The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-06-01
THE FIRST NEGRO CADET.
His Arrival and Reception Mt West
Point-Consternation Among the Cau-
cusians-A Council Of Wnr-How the
Officers Hope to Get Rid Of CufIee.
A West Point correspondent of the New

A West Point correspondent of the New
York Sun, writing on the 25th ultimo, says:
West Point and the entire National Acade-
my were almost GREATNESS with excitement
Yesterday The son of q cOlored American
citizen arrived here in his new role OF military
cadet. There had been rumOrs that negro
boys had been appointed 10 the National Acad-
emy, but the absolute arrival Of an African,
commission in hand, is too much for West
Point human nature to endure. Aristocralc
professors and jaunty cadets are spcechless.
Cadet Master Charles Howard (colOred)
comes from the State of Mississippi. Ills ap-
pointmenL is from the Secretary Of War, and
was recommends by the Hon. Legrand W.
Perce, newly elected member from, the fifth
district. His pure African descent Is unnls-
takably manifested in his clear black COM
plexion, largely white eyes and closely crlmped
hair. His personal appearance Is by no means
unprepossessing. In height he is about five
feet four inches; his figure is well rounded,
and his carriage not at all ungracrful. His
countenance has Il pleasant, slirewd and rcso-
Lutte expression. His accent snlacks decidedly
OF the plantation. ''What you gwln to do wild
dat BAG, sab? and "YUu dun let dat drap,"
was was his exclamation to o hotel porter who ac-
cidenty took up his carpet-bag. His nose is
slightly re,rolSSe aud his face is shiny with
health. It Is settled that he cannot be rejected
physically by the medical board.
It is quite evident that he s aware of The
peculiar position In which he Is placed, and
that although sensitive, he Is not embarraSs-
ed nor discouraged. His appearance as he
wandered as9ut the Plalns, carrying Ia ms
hand an Immense carpetbag, anu inquirins
the direction to the commandments office, was
somewhat amusing. He was politely inform
ed that he was in advance OF the appointed
time, and that new cadets could not be exam
ined until alter the 25th He then endeavored
to procure board, but everywhere he applied
was Informed that there were no accommoda-
lions left, whereupOn he proceeded TO the VII
lage of Highland Falls, two miles below, and
applied at CoZzens' Hotel. Dinner and supper
were furnished him there, but all the rooms
were ''engaged;" so he had recourse TO COL
ored family who live near BY, and who are now
entertaining him. He appears very quiet, but
apparently determined TO push things
resoluteiy. His advent is tie sensation
of tie season. The cadets. especially, are
not a little exercised in mind over the mat
ter, and it is Il theme Of not little contentious
argument. Even the officers, whl!e discard
inS all political bias in the matter, anu after
having fought for the colOrcd race, both at the
polls and OIL the battle, field, while feeling kind
iy toward him. speak very doublluily on the
eypediency OF this venture. They regard il as
more decided advance of the colorcd man
into social circles than even the elevation Of
position OF the new cadet, if accepted and re-
tanned, must grow more and more embarrass-
lng from lis isolation and the peculiar novelty
of his social connections. No doubt but This
recruit vii! have thorough initiatUry dew
mcnt" from the cadets, 10 sustain which will
test his forlitule. Otherwise he will be treated,
by both officers and cadets with courtesy end
Kindness, their sense Of hoaDr being too high
to permit any other course
One thing is certain. the black cadet is here.
He is undoubtedly physically qualified. He
must now drill with the white cadets until the
examination on the 2Ith OF July. Then lie will
fail in mental examination, and 60 back 10
Mississippi This is the programme. for the
examining officers have power TO reject any
applicant. General Schrivcr and Colonel Black
are opposed to the African. and while they are
at the head Of the National Academy tile black
boy will remain on the plantation. Judge
Hoge NJ. c.. from Columbia, is to appoint
negro, and has already signed a paper of re-
colnmendation. Genera. Buffers culored youth
was too young, and the general knew it, He
only appointed him for political purposes. But
in the light of the Fifteenth amendment, what
shall We do with the African in our rational
and naval academies is Il grave question for
the unregenerat.d mind.