New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-07-12
VEST POINT.

DIsGRACEFUL CONDUCT OF CADETS-LETrER FROM
GEN. HOWARD TO COLoRED CADET J. w.
SMITH. ~
To the Editor Of The tribune
SIR: have written short letter to Cadet
Smith he colored Cadet and the thought occurs to me
that might perhaps influence highminded cadets In his
favor by giving my letter to you for publication inc
ninnes who win prosecute because they can do 1t
with IMMUNITY, will hide their heads when the ndgna-
ton OF true men 10 excited against them.
II West Point has not power enough TO protect such
young as Cadet Smithquick, able, honest noble
spirited he istben West Point viii have hard strug
gle against the returning tide of feeling that will break
in from the people. am graduate OF West Point ana
am proud Of her sons who have been true to the country
and true to humanity, but 1 greatly ashamed when
cadets dishonor by prejudice, that ought long
ago to have been smOthered. y. y. HOWARD
Washington, ID. c., July 8. 1870. = 4 e. IT TT ~ &
tCOpyl "a 80
WASHINGTON D. c., HOWARD UNIVERSITY, July 8, 1870
MY DEAR Young FRIEND f.: have just received your
letter OF the goth uft It published in The Washington
Chronicle Of this morning. do hope you will never
think Of giving up while you have health to stand the
storm. I suffered quite as much when first went to
West Point. Endure the insults without any show OF
fear prompt and able reply when off duty will some
tunes avail you pleasant smile viii win hearts to YOU
Cod who allowed you be born and live with the blood
Of the African in your VEINS will bear you through every
trial. To be a soldier need not only be brave In
battle but have abundance Of genuine fortude, so
as to bear up in disaster and apparent defeat There Is
no real defeat the true soderhs soul is unconquer-
able. Afectionately your friend, q
o. o. HOWARD Brevet Mai Gen, U. 8. A.
To Cadet j. w. Smith, West Point N Y.
The following is Cadet Smiths letter. ~
WEST POINT, N. Y, June 90, 1870.
DEAR FRIEND: Your kind letter should have been an,
% se and tbe snts and reatment OF
these cadets that could not write or do else
but INV COMPANION Howard failed and was rejected
Since he went away have been. lonely indeed And
run me off and fear they will succeed If they continue
as they have begun We went into camp yesterday ana
them has been cursng and abusing me. All night they
were around my tent cursing and swearing az me so
same at the table, and what get to eat must snatch
FOR like dog b Win n IL s se. oT can me get to sn
and take all the abuses and insults that are heaped
year-harder than ever beforehand since have been
successful in getting in will stay as long as possibly
was in IT, and they reduced him from corporal to
private for dsobedence Of orders and they are all mad
about that The one who drills the squad now is the
ing to the drill this morning he said to me,
YoS are TO too near that White man want you to
Der you are not equal footing with the white men
pc SoF e for won't S teach you id thing And thus
he kept standing until the captain came around m
teach movement which had never praehced before
locked up disobedence Of orders disrespect TO
superior officers" II 1t ever happens again shail
DENY il to his face and then resign.
II complain OF their conduct TO the conmandant 1
must prove the charges, nothing can be done, and
where am TO find one from 40 many testify in my be-
half If this afternoons drill is conducted IA this morn
ings was you need not be asonshed at hearing that
have resigned. have borne insult upon insult until
am completely worn out. 1 have written plenty OF
bad news. and wish had some good news for you but
alas II TO be getting worse and worse. forgot
to tell you that out OF So appontees only 80 passed the
examination They had prepared IL to fix the cOlored
candidates. but proved most disastrous to the whites
hope you all well at home saw very fine article
relating to me In The Hartford Couran and feel very
grateful to Mr. Capron for his kind words concerning me-
hope my brightest hopes will be realized, but doubt
II they will ever be here.
Give my kind regards TO all, and write soon TO your
much benefited and thankful servant, j. W. SMITH.
T. s-There 81 appontees; five failed ply sicay,
Al failed mentally leaving 80 admitted