Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-05-31
AN ELEPHANT AT WEST
POINT.
The First Negro Cadet Arrives at th
military Academy.

The First Negro Cadet Arrives at the
Military Academy.
Correspondence of the New York Sun.
WEST Po1Nr, May 25.-West Point and
the entire National Academy were almost
breathless with excitement yesterday.
The son of colored American citizen
arrived here in his new role of military
cadet. There had heen rumors that negro
boys had been sppointcd to the National
Academy, but the absolute arrival of an
African, commission in hand, is too much
for West Point human nature to endure.
Aristocratic professors and jaunty cadets
are speechless. The time for the break
ing forth of their Indignation has not yet
arrived. They cannot DO the subject
Justice, bat their indignant countenances
and ominous looks indi, tAe coming
storm.
Cadet Master Charles Howard (cOiored)
comes from the State of Mississippi, His
appointment is from the Secretary of War,
and was recommended by the Hon. Leg
rand w. Pierre, newly elected member
/ from the fifth district.
Young Howard is full black, of stur-
dy physique. He measures five feet in
| height (regd,S::;on size, } and is as bright
a boy as was ever seen. lriS h9ir is cut
tight and his accent smacks decidedly OF
the plantation.
| "What you g'win to do wild dat bag,
sahl" ''YOg dun let dat drap," was his
| exclamation to hotel porter who acci-
| IDENTIFY took his carpetsbag. his nose is
| slightly retrOussc 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 jaunty air, and, lifting
his military hat, he inquired for the West
Point Hotel. On arriving there he regis
tered his name and asked for room. For
tie first time at this hotel cadet was re-
fuses I4O4. Charles said something
about bis rights, and sGuntering out on
the campus, he Inquired for Uol. Jerry
Black. The news flew 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 then-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,
| speeches. with amazemGht.
The white cadets seemed paralyzed. Il
is dreadful, "says one. tEet's put the mig
ger in the river, says another. Some o.
them threaten to resign, while others tall
of killing the black boy outright. OnC
young Democrat from Illinois exclaimed
''Great God, what shall we do He viii
have to drill with US for four weeks be
fore the examination, any way. He vii
have to be bilged.
One thing is certain, the black cadet il
here. He is undoubtedly physically
qualified He must now drill with thu
white cadets until the examination on tn,
| 24th of July. Then he viii fail in men
| tsl examination, and go back to Missis
sippi. This ig the programme, TO
the examining officers have power 70 re
iect any applicant. Gen. Schriver and
Col. Black are opposed to the African
and while they are at the head of tn
National Academy, the black boy will re
main on the plantation. Judge Hoge, hl
c., from Columbia, is to appoint negro
and has signed paper of recommends
ton. Gen. Buffers cOlored youth wa
too young, and the General knew it. Ill
only appointed him for political purposes
But in the light of the fifteenth amend
ment, what shall we do with the Africa
in our national and naval academies Is
grave question for the anregenerate
mind.