The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1870-06-04
WEST POINT.
Arrival of a ColOred Cadet.

The New York Sun he's the following
special:
West Point, N. Y, May 26.-Tht
entire National Military Academy were
almost breatbbss with excitement yes
terday at the Introduction there OF 4
SON ola colored American citizeRin his
Snew role of military cadee There ha6
been rumors that negro boys had beer
appointed to the National Academy
but the absolute arrivsl of an African
commission in hand, is too much 70,
West Point to endure. Aubcrat Pro
fessQrs and jaunty cadets are speechless
The time for the breaking forth of theil
Indignation has not yet arrived. They
cannot do the subject justice, but theil
countenances and ominous looks indi.
cate the coming storm.
Cadet Master Charles Howard, col
ored, comes from the State Of Mississip.
pi. His appointment is from the Sec.
retary of War and was recommended
by the Hon. Legrand W. Pierce, the
newly elected. member from the 5th
District of Mississippi. Young How.
ard is a full black, of sturdy physique
He measures S feet in height-regula-
tion si@ H, and is as bright boy as was
eyer seen. His hair is Gut tight, and
his accent smacks decidedly of the plan.
tation. "What you gwine do wild dat
bag, Sah," and "you dun let dat drap," +"
were his question and exclamation to
an hotel porter, who accidently took
up his carpet bag. His nose is slightly
retrousse, aud his face is shiny with
health. Its settled that be cannot be
rejected physically by the medical
''a,Is The first African cadet landed from
the ferry-boat with jaunty air, and,
lifting his military hat, he inquired for
the West Point Hotel. On arriving he
registered his name and asked for a
room. For the first time at this hotel
a cadet was refused a room. Charles
said something about his rights, and
sauntering out to the compas, he asked
for Colonel Jerry Black. The news
few over to Col. Blacks, who 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 respectfully asked that his equality
be recognized. The Colonel waved him
away with his hand. and one by one the
officers departed, speechless with amaze
ment. The white cadets seemed paral-
yzed. "It is dreadful" says one.
LETS put the niger in the river" says
another. Some Of them threatened to
resign, while others talked of killing the
black boy outright.
One thing is certain-the black cadet
is here. He is undoubtedly physically
qualified. He must now drill with the
white cadets until the examination of
the 24th of July. Then be will fail in
mental examination and 60 back to
Mississippi. This is the programme.
for the examing officers have the power
to reject any applicant. Gen. Schriver
and Col. Black are opposed to the Afri-
can. andwhile they are at the head of
the National Academy. the black boy
win remain on the plantation.
Judge Hayes, M. G. from Columbia,
is to appoint negro and has already
signed a paper of recommendation.
Gen. Buffers colored youth was too
young, and the General knew it--he
only appointed him for political purposes.
But in the light Of the Fifteenth Amend
ment, what shall we do with the Afri-
can in our National and Naval Acade-
mics is grave question for unregenera-
ted minds.