History of the American Negro in the Great World War by William Allison Sweeney (pdf document) free file download at fliiby.com

"The Project Gutenberg eBook of HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN NEGRO IN THE GREAT WORLD WAR by W. ALLISON SWEENEY. The Project Gutenberg EBook of History of the American Negro in the Great World War, by W. Allison Sweeney This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net Title: 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: W. Allison Sweeney Release Date: August 26, 2005 [EBook #16598] Language: English Character set encoding: ASCII *** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK NEGRO IN THE GREAT WORLD WAR *** Produced by Bryan Ness and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net sweeney_0001s 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 THE REBELLION, THE INDIAN WARS ON THE FRONTIER, THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR, AND THE LATE IMBROGLIO WITH MEXICO. BY -1- The Project Gutenberg eBook of HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN NEGRO IN THE GREAT WORLD WAR by W. ALLISON SWEENEY. W. ALLISON SWEENEY CONTRIBUTING EDITOR OF THE CHICAGO DEFENDER. PROFUSELY AND BEAUTIFULLY ILLUSTRATED 1919 THIS HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN NEGRO IN THE GREAT WORLD WAR IS REINFORCED BY THE OFFICIAL RECORDS OF THE WAR DEPARTMENT INCLUDING TRIBUTES FROM FRENCH AND AMERICAN COMMANDERS SPOKEN AND WRITTEN WORDS BY J.E. MORELAND INTERNATIONAL SECRETARY Y.M.C.A. ROBERT SENGSTACKE ABBOTT EDITOR CHICAGO DEFENDER RALPH TYLER EX-THIRD AUDITOR THE NAVY JULIUS ROSENWALD PHILANTHROPIST COLONEL CHARLES YOUNG UNITED STATES ARMY WILLIS O. TYLER MEMBER LOS ANGELES BAR CAPT. R.P. ROOTS VETERAN SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR ***** WITH A COMPLETE SUMMARY OF THE ACTIVITIES OF THE 370th "OLD EIGHTH" IN THE WORLD WAR FROM THE COUNTRY’S CALL TO THE DAY OF ITS MUSTERING OUT BY CAPT. JOHN H. PATTON, ADJUTANT HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN NEGRO IN THE GREAT WORLD WAR CONTENTS Chapter I. SPIRITUAL EMANCIPATION OF NATIONS. THE MARCH OF CIVILIZATION—WORLD SHOCKS TO STIR THE WOULD HEART—FALSE DOCTRINES OF THE HUN—THE IRON HAND CONCEALED—THE WORLD BEGINS TO AWAKEN—GERMAN DESIGNS REVEALED—RUMBLINGS IN ADVANCE OF THE STORM—TRAGEDY THAT HASTENED THE DAY—TOLSTOY’S PROPHECY—VINDICATION OF NEGRO FAITH IN PROMISES OF THE LORD—DAWN OF FREEDOM FOR ALL RACES Chapter II. HANDWRITING ON THE WALL. LIKENED TO BELSHAZZER—THE KAISER’S FEASTS—IN HIS HEART BARBARIC PRIDE OF THE POTENTATES OF OLD—GERMAN MADNESS FOR WAR—INSOLENT DEMANDS—FORTY-EIGHT HOURS TO PREVENT A WORLD WAR—COMMENT OF STATESMEN AND LEADERS—THE WAR -2- The Project Gutenberg eBook of HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN NEGRO IN THE GREAT WORLD WAR by W. ALLISON SWEENEY. STARTS—ITALY BREAKS HER ALLIANCE—GERMANIC POWERS WEIGHED AND FOUND WANTING—SPIRIT WINS OVER MATERIALISM—CIVILIZATION’S LAMP DIMMED BUT NOT DARKENED Chapter III. MILITARISM AND AUTOCRACY DOOMED. GERMANY’S MACHINE—HER SCIENTIFIC ENDEAVOR TO MOLD SOLDIERS—INFLUENCE ON THOUGHT AND LIVES OF THE PEOPLE—MILITARISM IN THE HOME—THE STATUS OF WOMAN—FALSE THEORIES AND FALSE GODS—THE SYSTEM ORDAINED TO PERISH—WAR’S SHOCKS—AMERICA INCLINES TO NEUTRALITY—GERMAN AND FRENCH TREATMENT OF NEUTRALS CONTRASTED—EXPERIENCES OF AMERICANS ABROAD AND ENROUTE HOME—STATUE OF LIBERTY TAKES ON NEW BEAUTY—BLOOD OF NEGRO AND WHITE TO FLOW Chapter IV. AWAKENING OF AMERICA. PRESIDENT CLINGS TO NEUTRALITY—MONROE DOCTRINE AND WASHINGTON’S WARNING—GERMAN CRIMES AND GERMAN VICTORIES—CARDINAL MERCIER’S LETTER—MILITARY OPERATIONS—FIRST SUBMARINE ACTIVITIES—THE LUSITANIA OUTRAGE—EXCHANGE OF NOTES—UNITED STATES AROUSED—ROLE OF PASSIVE ONLOOKER BECOMES IRKSOME—FIRST MODIFICATION OF PRINCIPLES OF WASHINGTON AND MONROE—OUR DESTINY LOOMS Chapter V. HUNS SWEEPING WESTWARD. TOWARD SHORES OF ATLANTIC—SPREAD RUIN AND DEVASTATION—CAPITALS OF CIVILIZATION ALARMED—ACTIVITIES OF SPIES—APOLOGIES AND LIES—GERMAN ARMS WINNING—GAIN TIME TO FORGE NEW WEAPONS—FEW VICTORIES FOR ALLIES—ROUMANIA CRUSHED—INCIDENT OF U-53 Chapter VI. THE HOUR AND THE MAN. A BEACON AMONG THE YEARS—TRYING PERIOD FOR PRESIDENT WILSON—GERMANY CONTINUES DILATORY TACTICS—PEACE EFFORTS FAIL—ALL HONORABLE MEANS EXHAUSTED—PATIENCE CEASES TO BE A VIRTUE—ENEMY ABANDONS ALL SUBTERFUGES—UNRESTRICTED SUBMARINE WARFARE—GERMAN INTRIGUES WITH MEXICO—THE ZIMMERMAN NOTE—AMERICA SEIZES THE SWORD—WAR IS DECLARED—PERSHING GOES ABROAD—FIRST TROOPS SAIL—WAR MEASURES—WAR OPERATIONS Chapter VII. NEGROES RESPOND TO THE CALL. SWIFT AND UNHALTING ARRAY—FEW PERMITTED TO VOLUNTEER—ONLY NATIONAL GUARD ACCEPTED—NO NEW UNITS FORMED—SELECTIVE DRAFT THEIR OPPORTUNITY—PARTIAL DIVISION OF GUARDSMEN—COMPLETE DIVISION OF SELECTIVES—MANY IN TRAINING—ENTER MANY BRANCHES OF SERVICE—NEGRO NURSES AUTHORIZED—NEGRO Y.M.C.A. WORKERS—NEGRO WAR CORRESPONDENT—NEGRO ASSISTANT TO SECRETARY OF WAR—TRAINING CAMP FOR NEGRO OFFICERS FIRST TIME IN ARTILLERY—COMPLETE RACIAL SEGREGATION Chapter VIII. RECRUDESCENCE OF SOUTH’S INTOLERANCE. -3- The Project Gutenberg eBook of HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN NEGRO IN THE GREAT WORLD WAR by W. ALLISON SWEENEY. CONFRONTED BY RACIAL PREJUDICE—SPLENDID ATTITUDE OF NEGRO SHAMED IT—KEPT OUT OF NAVY—ONLY ONE PERCENT OF NAVY PERSONNEL NEGROES—MODIFIED MARINES CONTEMPLATED—FEW HAVE PETTY OFFICERS’ GRADES—SEPARATE SHIPS PROPOSED—NEGRO EFFICIENCY IN NAVY—MATERIAL FOR "BLACK SHIPS"—NAVY OPENS DOOR TO NEGRO MECHANICS Chapter IX. PREVIOUS WARS IN WHICH NEGRO FIGURED. SHOT HEARD AROUND THE WORLD—CRISPUS ATTUCKS—SLAVE LEADS SONS OF FREEDOM—THE BOSTON MASSACRE—ANNIVERSARY KEPT FOR YEARS—WILLIAM NELL, HISTORIAN—3,000 NEGROES IN WASHINGTON’S FORCES—A STIRRING HISTORY—NEGRO WOMAN SOLDIER—BORDER INDIAN WARS—NEGRO HEROES Chapter X. FROM LEXINGTON TO CARRIZAL. NEGRO IN WAR OF 1812—INCIDENT OF THE CHESAPEAKE—BATTLE OF LAKE ERIE—PERRY’S FIGHTERS 10 PERCENT NEGROES—INCIDENT OF THE "GOVERNOR TOMPKINS"—COLONISTS FORM NEGRO REGIMENTS—DEFENDERS OF NEW ORLEANS—ANDREW JACKSON’S TRIBUTE—NEGROES IN MEXICAN AND CIVIL WARS—IN THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR—NEGROES IN THE PHILIPPINES—HEROES OF CARRIZAL—GENERAL BUTLER’S TRIBUTE TO NEGROES—WENDELL PHILLIPS ON TOUSSAINT L’OUVERTURE Chapter XI. HOUR OF HIS NATION’S PERIL. NEGRO’S PATRIOTIC ATTITUDE—SELECTIVE DRAFT IN EFFECT—FEATURES AND RESULTS—BOLD RELIANCE ON FAITH IN PEOPLE—NO COLOR LINE DRAWN—DISTRIBUTION OF REGISTRANTS BY STATES—NEGRO AND WHITE REGISTRATIONS COMPARED—NEGRO PERCENTAGES HIGHER—CLAIMED FEWER EXEMPTIONS—INDUCTIONS BY STATES—BETTER PHYSICALLY THAN WHITES—TABLES, FACTS AND FIGURES Chapter XII. NEGRO SLACKERS AND PACIFISTS UNKNOWN. SUCH WORDS NOT IN HIS VOCABULARY—DESERTIONS EXPLAINED—GENERAL CROWDER EXONERATES NEGRO—NO WILLFUL DELINQUENCY—STRENUOUS EFFORTS TO MEET REGULATIONS—NO "CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS"—NO DRAFT EVADERS OR RESISTERS—NEGRO’S DEVOTION SUBLIME—JUSTIFIES HIS FREEDOM—FORGETS HIS SORROWS—RISES ABOVE HIS WRONGS—TESTIMONY OF LOCAL BOARDS—GERMAN PROPAGANDA WASTED—A NEW AMERICANISM Chapter XIII. ROSTER OF NEGRO OFFICERS. COMMISSIONED AT FORT DES MOINES—ONLY EXCLUSIVE CAMP—MOSTLY FROM CIVILIAN LIFE—NAMES, RANK AND RESIDENCE Chapter XIV. ACROSS DIVIDING SEAS. BLACK THOUSANDS ASSEMBLE—SOLDIERS OF LIBERTY—SEVERING HOME TIES—MAN’S WORK MUST BE DONE—FIRST NEGROES IN FRANCE—MEETING WITH FRENCH COLONIALS—EARLY HISTORY OF 15TH NEW YORK—THEY SAIL AWAY—BECOME FRENCH FIGHTING MEN—HOLD 20 PERCENT OF AMERICAN LINES—TERROR TO GERMANS—ONLY BARRIER BETWEEN BOCHE AND PARIS—IMPERISHABLE RECORD OF NEW YORKERS—TURNING POINT OF WAR NEGRO TRAINING -4- The Project Gutenberg eBook of HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN NEGRO IN THE GREAT WORLD WAR by W. ALLISON SWEENEY. Chapter XV. OVER THERE. HENRY JOHNSON AND NEEDHAM ROBERTS—THE TIGER’S CUBS—NEGRO FIRST TO GET PALM—JOHNSON’S GRAPHIC STORY—SMASHES THE GERMANS—IRVIN COBB’S TRIBUTE—CHRISTIAN AND MOHAMMEDAN NEGROES PALS—VALOR OF 93RD DIVISION—LAUGHTER IN FACE OF DEATH—NEGRO AND POILU HAPPY TOGETHER—BUTTE DE MESNIL—VALIANT AND HUMOROUS ELMER MCCOWIN—WINNING WAR CROSSES—VERDICT OF THE FRENCH—THE NEGRO’S FAITH Chapter