New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-06-16
GALA DAYS AT WEST POINT.
CoLORED CADETS-PREsENrATIoN or Dii I'J,, o.,
SECRETARY BELKNAP's ADDREss-Llsr VI
GRADUATES AND THEIR STANDING


,,, hos haon suddenly thrust upon the cadets The
success or failure Of this experiment. and the momen
tons consequences Ringing thereon will be watched WIN
profound interest by all friends Of the Academy as wei
as OF the cOored race.
within the past month two young men of African
blood have arrived at West Point, presented due ere
dentias and joined the class Of candidaiesfor admission
Both of them hope pass the preliminary examination
next week, TO become cadets, TO 60 through inc
four years course, and to be graduate"
with honor TO themselves, their race
and their country One of them, Michael Howard II
years old dark, good natured pleasant-faeed muao,
rather small and slender in stature He. was appointed
ty Legrand W. Perez Representative from the Nth
District of Mississippi. His father, Merryman Howard
is member OF the branch Of the Mississippi Legs
ature and keeps private clearinghouse at Fa!ette'
the capital Of jefferson County. He taught his son 10
read a little, but the only regular education Michael
ever received years common school instruction.
ending in Docemb1r 1863 During last Winter, he was
page in the Mississippi Senate. He obtained ms appoint
neut April o. through the recommendation OF senator
Reyels and his fathers acquaintance with Mr. PeTce,
and arrived at West Point May %. He passed his
physical examination without trouble but is almost GER
tain TO fail the mental examination Only the most
extraordinary talent could acquire in year the pro
hciency demanded the cadet, and Towards indlf
frcut performances in the section room since ms ar
rival Indicate his deficiencies only too plainly lie MN
self fy realizes this ncapacity and attempted 10 have
further study. this proved mpracticabe and be re-
solved least to make trial, and to pass possible
IL e fails as expected, he will doubtless be returned
next June for second attempt The other coored can
aidate for admission 10 West Point James W. smith,
20 years old. is a tail, wellfeatured young man.
having in his veins ive-sixteenths OF coiored
blood which shows itself only in his curly hair and on
each check m large brown spot when Is Slowly dsal
pcariug with time lie appointed by ;. L. Hoge Of
The lila District Of south Carolina His father Is a
wcltOO Iuu,attO carpenter III Columbia, = Co ana ms
eau,ation, through her white fathers influence, at
private school IN Charleston. James was the thrd on
wute Joy their mother. He subsequently became pro
tege of Mr.. David Clark OF Hartford and took diploma
Tor ing through the three years course IN the High
School there. He then entered the Howard University
at Washington, and had been there three weeks
when he received, May Is, his nomination to West
Point and immediately repaired tlither, May 81 he
Will almost certainly pass the mental examination with
honor, but he vii only he admitted probation in
consequence of ght weakness in one eye These are
moi tho only colocd men nominated for West Point, for
Gen Butler appointed in Mass chusots last summer,
who turned out 10 he under aSC, ana consequently ulu
make his appearance stul another negro in Ten
has been promised AN appointing nj for next year
Howard ANA smith receive Just as far ana friendly
white u the Academy, although most Of the officers
the discreet ana experienced professors doubted
II The times we're fully RIPE for such AN innovation,
nay, bat iWardy they ful OF hostility against the
grOes Tncre is scarcely an actual iltreatment OF
ana wnat is more tere open understanding
tat whoerer erea speaks 70 ne "darkeyS'' GrefBt
simple means the cadets hope to make life so bitterly
lonely for any negro who may pass, that o,h he
crazy. The, quiet and determined way in which
STTas ON that Hc Sugrs well for his ability to help
br,ab down the prejudice that is now strong. When
Ia sending Of negroes to West Point shame" "a
disgrace "a blot on the institution ID outrage
and on. If they get rid OF eolored cadets by any
Ion means they will Gust them instantly
The graduates Of 1870 received their diplomas az IL
front Of tie library Gordon of Duecoated sentinels
ucosod spacious grassy area within which the ladies
iodnd seals ana their cav aeis were permitted 10 stand
All the military Toe' &nd Pn aT nGIfS "fI e
four CLASSES of cadets, IN fun dress uniform,
formed at the barracks, and marched to the
baEd arranged in gorgeous red and white uniforms,
and headed 10y valiant drun-m5or with an enormous
pdHache The first class, without muskets, formed IN
double rank, facing the library and the spectators, WITH
thethree oor classes at parade rest drawn up behind
anu on either side. Tie band finished lively air and
took it, position at the extreme right. Gen. Pitcher,
Comauaut OF the Post then introduced Secretary Bel
kuap, proceeded to call the graduating cadets
cordng To their standing Each came forward cap in
hand his called, received from the secre-
tar! large white envelope containing the coveted di-
polna, n.de more or less Chesterhedian bow Of ac-
kLOWl,dgmeut, and returned 10 the ranks with head
erect AID martial tread After due presentation to all
were dohcd again, and Secretary Belknap pronounced
the following add ess:
SECRETARY BELKNAPs ADDRESS.
Gentlemen Of tie Graduating class Of 1870; Having
requested address you before the tie is forever
severed which binds you institution which has
long our home, and which you to leave,
o. take your places in the ranks of active e willingly
do so in brief words, for feel my inability impress
upon you in the full strength of its Importance the
gravity Of the duties which will soon dcyolye upon you.
DIltd TO perfection, as you have been, IN military
movements; skilled you have proven yourselves, in
subjects OF study which has been the labor of
your academic life TO learn taught YOU have been in
la your of instruction, faithfully, and with devO-
ton by those gentlemen whO as Professors OF inns lns-
tUi!.u. l.iyc gwen il be enyied and
fame 20 he coveted wherever the Story OF its
achievements has gone impressed your minds have
ben by habits Of lie and thought and study here with
important character OF the profession you have
sumed, you enter upon your career hopeful, earnest,
with g ante paiOns, ana, trust, with honorable
biIOn. Hesitation III Offering advice SHAH not prevent
NY rendering some tO.yOu. For can tell you what you
vii accept admitted fact that ali learned here
by tTeess application Is but lite compared with the
by constant contact with your brother officers, by
Performance OF the numerous aud often complex du-
lies which viii command your best efforts,
and by Tie responsibilities which as officers
TIE which, sooner III ne man on may eAlect, VII Iy
yOur Strength OF mind beyond anticipation. Though a
you viii ind there il yet much To learn, realizing at
the yOJr r,t year that you aid not KNOW every
last line the close OF your second, how much more
there il life than I'm luz, aud pardon me II say That
yod graduated you scarcely knew any thing at all But
geLtemen CA have that sure foundation Of knowledge
H. nor of -,d.cTiv ztal ana of patriotic virtue which,
glded by the principles niculcated within the walls OF
Acad, my, aud inspired 10y the memories OF an the
historic associations which cluster around this Neneraled
spot viii command the confidence OF the people, and
mark yUu a. men on whom they can rely.
Passing through "a war which exhibited to aston
ishcd word wonderful military Resources, tue nation
itself looked with surprise upon the great armies which
sIrJug 70 M before theecnOo the first oll OF the drums
OF tie Rebellion had died awdy-armes which were
mainly oticertd by men who came from the walks Of
diplomas of the Academy you have won them, aud
VINO camped on this piHh where your tents nave ne,I
ior his country: whether they checrod their men TO
Onioer that knighty solder Of the Western army, Your
own Mcpherson whether uey were IL mat