ompetence, and thus become better citizens.

It is my belief that the Negro soldier returning from France will be a
better citizen than when he left. He will be benefited mentally and
physically by his military training and experience. He will have a
broader vision. He will appreciate American citizenship. He will know, I
believe, that freedom, for which he risked his life and all, is not
license. He will find his brothers at home who did not go overseas
better for their war sacrifices. Both the soldier and the civilian have
proved their devoted loyalty. Justice demands that they now be rewarded
with an equal chance with the white man to climb as high in the
industrial and professional world as their individual capacity warrants.

[Illustration: HOMECOMING HEROES OF 8TH ILLINOIS (370TH INFANTRY).
FAMOUS NEGRO FIGHTERS MARCHING IN MICHIGAN BOULEVARD. CHICAGO]

CHAPTER XXXI.

THE OTHER FELLOW'S BURDEN.

An Emancipation Day Appeal for Justice.

By W. Allison Sweeney.

Publisher's Note: At our request, Mr. Sweeney consented to the
reproduction of this poem, which with the accompanying letter from
the late Dr. Booker T. Washington, and the comment by the Chicago
Daily News, appeared in that newspaper just prior to New Years Day,
1914. We regard it as a powerful argument, affecting the Negro's
past condition and his interests.

"President Lincoln signed the emancipation proclamation Sept. 22, 1862.
It went into effect at the beginning of January, 1863. New Year's day
has thus become 'Emancipation day' to the colored people of the United
States and to all members of the white race who realize the great
significance of Lincoln's act of striking off the shackles of an
enslaved race. Services on that day combine honor to Lincoln with
appeals to the people of Lincoln's nation to grant justice to the Negro.
A remarkable appeal of this sort is embodied in the poem here presented.

"W. Allison Sweeney, author of "The Other Fellow's Burden" is well known
among his people as writer, editor and lecturer. His poem, which
sketches with powerful strokes the lamentable history of the colored
race in America and tells of their worthy achievements in the face of
discouragements, deserves a thoughtful reading by all persons. Of this
poem and its author Dr. Booker T. Washington writes as follows:

"TUSKEGEE INSTITUTE, ALA., Dec. 24, 1913.--To the Editor of the Chicago
Daily News: I have read wi