XVI. THROUGH HELL AND SUFFERING. COLORED OFFICERS MAKE GOOD—WONDERFUL RECORD OF THE 8TH ILLINOIS—"BLACK DEVILS" WIN DECORATIONS GALORE—TRIBUTE OF FRENCH COMMANDER—HIS FAREWELL TO PRAIRIE FIGHTERS—THEY FOUGHT AFTER WAR WAS OVER—HARD TO STOP THEM—INDIVIDUAL DEEDS OF HEROISM—THEIR DEAD, THEIR WOUNDED AND SUFFERING—A POEM Chapter XVII. NARRATIVE OF AN OFFICER. SPECIAL ARTICLE BY CAPTAIN JOHN H. PATTON, ADJUTANT OF 8TH ILLINOIS—SUMMARIZES OPERATIONS OF THE REGIMENT—FROM FIRST CALL TO MUSTERING OUT—AN EYE-WITNESS ACCOUNT—IN TRAINING CAMPS, AT SEA, IN FRANCE—SERVICE IN ARGONNE FOREST—MANY OTHER ENGAGEMENTS—A THRILLING RECORD—BATTALION OPERATIONS IN DETAIL—SPECIAL MENTION OF COMPANIES AND INDIVIDUALS Chapter XVIII. BLOOD OF BLACK AND WHITE IN ONE RIVULET. LINCOLN’S PROPHETIC WORDS—NEGROES ALONGSIDE BEST SOLDIERS IN THE WORLD—HOLD THEIR OWN—THE 372ND REGIMENT—BRIGADED WITH VETERANS OF THE MARNE—FAMOUS "RED HAND" DIVISION—OCCUPY HILL 304 AT VERDUN—NINE DAYS BATTLE IN "BLOODY ARGONNE"—ADMIRATION OF THE FRENCH—CONSPICUOUS COMPONENTS OF 372ND—CHRONOLOGY OF SERVICE Chapter XIX. COMRADES ON THE MARCH—BROTHERS IN THE SLEEP OF DEATH. POLICY OF SUBSTITUTING WHITE OFFICERS—INJUSTICE TO CAPABLE NEGROES—DISAPPOINTMENT BUT NO OPEN RESENTMENT—SHOWED THEMSELVES SOLDIERS—INTENSER FIGHTING SPIRIT AROUSED—RACE FORGOTTEN IN PERILS OF WAR—BOTH WHITES AND BLACKS GENEROUS—AFFECTION BETWEEN OFFICERS AND MEN—NEGROES PREFERRED DEATH TO CAPTIVITY—OUTSTANDING HEROES OF 371ST AND 372ND—WINNERS OF CROSSES Chapter XX. MID SHOT AND SHELL. IN TRENCH AND VALLEY—THE OPEN PLAIN—ON MOUNTAIN TOP—IN NO MAN’S LAND—TWO CLASSES OF NEGRO SOLDIERS CONSIDERED—TRAINED GUARDSMEN AND SELECTIVES—GALLANT 92ND DIVISION—RACE CAN BE PROUD OF IT—HAD SIX HUNDRED NEGRO OFFICERS—SETS AT REST ALL DOUBTS—OPERATIONS OF THE DIVISION—AT PONT A MOUSSON—GREAT BATTLE OF METZ—SOME REFLECTIONS—CASUALTIES CONSIDERED Chapter XXI. THE LONG, LONG TRAIL. -5- The Project Gutenberg eBook of HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN NEGRO IN THE GREAT WORLD WAR by W. ALLISON SWEENEY. OPERATIONS OF 368TH INFANTRY—NEGROES FROM PENNSYLVANIA, MARYLAND AND SOUTH—IN ARGONNE HELL—DEFEAT IRON CROSS VETERANS—VALIANT PERSONAL EXPLOITS—LIEUTENANT ROBERT CAMPBELL—PRIVATE JOHN BAKER—OPERATIONS OF 367TH INFANTRY—"MOSS’S BUFFALOES"—365TH AND 366TH REGIMENTS—THE GREAT DIVIDE—THEIR SOULS ARE MARCHING ON—PRAISED BY PERSHING—SOME CITATIONS Chapter XXII. GLORY THAT WONT COME OFF. 167TH FIRST NEGRO ARTILLERY BRIGADE—"LIKE VETERANS" SAID PERSHING—FIRST ARTILLERY TO BE MOTORIZED—RECORD BY DATES—SELECTED FOR LORRAINE CAMPAIGN—BEST EDUCATED NEGROES IN AMERICAN FORCES—ALWAYS STOOD BY THEIR GUNS—CHAPLAIN’S ESTIMATE—LEFT SPLENDID IMPRESSION—TESTIMONY OF FRENCH MAYORS—CHRISTIAN