The following is the testimony of the Honorable Newton D. Baker, Secretary of War, to the loyal and enthusiastic support of colored civilians and the part played by colored soldiers in the war:

In a most encouraging degree, it is being regarded by colored civilians throughout the country, as a privilege and as a duty to give liberally of their substance, of their time, of their talents, of their energy, of their influence, and in every way possible, to contribute toward the comfort and success of our fighting units and those of our allies across the seas.

The colored men, who were subject to draft, are to be commended upon their promptness and eagerness in registering their names for service in the National Army, and likewise mention is made of the relatively low percentage of exemption claims filed by them. Those in the service of their country proved faithful and efficient, and will uphold the traditions of their race.

I want the soldier who did not go over seas to know that he is as much a soldier as though he had taken part in the more spectacular side. I want to insist that the men who were in training in this country are just as much a part of the Army of the United States as if they had gone.

Now, I want to impress this upon you men, that if you feel that things have not been as you would like them---if there have been some things which you think were not as they should have been, you must try to forget them and go back to civil life with the determination to do your part to make the country what it should be.

After all, what is this thing we call "DEMOCRACY" and about which we hear so much nowadays? Surely it no catch-phrase or abstraction. It is demonstrating too much vitality for that. It is no social distinction or privilege of the few, for were it that, it could not win the hearts of peoples and make them willing to die for its establishment. But it is, it seems to me, a hope as wide as the human race, involving men everywhere---a hope that permits each of us to look forward to a time when not only we, but others, will have our respective rights, founded on the generosity of Nature, and protected by a system of justice which will adjust its apparent conflicts. Under such a hope nations will do justice to nations, and men to men. Nor can I believe that this democracy will be attained as a finished and complete thing, but rather with increased education and knowledge its application will enlarge and new meanings be discovered in it. It is not the philosophy of disorder, but of progressive order, not the doctrine of restraint by force, but rather of self-restraint imposed by men who realize that one's own freedom is safest when that of others is equally safe.

NEWTON D. BAKER