Page:The National Cyclopedia of the Colored Race (1919).djvu/605



EMMETT J. SCOTT, Special Assistant to the Secretary of War, who prepared the article which follows, is by virtue of his commanding position and closeness of view to the incidents and circumstances which are shown herein, most happily situated to give authentic testimony concerning "THE NEGROE'S PART IN WINNING THE WAR."

The office of Special Assistant to the Secretary of War was created because of the recognized importance and weight of the Negro in the National equation, and because of the broad-minded opinion of the Hon. Newton D. Baker. Secretary of War, that the problems growing out of the relations of the 12,000,000 colored people of the country in a period of war, with new conditions and new demands to be met and adjusted, were of sufficient importance to justify the establishment of a special bureau to deal exclusively with their affairs. Seeking the best fitted man of the race in America to handle the delicate and far-reaching questions that must necessarily arise in a crisis that touches the fundamental principles of Government, Secretary Baker placed at his right hand to advise him with reference to the Negro millions, a man, who need ed no introduction to the American people of any race, and whose selection was at once acclaimed by all as the very best that could have been made.

I'or eighteen years Mr. Scott was the Secretary and confidential advisor of the late Booker T. Washington, and he has had intimate contact with the- most influential forces of the nation, white and black. The wide experience thus gained and valuable acquaintanceships formed, coupled with native zeal, wisdom and industry, render him an ideal man for this post of exacting responsibility.

That the office, with its increasing volume of intricate questions and broadening scope of activities is giving excellent service, is convincingly attest ed by the laudatory comments at the hands of the United press of the country, and the warm personal congratulations received by Mr. Scott by telegram, letter and "word of mouth" every day in the year, as well as by the grateful acknowledgments of hundreds of persons in all sections of the land, who have been faithfully and efficiently served through the official channels covered by this Bureau. Ft is a veritable "clearing house" for Negro problems, military and civil, emphasized by reason of the war, and it is universally admitted that the condition of the race has been improved beyond measure since the establishment of this direct point of contact between the Negro and the high officials of the War Department. Mr. Scott has justly earned the commendation of the entire nation by his comprehensive grasp of the vital is sues of the day and wrought out concrete results through his courageous mastery of them in conference, on the platform, and through the public prints.

Secretary Baker is a true friend of the Negro people not as Negroes per se, but as human beings and citizens of the Republic. He is a genuine 100 per cent American and a democrat in the strictest interpretation of those lofty terms and has indicated in a thousand forceful ways that race prejudice has no place in his personal make-up; and he has made it plain that he would brook no color discrimination or the practice of narrow-gauged methods in the administration of his official duties. His high regard for the welfare of the 12,000.000 colored Americans has been demonstrated in a most practical fashion by his organization of the Bureau for the consideration of affairs directly affecting this loyal and productive group of citizens which, under the sympathetic and pain staking supervision of Mr. Scott, has proven its worth to the nation and to all concerned.— (Editor.)

The NEGRO in the present war for LIBERTY AND WORLD-WIDE DEMOCRACY is proving to be a notable and inspiring figure. The Colored American, in common with his brother in White, realizes more and more that this is THE PEOPLE'S WAR, and it is his determination to remain in the fight to the finish. He is cheerfully laying upon the altar of his country's honor every ounce of his manhood strength, his individual influence and the limit of his means to bring VICTORY to the only flag he claims as his own. The Negro is 100 per cent American and rightly regards it as his FIRST DUTY to utilize every resource at his command to aid the nation to win its battle for civilization and justice in this hour of humanity's peril.

THE NEGROE'S "MAN-POWER" IN THE PRESENT CONFLICT.

The Negro now (October, 1918) has in the military establishment of the nation nearly 400,000 men. He entered the war with four regiments to his credit the 9th and 10th Cavalry and the 24th and 25th Infantry of the Regular U. S. Army these regiments embracing about 10,000 men. In the National Guard as it was formerly known