American people.
Unpatriotic and unwarranted statements do no good and lull the country
to sleep, and throw it off its guard while the effects of these
statements are causing just rankling in the breasts of the Negro people
who have had a New Vision.
The Negro officers know the psychology of their own race and also of the
white race; but it is to be feared the latter will never know the mind
and motive forces of the Negro, if he imagines that his group has not
had a new birth in America, whose language it speaks, whose thought it
thinks for its own betterment, and whose ideals, both social, political,
and economic it emulates.