The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1870-06-03
MEtEpHAsfAr WEST POINT.


Correspondence Of the New York -eun.
WEST POINT, Nay 25.-West Point
and the entire National Academy were
almost breathless with excitement
Yesterday. The son of a colored
American citizen arrived here in his
new role of military cadet. There
had been rumors that negro boys had
| been appointed to the National Acad-
emy. but the absolute arrival of an
African, commission in hand, is too
much for West Point human nature to
endure. Aristocrat:c professors and
jaunty cadets are speeches.. The
time for the breaking forth oftheir in
dignation has not yet arrived. They
cannot do the subject justice, but their
indignant coumtenances and ominous
looks indicate the coming storm.
Cadet Master Charles Howard (col-
ored )comes from the State of Missis-
sippi. His appointment is from the
Secretary of War, and was recon-
| mended by the. Hon. Legrand w.
Pierre, newly-elected member from
the fifth district.
Young Howard is a full black, of
sturdy physique. He measures five
feet i'm height CIRCULATION size and is
as bright a boy as was ever seen. His
hair is cut tight and his accent smacks
decidedly of the plantation.
"What you g'win to do wild dat bag,
san? You dun letdat drap," was his
exclamation to hotel porter who ac-
cidently took his carpet-bag. His
nose is slightly retrOusse and his face
is shiny with health. 1t is settled that
he cannot be rejected physically by
the medical board.
The first African cadet landed from
the ferry-boat with a jaunty air, and,
lifting his military hat, he inquired for
the West Point Hotel. On arriving
there he registered his name and asked
for room. For the first time at this
hotel a cadet was refused q room.
Charles said something about his
rights, and sauntering out on the cam
pas, he inquired for Col. Jerry Black.
The news few over to Col. Blacks
who then and there, with Col. Boyn-
ton and others, held a very serious
council Ofwar. 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 amazemcnt.
The white cadets seemed paralyzed.
at is dreadful" says one. Lets put
| the Niger in the river" says another.
Some fthem threaten to resign, while
others talk of killing the black boy
outright. One young Democrat from
Illinois exclaimed: Great God, what
shall we do? He will have to drill
with us four weeks before the exami-
nation, any way. He will have to be
bilged." ..ss s.,ss.f,...,
One thing is certain, the black cadet
is here. He is undoubtedly physi-
cally qualified. He must now drill
with the white cadets until the exami-
nation on the 9th Of July. Then he
will fail i'm mental examination, and
go back to Mississippi. This is the
programme, for the examining officers
have power to reject any applicant
Gov. Schriver and Col Black are op-
posed to the African, and while they
are at the head of the National Acade-
my, the black boy will remain on the
plantation. Gen. Buffers colored
youth was too young and the General
knew it. He only appointed him fol
| political purposes. Judge Hoge, M
! c., from Columbia, is to appointa ne.
gro, and has signed paper of recon-
incubation. But in the light of the
fifteenth amendment, what shall We
do with the African in. our national
and naval academies is a grave ques:
ton for the unregenerated mind.