BEHAVIOR—SOLDIERLY QUALITIES Chapter XXIII. NOR STORIED URN, NOR MOUNTING SHAFT. GLORY NOT ALL SPECTACULAR—BRAVE FORCES BEHIND THE LINES—325TH FIELD SIGNAL BATTALION—COMPOSED OF YOUNG NEGROES—SEE REAL FIGHTING—SUFFER CASUALTIES—AN EXCITING INCIDENT—COLORED SIGNAL BATTALION A SUCCESS—RALPH TYLER’S STORIES—BURIAL OF NEGRO SOLDIER AT SEA—MORE INCIDENTS OF NEGRO VALOR—A WORD FROM CHARLES M. SCHWAB Chapter XXIV. THOSE WHO NEVER WILL RETURN. A STUDY OF WAR—ITS COMPENSATIONS AND BENEFITS—ITS RAVAGES AND DEBASEMENTS—BURDENS FALL UPON THE WEAK—TOLL OF DISEASE—NEGROES SINGULARLY HEALTHY—NEGROES KILLED IN BATTLE—DEATHS FROM WOUNDS AND OTHER CAUSES—REMARKABLE PHYSICAL STAMINA OF RACE—HOUSEKEEPING IN KHAKI—HEALTHIEST WAR IN HISTORY—INCREASED REGARD FOR MOTHERS—AN IDEAL FOR CHILD MINDS—MORALE AND PROPAGANDA Chapter XXV. QUIET HEROES OF THE BRAWNY ARM. NEGRO STEVEDORE, PIONEER AND LABOR UNITS—SWUNG THE AXE AND TURNED THE WHEEL—THEY WERE INDISPENSABLE—EVERYWHERE IN FRANCE—HEWERS OF WOOD, DRAWERS OF WATER—NUMBERS AND DESIGNATIONS OF UNITS—ACQUIRED SPLENDID REPUTATION—CONTESTS AND AWARDS—PRIDE IN THEIR SERVICE—MEASURED UP TO MILITARY STANDARDS—LESTER WALTON’S APPRECIATION—ELLA WHEELER WILCOX’S POETIC TRIBUTE Chapter XXVI. UNSELFISH WORKERS IN THE VINEYARD. MITIGATED THE HORRORS OF WAR—AT THE FRONT, BEHIND THE LINES, AT HOME—CIRCLE FOR NEGRO WAR RELIEF—ADDRESSED AND PRAISED BY ROOSEVELT—A NOTABLE GATHERING—COLORED Y.M.C.A. WORK—UNSULLIED RECORD OF ACHIEVEMENT—HOW THE "Y" CONDUCTED BUSINESS—SECRETARIES ALL SPECIALISTS—NEGRO WOMEN IN "Y" WORK—VALOR OF A NON-COMBATANT Chapter XXVII. NEGRO IN ARMY PERSONNEL. HIS MECHANICAL ABILITY REQUIRED—SKILLED AT SPECIAL TRADES—VICTORY DEPENDS UPON TECHNICAL WORKERS—VAST RANGE OF OCCUPATION—NEGRO MAKES GOOD SHOWING—PERCENTAGES OF WHITE AND COLORED—FIGURES FOR GENERAL SERVICE -6- The Project Gutenberg eBook of HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN NEGRO IN THE GREAT WORLD WAR by W. ALLISON SWEENEY. Chapter XXVIII. THE KNOCKOUT BLOW. WOODROW WILSON, AN ESTIMATE—HIS PLACE IN HISTORY—LAST TRIO—WASHINGTON, LINCOLN, WILSON—UPHOLDS DECENCY, HUMANITY, LIBERTY—RECAPITULATION OF YEAR 1918—CLOSING INCIDENTS OF WAR Chapter XXIX. HOMECOMING HEROES. NEW YORK GREETS HER OWN—ECSTATIC DAY FOR OLD 15TH—WHITES AND BLACKS DO HONORS—A MONSTER DEMONSTRATION—MANY DIGNITARIES REVIEW TROOPS—PARADE OF MARTIAL POMP—CHEERS, MUSIC, FLOWERS AND FEASTING—"HAYWARD’S SCRAPPING BABIES"—OFFICERS SHARE GLORY—THEN CAME HENRY JOHNSON—SIMILAR SCENES ELSEWHERE Chapter XXX. RECONSTRUCTION AND THE NEGRO. BY JULIUS ROSENWALD, PRESIDENT SEARS, ROEBUCK & CO, AND TRUSTEE OF TUSKEGEE INSTITUTE—A PLEA FOR INDUSTRIAL OPPORTUNITY FOR THE NEGRO—TRIBUTE TO NEGRO AS SOLDIER AND CIVILIAN—DUTY OF WHITES POINTED OUT—BUSINESS LEADER AND PHILANTHROPIST SOUNDS KEYNOTE Chapter XXXI. THE OTHER FELLOW’S BURDEN. AN EMANCIPATION DAY APPEAL FOR JUSTICE—BY W. ALLISON SWEENEY Chapter XXXII. 