and, indeed, some of
them spoke it fluently.

"'Sam told me,' one girl was heard to say, 'that he killed nineteen
of them Germans all his own self, but nobody saw him and so he
didn't get that Cross doo Gare.'"

Mustering out commenced at Camp Upton the following day. Thus ended the
service of the 369th. Their deeds are emblazoned on the roll of honor.
Sons and grandsons of slaves, welcomed by the plaudits of the second
largest city in the world. What a record of progress in a trifle over
half a century of freedom. What an augury of promise for the future of
the colored race, and what an augury for the world freedom which they
helped to create, and, overshadowing all else, WHAT an object lesson it
should be to our country at large: east, west, north, south, that, "One
touch of nature makes 'all men' kin." That in her opinion and treatment
of her faithful, loyal black citizens; niggardly, parsimonious, grudging
and half-heartedly, how shameful she has been, how great has been her
sin; forgetting; or uncaring, even as Pharoh of old, that: "God
omnipotent liveth," and that "He is a JUST and a vengeful God!"

New York's welcome to her returning Negro boys was fairly typical of
similar scenes all over the country. Chicago gave a tremendous ovation
to the heroes of the old 8th Infantry. In Washington, Cleveland, and
many other cities were great parades and receptions when theirs came
home. In hundreds of smaller towns and hamlets the demonstrations were
repeated in miniature.

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.

Although American sacrifices in the European War have been great, we
find compensation for them in many directions. Not the least of these is
the vastly increased number of opportunities the reconstruction period
will offer to many of our citizens.

Today the United States is the leading nation of the world in virtually
every line of activity. We have been thrust into a new world leadership
by the war. It behooves us to make the most of our new opportunities. To
equip ourselves creditably we must utilize the best there is in the
manhood and womanhood of our nation, drawing upon the intellect and
ability of every pers