Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-02-15
nnr11yEn Irs usEruLNEss.

OUTLlNED 1to oo1E VAN ASS'
There was a melancholy debate in the
House of Representatives yesterday, Sug
gested by the tangled and twisted state
of things at West Point. That institu'
ton does not appear to be progressing
with its accustomed smoothness, but
moves on like rickety wagon tumbling
over rocks down a steep hill. Since the
Ethiopian element was injected into 1t,
it has known no peace, The high spir-
tied young men there were not pleased
with the new element, but could not help
themselves. The army and the navy
stood ready to champion it. II was 10y
atty, done in charcoal. and in whatever
form that appears, cannons, swords, guns,
pistols and knives fly to its protection.
That element is represented at West
Point by an Ethiopian bearing the eau
.casian name Of Smith Smiths rep
ntation for veracity is questioned. in
fact, persons of undoubted veracity
have charged Smith with lying.
Now, among soldiers lying is not to
be tolerated. The personal integrity
and veracity ola soldier csanot, or must
moi, be questioned. An asseveratioa upon
the honor of soldier " is generally to
be believed. Hence it is that Smith s
proclivity for perverting facts, more, per-
haps, than his color, renders him odious
to the young men at West Point. But
other elements have crept into ths igsti-
tntion as difficult to manage as the black
element. il is characterization to au-
thority. This has grown to such an ex-
tent that courts-martisl have been con-
yened for the purpose of investigation
and correction The subject forms a
topic for debate in Congress. In the
House yesterday, among other resolu-
tons offered on the subject, was one al
leging that the academy at West Point
had outlived its usefulness and ought to
be abolished. Mr.. Slocum, member Of a
committee appointed to investigate sc
fairs at the academy, defended the Off
GERS, but recognized that they had
unusual difficulties thrown in their way
within the last few years. First, by the
admission Of a colored cadet, who had
proved great source Of embarrassment,
aud second, by the presence among the
cadets of sOn of man high in author
ity who interfered With orders and dis
cipline. If he we're head of such an in
stitution, he would rather have twenty
negro cadets in il than one cadet 80 cir
cumstanced, and this has been the posi-
tion 10 which the officers Of West Point
have been ,placed for the last three
years" Mr. Slocum is Democrat, and
represents the city of Brooklyn in the
House. He has placed the matter before
she country just as it is Grants son.
feeling that he is Grants son, just asa |
Prince Of Wales feels that he is Prince of
Wales, defes authority, breaks through |
the restraints of discipline, and invites
others, not royal, to follow his example. |
Young Grant knows his father is PFesi
dent, and that young Grant will be sus-
tanned by that Presidential father. Then
comes Smith, like black 6rebrand, TO |
add to the confusion. 1t is not at all
improbable that the people will become
Disguised with the national school at
West Point, and demand that it be abol-
ished 1t has outliyed its usefulness
when the son of President can defy its
discipline, and negro cadet can lie, and
lie, aud still command the worship Of a
great political party. When we turn our
thoughts to the great men whom West
Point has edueated--to what it was n |
the days that are past and contemplate
ID as it is now we are constrained to
think with the member of Congress who
thought it had outlived its usefulness