The Van Buren press., 1870-06-21
NO 2
An Elephant st West Point.
| Correspondent Of the N. y Sss.

Correspondent Of Me ". ]. OsS-
West Point and the entire National
Academy were almost hreatiless with ex-
citement yesterday. The son Of coler-
ed American citizen arrived here in his
new role Of military cadet There had
been rumors that negro boys had been
appointed to the National Academy, but
the absolute arrival of an African, com.
mission In hand, is too much for West
Point human nature to endure. Aristo-
cratic professors and jaunty cadets are
speechless. The time for the breaking
forth OF their indignation has not yet AZ
rived. They cannotdo the subject justice.
but their indignant countenances and
ominous looks indicate the coming storm.
Cadet Master Charles Howard (colos.
ed) comes from the State Of Mississippi.
His appointment is from the Secretary
of War, and was recommended by the
Hon. Legrand w. Psrce, newly-elscted
member from the Fifth District.
Young Howard is afull black. Of star
dy physique. lie measures five feet in
height Regulation size and Is as bright
boy rs was ever seen. Ills hair 10 cut
tight and his accent smacks decidedly Of
the plantation.
"What you & win to do wild dat bag,
sab Z" "You dun let dat drap," was his
exclamation to hotel porter who acci.
dentally took up his carpet-bag. His
nose is slightly retr6asse and his face II
shiny with health. 1t is settled that he
cannot be rejected physically by the med
ical board
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 there he reg
istered his name and asked for room.
For tho first time at this hotel cadet
was refused room. Charles said some
thing about his rights, and sauntering
ont on the campus, be inquired for Col.
Jerry Black. The news flew over to Col.
Blacks, who, then and there, with Colo
mel Boynton and others, held very Sc
rious council Of war. The African came
and stood before them-before Colonel
Black of the regular army-and respect.
fully asked that his equality be recogniz-
ed. The Colonel waved him away with
his hand, and one by one the officers de-
parted, speechless with amazement
The white cadets seemed paralyxed.
1t is dreadful" says one Let's put
the nigger in the river" says another.
Some of them threaten to resign, while
others talk Of killing the black boy out
right, One young Democrat from Illi-
nois exclaimed: Great God, what shall
we do2 He will have to drill with us
for four weeks before the examination,
any way. He will have to be bilged."
One thing is certain, the black cadet ID
here. He is undoubtedly physically quail
ifed. He must now drill with the white
cadets until the examination on the gath
Of July. Then he will fail in mental ex-
animation, and go back to Mississippi.
This is the programme, for the examin-
ing officers have power to reject any ap.
plicant General Schriver and Colonel
Black are opposed to the African. and
while they are at the head Of the Nation
al Academy, the black boy will remain
on the plantation Judge Hoge, NJ. c.
from Columbia, is to appoint negro,
and has already signed paper of recon-
mendation. Gen Buffers colored youth
was too young, and the General knew 1t.
He only appointed him for political pur-
poses. But in the light Of the Fifteenth
amendment, what shall we do with the
African in our National and Naval Acad-
emies is grave question for the unre-
generated mind