that are fighting for democracy. We make no ordinary sacrifice, but
we make it gladly and willingly with our eyes lifted to the hills."
While many questioned his motive, all accepted his advice.

While the grievance was not forgotten, it was not allowed to jeopardize
the success of the issue to weaken the black man's allegiance. Every
mother's son and father's daughter remained loyal under stress and
strain which would have caused the white man to curse and die.

THE FIELD OF ACTION.

Regiments of Negro stevedores, earlier in the year, had been drafted and
sent overseas. These men were drawn from a specific locality, and did
not represent the entire nation. They were in command of white officers.
They had been destined for the Service of Supply, a service which
America performed so marvelously well that it is difficult to tell, if
not here, where her chief glory lies.

Black stevedores from Alabama, and Louisiana, and Mississippi, Virginia
and the Carolinas, numbering far more than the entire black forces of
the 92nd Division, packed and unpacked the American Expeditionary Force
in a manner never attempted since Noah loaded the Ark. Rear Admiral
Wilson and General McClure cited several regiments for exceptionally
efficient work. The "Leviathan," formerly the German steamship
"Vaterland," was unloaded and coaled, in competition with other white
and black stevedore regiments, by Company A, 301st Stevedores, young
American Negroes, in fifty-six hours, a world record.

What a cheer went up from the black stevedores of the far South when
there landed in their midst a mighty band of black infantry, nearly
100,000 strong who, in a few short months had learned the use of powder
and shot, of sword and broadsword, of bayonet and bludgeon, of trench
knife and battle-ax. Cold steel or blackjack, smooth bore or sawed-off,
machine gun or automatic, were all the same to them. It was a great
experience for stevedore and infantryman. And the stevedore's heart
leaped to his throat as he saw the black officers of the 92nd Division
maneuver and march away the men under their command.

The black stevedore wondered why America had brought him so far under
white officers to behold such a sight. He beheld black quartermasters,
ranking and outranking captains, furnishing their men with provision
and supply. The handling of purveyance and cutlery on a huge scale by
black commissioned officers was a revelation to the black steve