ion of public-spirited emotion toward France--which
overcame all.

The South asked three questions:

First--Shall Negroes and whites of the South both remain in America
while the North conducts the war? Second--Shall Negroes of the South
remain at home while the flower of southern chivalry, drafted for
service, is far away across the sea, annihilated in battle? Third--Shall
white men of the South be left at home while southern Negroes are
drafted and go abroad to do distinguished service? These questions were
resolved into the conclusion that southern Negroes and southern whites
both must be drafted and sent against the German foe. There was no
alternative.

It was altogether becoming and proper that a man whose race has suffered
as the American Negro suffers today, should point the way to this goal
of recognition, honor and equality which the Negro knew but as a
tradition of those days following the Civil War when Grant administered
the affairs of the triumphant party of freedom.

One of those New Yorkers of Hebraic origin, whose Semitic qualities are
of the highest ethical type, made the play for partial equality, for
partial recognition, for partial honor for the Negro. Joel Spingarn
suggested and propagated the idea of a military training camp for
Negroes, where they might receive instruction in all branches of
military service, be commissioned up to the grade of captain and receive
the recognition, honor and equality due to such military rank as they
might qualify for. In addressing Negro America, he said:

"It is of highest importance that the educated colored men of this
country should be given opportunities for leadership. You must
cease to remain in the background in every field of national
activity, and must come forward to assume your right places as
leaders of American life. All of you cannot be leaders, but those
who have the capacity for leadership must be given the opportunity
to test and display it."

Mr. Spingarn never realized what forces he would set in motion by mere
presentation of this proposition. He merely pointed out the gate. The
young Negro brushed aside the opponents among his own race of this
policy of segregation. He disregarded the moral principle which had
actuated the older Negroes of the Interior Department in refusing to
accept segregation, and seized the opportunity to produce some sort of
change and readjustment. He must go up. He could go no