"GENTLEMEN OF THE MINIMUM."
In 1917 during the world war, a num
ber of colored men were called to
meet at Washington, at the sugges
tion of Secretary of War Baker, and
they were asked what they wanted.
The colored men drew up resolutions
stating that they really wanted noth
ing, that's what they said amounted to.
THE APPEAL, the Boston Guardian
and a few other papers, under the
head of "Gentlemen of the Minimum"
criticised their action and stated that
that was the proper time to demand
the abolition of Jimcrowism in the
army and if it was not done at that
time, the future would show that a
great mistake had been made.
Time has proved the truth of the
contentions of THE APPEAL and the
other papers. Jimcrow lines were
rigidly drawn even on the battlefields,
the American colored soldiers were
shamefully treated, but they fought on
and many thousands gave their pre
cious lives to "make the world safe
for democracy."
Now by a strained interpretation
of the new army bill Secretary Baker
practically excludes colored men from
entering the federalized national
guard. Instead of free men they are
to go in as pariahs in "pioneer" seg
regated regiments.
"The gentlemen of the minimum"
ought to hang their heads in shame.
IT MUST NOT BE
The proposition to establish a play
ground for COLORED children St.
Paul is un-American and THE AP
PEAL is opposed to it.
