The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1870-06-17
THE WEST POINT PROBLEM.
AN <DMIRAI, a SENATOR, AND ORR
ERs on THE CoLORED BoYs.


Thc DisrraccfsI facts Copceruins tire NAL
treatment OF the Colored Cadets = The
white Boys IntoIcrunce-Thc Work Of a
Hartford PhiIanthropist The Bov who
will Win.
wEsr Porrr, June 1e-The colored cadets are
the absorbing topic OF military and West Point cir
cles There is great uneasness to learn the exact
statue Of the two "boys Of destiny" Michael Row
ard OF Mississippi, and james W. Smith Of South
Carolina. The two boys have passed the physical
examination, ard are drilling, messing, and sleeping
members Of the cadet corps. Col Boynton says the
exception taken TO young Smiths eyes is common
exception, dozens OF whito boys being probated In
the same manner annually.
Correspondent--Do they generally get through
when probatedf
Col. Boynton-I hardly ever know one TO fail.
The boys are here, and nom tho Professors they
shall have justice. The other cadets dislike Il; but
they cannot change IL. The examinations arc to be
written out and the examining sheets numbered and
not named. The judges Of each boys paper must DO
impartial, for they do not know who answers the
| questions, except by number. Such number-say
10 25-s rejected. and the cadet stands or falls
| with the number
CADET PROSECUTIONS.
| Concerning tho words Of burning insult heaped
upon these ooored boys BY the white cadets. must
tell the truth and lot the responsibility fall where n
| must have heard white cadets (of the older
casses) say 70 these boys while drill most fond
ish things. A cadet who graduated two days ago
said In my hearing. and while the colored cadets
| were on driil, "You id niggers, why don't you
| get away from here 2" "You speckied euss, you
| look like a dead Niger" "Look at the - -
----r "wen put the d. black rascals in
| tho river" &c. These are common epithets, and
they arc said directly to the face OF the colored
| xrtth indgnatinn. I aafd
to q graduating cadet thus swearing. Hush
| don't say these things rieht 10 the
| poor BOYS; don't speak so loud" The answer
was in louder voice, II want these sinking black
| rnscals 10 hear me, and then get away rom here"
| Al this the lighter Of the colored cadets showeda
SUPPRESSED EMOTION.
but stood like John Huss the stake 1t would not do
to strike down his assarlter He could not break tho
ranks Then. II Of these cadets should challenge
every cadet who calls him to his lace a"d--bllck-
hearted niger ~" they would have to light
,wo-thirds Of the Academy Not the professors for
Not one spoken word OF condemnation comes from
them.., II they have any internal onrnings, they
| stui ally suppress outward expression. Will
saw here It Is all bosh about the cadets treating
these colored boys kindly: The indignities they
heap upon them would be unbear.ble to any
white boy of spirit. Hundreds OF times day
they are publicly called names TO their faces, so
tcrtfs Msn Az they pissed out from these insulting
remarks yesterday, followed them TO their rooms.
sS re.snssoS 1--WE eapcc, it, ana we shah Try
and stand Ii" said Cadet smith. " But " was not
so at the Hartford Hign School There was chosen
orator, with
THE MKT HIGHEST HONOR,
but here they pick and Insult US In the mcanest
way" Here he showed me c~'alo-ue OF the Hart
ford High school, and there stood the name OF John
W. smith AZ lie graduated with the next highest
honor
" Who was your father - inquired.
Ills name was lsreal smith; and he belonged to
sandres Guisnard OF Colombia"
| "Then he a slave ~
"Yes, but he was freed by sbermau's army. He
is now q carpenter and an Alderman IN Columbia"
| "she Was Catharine Smith born free" Here the
boy showed his mothers photograph. she appeared
like very respectable mulatto soma n, dressed In
black. with sraish hair and regular features.
| DESErAcroR.
"How did you come to be herei
mir. David Clark OF Hartford has promised to
educate me, and he got me sent here"
Clarkf"
=" A very kind white lady. Mics LOOMS, came to
T told Mr. Clark sbcu, me NY father IS able to sup
| port me, but Mr. Clark IL q great piiianthropist,
and he has taken a liking to me and ho is going To
Does Mr. Clark write to YOU ?"
" Yes, and the other day be sent me $50 for the
Treasurer-but il l once get In can get along alone
/ can keep with any Of tlIem. There has to be
first black boy here sometime and it may as well be
> VIVA, does Mr.; Clark say when you write about
Win great pride the boz handed me a letter from
his behefactor, and, with permission. append tue
| original:
DEAR JENNIE: Yours, lst inst, Is at hand aud noted
Let them cali "nigEer a, much as they please the,
viii laugh out Of the other corner OF t6elr mouth DC
Your only way Is to maintain your dignity. O.
~ aSs heS Sorm Se vii ea see sSa .an 40
ES hq =, SssS hS NO 5s%T on IA, s S2rs Hs
4 iad TsFaId. May sails fo5 Europe SATURDAY: Pres
SoH JsHs DC Yosrs 60 b. t[&k
. $50 Mr.. Clark knows the President, does he ?
wh he knows now eTe as
j. up, thought. the proudest Champion David Car
y "Yes, David Clark u good man, and he wrot,
= "Thero is another letter, sir"
/ DEAR JxnrE, Ihsve yours Of me 2gIh today Hsy
Hone yoS % pc pass hs y s
deed, fhsve no fear.
s %s s SsoFt VII yp4 4e SHg receive of the
IS We are All we'll and the family Join me in kin
Miss Mary sails for Europe on the ll,9 inst. to NEE
l. Mr. Lester. Write soon' Yours suiyb c,.pv
Michael Howard had been in the shade a little
while young Smith was telling the story OF his ben
e factor and delyng into the bottom Of his trunk,
:, came proudly forward with letter, saying, "An
~ here Is letter from great man too He's as GOO
Ststesi"
ID / append tn beautiful letter of Senator Amcs, o
v Mississippi. 1t has maze one OF the whitest day
in this poor black boys life. The ex General
L, did grander act In his life than when he sent
re hood OF sunshine INTO l0e lohely room OF Mlcha
Howard.
= LETTER FROM CHRISTIAN GENTLEMAN
UNITED STATES SENATE CHANGER
" wAsuSaTos. May ", 1917.
4 NJ Michael Holodrd, West Point, Wy
DEAR sIR; received your letter Informing me
q your departure tor West Point. have seen by Il
A papers that there. by the same papers
10 enough to lead TO believe your life there may
made some hat unpleasant.
. hearehed at anything which may BE- sad OF done
le you. You must rot forget tat IKE Mr. ReVes IN Co
a. gTess, you are the pioneer at the Military Aeadem
s. He was among men who were genuemeni you a
O. among boys WHO are proyerDlLly cruel and
" consderate, Cadets are No worse than other your
VS. men at their age they are very likely TO do May
and uuk nd things 10 you, As sad, you must not n
re tee them, be the man, and look beyond tho .nno
"a ances OF u day to the future Remember, you are
III rel lesentatlye boy OF your race
4 have great regard for your iather, and would
~ | only glad to aid you II could My friend az
be clasemate, Gen. Upton n al West Point or soon "
be see him, show him this letter, and follow any a
I'd vice he may give you. lie IL true, noble man vi
80 WILL fully appreciate your position, and kympath
lB with you,
,o Keep brave heart and all Will be we'll 1870
~ Very truly yours. A. AMES
IL THE PROBABILITIES.
a Wishing to know from personal knowledge whot
er the boys would pass tue mental examination