ange. The kind of recognition, the kind of honor and the
kind of equality which they desired had taken definite shape in their
minds.

The American Agricultural Department, it would appear, should be made up
of a large percentage of Negroes. The Negro was essentially an
agriculturist before he came to America. He was brought to Virginia for
the specific purpose of engaging in agriculture. His development of
agricultural conferences in the South in recent years has been a great
source of production. The Negro wanted change because this department
employed messengers and clerks, but demonstrators seldom, if ever, of
his color. Agricultural strategy in 1914 might well have been exonerated
if it had employed Negro chief demonstrators and engaged them in
interstate contest for quantity production. In one Southern State the
Negro operates the greater agricultural area. In another he will operate
the greater portion of such districts at an early date. In still another
many of the communities of large Negro population have hardly had a
white foot set upon them in two decades. The Negroes of these three
states could have furnished surplus food for any nation of the allies,
but a Negro might receive honor if put in charge of their development at
the proper salary and with full authority to act. In 1914, this honor
must not be.

In the American Department of Commerce the masters of barter and
exchange are exhibited. America seeks to develop the man who can strike
a bargain and outbid his competitors. The Negro wanted change because,
since the invention of salesmanship he has been declared out of the
scope of this department. His social status prevents him from making the
proper sales approach. The Negro of 1914 came to this department only as
a depositor of funds, or as a beggar for charity. He was not seriously
regarded.

Lastly, in the American Department of Labor, the Negro wanted change
because he was regarded in 1914 as the man requiring a boss of another
color. He was not regarded as a master mechanic, manufacturer, artist or
journeyman, unless the labor union, to which he was ineligible, so
regarded him.

In these many ways, by capital and labor, by state and national
government, in every department, had the Negro of 1914 been reduced to
the state of man without honor in his own country. If war be change,
however explosive in form, in 1914 the Negro wanted the world war to
come to America from whatever angle that promi