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? Chapter XXXIII. THE NEW NEGRO AND THE NEW AMERICA. THE OLD ORDER CHANGETH, YIELDING PLACE TO NEW. THROUGH THE ARBITRAMENT OF WAR, BEHOLD A NEW AND BETTER AMERICA! A NEW AND GIRDED NEGRO! "THE WATCHES OF THE NIGHT HAVE PASSED!" "THE WATCHES OF THE DAY BEGIN!" OF GREAT FOREWORD He was a red headed messenger boy and he handed me a letter in a NILE GREEN ENVELOPE, and this is what I read: Dear Mr. Sweeney: When on the 25th of March the last instalment of the MSS of the "History of the American Negro in the Great World War" was returned to us from your hands, bearing the stamp of your approval as to its historic accuracy; the wisdom and fairness of the reflections and recommendations of the corps of compilers -7- The Project Gutenberg eBook of HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN NEGRO IN THE GREAT WORLD WAR by W. ALLISON SWEENEY. placed at your service, giving you full authority to review the result of their labors, your obligation to the publishers ceased. The transaction between us, a purely business one, had in every particular upon your part been complied with. From thenceforward, as far as you were obligated to the publishers, this History; what it is; what it stands for; how it will be rated by the reading masses—should be, and concretely, by your own people you so worthily represent and are today their most fearless and eloquent champion, is, as far as any obligation you may have been under to us, not required of you to say. Nevertheless, regardless of past business relations now at an end, have you not an opinion directly of the finished work? A word to say; the growth of which you have marked from its first instalment to its last? -The Publishers- ***** HAVE I— A word to say? And of this fine book? THE BEST HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN NEGRO IN THE GREAT WORLD WAR, THAT AS YET HAS BEEN WRITTEN OR WILL BE FOR YEARS TO COME? ***** DOES— The rose in bud respond to the wooing breath of the mornings of June? IS— The whistle of robin red breast clearer and more exultant, as its watchful gaze, bearing in its inscrutable depths the mystery of all the centuries; the Omniscience of DIVINITY, discovers a cherry tree bending to— "The green grass" from the weight of its blood red fruit? ***** DOES— The nightingale respond to its mate; caroling its amatory challenge from afar; across brake and dale and glen; beyond a "Dim old forest" the earth bathed in the silver light of the harvest moon! ***** EVEN SO— And for the same reason which the wisest of us