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."