resentation in commissions in the regular
army.

"We believe that once this is done the sense of fairness and
justice that, after all is said and done is so firmly imbedded in
the American people, will see to it that our proper and
proportionate number of young Colored men are admitted to West
Point and Annapolis annually and that the other avenues for gaining
admission in the army and navy will not be blocked, closed and
denied Negroes by the unreasonable race prejudice which has
heretofore done so.

"Our country is either a country of 'equal opportunity' or it is
not. It is either a democracy or it is not.

"Certainly the Negroes have failed to realize this 'equal
opportunity' in the matter of training at West Point and Annapolis,
and is gaining commissions in the Regular army.

"The great war in Europe is closed or soon will be. We have again
shown our country that 'our hearts are on the right side.' What
will our country do for us? We ask only that the door of 'equal
opportunity' be unbarred--that we may enter."

Said Colonel Charles Young, U.S.A., touching upon the same subject:

I affirm that any system of schools saying to students of any race,
"Thus far shalt thou go and no farther," is flinging a lie in the
face of God.

* * * * *

The ability and willingness of the government and its people to fit the
Negro into the body politic with all the rights, privileges, and
immunities of a full fledged American will be the test before the world
which knows and sees the relations and acts of the individuals and
states of the United States.

Human equity and a respect for law and truth must be sacred with us; the
spirit of America is the square deal and fair play.

* * * * *

This granted as an American principle, the Negro people of the United
States demand to know whether the sweeping generalization of lack of
leadership and the capacity of the Negro officer was derived by a
consultation of the War Department, the press, both white and Negro and
the reports of IMPARTIAL officers.

The black officer feels that there was a prejudgment against him at the
outset and that nearly every move that has been made was for the purpose
of bolstering up this prejudgment and discrediting him in the eyes of
the world and the men whom he was to lead and w