cannot explain, that the rose, the robin and nightingale respond to the lure that invites, the zephyrs that caress, I find myself moved to say not only a word—a few, but many, of praise and commendation of this book; the finished work, so graciously and so quickly submitted for my inspection by the publishers. THERE ARE— Books and books; histories and histories, treatise after treatise; covering every realm of speculative investigation; every field of fact and fancy; of inspiration and deed, past and present, that in this 20th century of haste and bustle, of miraculous mechanical equipment, are born daily and die as quickly. But there are also books, that like some men marked before their birth for a place amongst the "Seats of the MIGHTY"; an association with the IMMORTALS, that -8- The Project Gutenberg eBook of HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN NEGRO IN THE GREAT WORLD WAR by W. ALLISON SWEENEY. "Were not born to die." This book seems of that glorious company. ***** IN THE— Spiritualized humanity that broadened the vision and inspired the pens of the devoted corps of writers, responding to my suggestions and oversight in its preparation; the getting together of data and facts, is reflected the incoming of a NEW AND BROADER CHARITY—a stranger in our midst—of glimpse and measurement of the Negro. Beyond the written word of the text, the reader is gripped with a certain FELT but unprinted power of suggestion, a sense of the nation’s crime against him; the Negro, stretching back through the centuries; the shame and humiliation that is at last overtaking it, that has not been born of the "Print Shops" since the sainted LINCOLN went his way, leaving behind him a trail of glory, shining like the sun; in the path of which, freed through the mandate of his great soul, MARCHED FOUR MILLION NEGROES, now swollen to twelve, their story, the saddest epic of the ages, of whom and in behalf of whom their children; the generation now and those to come, this History was collated and arranged. It is an EVANGEL proclaiming to the world, their unsullied patriotism; their rapid fire loyalty, that through all the years of the nation’s life, has never flickered— "Has burned and burned Forever the same", from Lexington to the cactus groves of Mexico; in the slaughter hells of Europe; over fields and upon spots where, in the centuries gone, the legions of Caesar, of Hannibal and Attila, of Charlemagne and Napoleon had fought and bled, and perished! Striding "Breast forward" beneath the Stars and Stripes as this History crowds them on your gaze, through the dust of empires and kingdoms that; before the CHRIST walked the earth; before Chri..."

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