The Lincoln County herald., 1870-06-02
The West Point Negro Cadet.

WEST POINT, May, 20, lS1O.-West
Point snd the entire National Academy
wore almost breathless with excitcmeo,
yesterday. Th, son of n colorcd Amer
lean citizen arrived hero 10 his new role
Of military cadet. ghers had been ru
nors that negro boys had been appointed
to the National Acadamy, but the abso
lutte arrival OF an African0 comm ision in
hand, is too much for West Point human
nature to endure. Aris:ocratie profess
ors and jaunty cadets are speechless
The time for tho breaking forth Of their
Indignation has not yet arrived They
cannot do the subject justice, but thor
indignant coun,cnances and omnibus
looks indicate the coming storm.
Cadet Master Charles Howard (colored)
comes from tho State of Mississippi.
HIS appointments is frow the Secretary
Of War, and was recommended by the
lion Legrand W. Pearce. newly elected
member from the Fifth District
Young Howard is full black, OF
sturdy physique. Ils measures five fee,
in height CIRCULATION size), and is as
bright boy as was ever seen. His hair
is cut tight aud his accent smacks decid
edly Of the plantation.
"Wbat yoa g'win 10 do wid DAT bag
sab ?" and "You dun let dat drap," was
his exclamation to a hotel porter who &C.
cidcn,ally took up his carpet bag His
nose is slightly retrusc and his face is
shiny with health. II is settled that he
cannot be rejected physically by the Medi'
cal Board.
The first African cadet landed from
the ferry boat with a jaunty air, and lift.
ing his military hat, he inquired for the
West Point Hotel. On arriving there he
rcgisthred his name and asked for room.
For the FIRST time at this hotel a cadet
was refused room. Charles said some
thing about his rights, and sauntering
out on the campus, he inquired for Col.
Jerry Black. The news few over to Col.
Blacks whom then and there, with Col.
Boynton and others, held very serious
council of war. The African came and
stood before them before Col. Black of
the Regular Army-and pecttully
asked that his equality be recognized.
The Colonel waved him away with his
hand; one by one the officers departed,
spcech'ess with amuzcment.
The white cadets seemed paralyzed.
1T Is dreadful says one. Lets put
the nigger in the river says another,
Some Of them threaten to resign, while
others talked Of killing the black boy
out right. On, young Dcmocra. from
Illinois exclaimed Great God, what
shall We do? He will have to drill with
US Cor four weeks before the examination
any way, lie will have to be bilgcd"
One thing is certain-the black cadet
is here. He is undoubtedly phys'c
ally qualified. He must now Grill with
the white cadets unit! the examination
on the oath Of July. Then he will fail
in mental examination, and 60 back to
Mississippi. This is is the programme
for the examining officers have power to
reject any applicant, Gen. Sehrivor a"d
Col. Black are opposed to the African
and while they are at she head Of the
National Academy, the black boy will
remain at the plantation. Jadge Hoge
NJ. c. from Columbia, is to appoint ne
gro, and has already signed paper fol
recommen ndation. Gen. Butler's colored
youth was too young, and the General
knew it. He only appointed him lol
political purposes. But in the light oi
the Fifteenth Amendment, what shall w
do with the African in our National ant
Naval Academies is grave question fo1
the unregenerate mind.