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History of the American Negro in the Great World War: His Splendid Record in the Battle Zones of Europe; Including a Resume of His Past Services to his Country in the Wars of the Revolution, of 1812, the War of Rebellion, the Indian Wars on the Frontier, the Spanish-American War, and the Late Imbroglio With MexicoSweeney, William Allison

History

History of the American Negro in the Great World War: His Splendid Record in the Battle Zones of Europe; Including a Resume of His Past Services to his Country in the Wars of the Revolution, of 1812, the War of Rebellion, the Indian Wars on the Frontier, the Spanish-American War, and the Late Imbroglio With Mexico

Name: History of the American Negro in the Great World War: His Splendid Record in the Battle Zones of Europe; Including a Resume of His Past Services to his Country in the Wars of the Revolution, of 1812, the War of Rebellion, the Indian Wars on the Frontier, the Spanish-American War, and the Late Imbroglio With Mexico
Author: Sweeney, William Allison

Sweeney, William Allison

African American soldiers; African Americans -- History -- 1877-1964; World War, 1914-1918 -- Participation, African American

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."

Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.