universal freedom once sown, finally ripened not alone to the
unshackling of a race, but to the fecundity and birth of a spirit that
moved all nations and peoples to seek an enlarged liberty. The finger of
disintegration and change is never still; is always on the move; always
the old order is passing; always the new, although unseen of man, is
coming on. And so it is, that nations are still in the throes of
reconstruction after the great war. That it was the greatest and most
terrible of all wars, increases the difficulties incident to the
establishment of the new order, precedent to a restoration of tranquil
conditions.

So radical were some of the results of the conflict, such as the
overthrow of despotism in Russia, and a swinging completely to the other
extreme of the pendulum; similar happenings in Germany and Austria
transpiring, that subject peoples in general, finding themselves in
possession of a liberty which they did not expect and were not prepared
for, are in a sense bewildered; put to it, as to just what steps to
take; the wisest course to pursue.

At home we have a nearer view and can begin to see emerging a new
America. The men who fought abroad will be the dominant factor in
national affairs for many years. These men have returned, and will
return with a broadened vision and with new and enlarged ideas regarding
themselves and, quite to be expected, of progress and human rights.

With the leaven of thought which has been working at home, added to the
new and illuminating; more liberal viewpoint regarding the Negro
attained by the American whites who served with him in France, will
come; is already born, a new national judgment and charity of opinion
and treatment, that will not abate; will grow and flourish through the
coming years, a belated sense of justice and restitution due the Negro;
a most wholesome sign of shame and repentance upon the part of the
nation. The old order based on slavery and environment; the handicap of
"previous condition" has passed. Will never return! THAT, or the
"Fatherhood of God and Brotherhood of Man" is, and always was, an
iridescent dream; a barren ideality!

The new America owes much of its life to the Negro; guaranteed through
centuries of a devotion, than which, there has been nothing like it; you
seek in vain for a counterpart; a patriotism and suffering and shed
blood; the splendor and unselfishness of which will germinate and flower
through the ages; as long a