New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-02-22
WEST POINT.

In tne pTl1ultlNc ufAyo va %
before the country was torn by sectional
questions, the military academy at West
Point was very highly considered, and its
graduates everywhere entered among the
people, and were highly esteemed. And
since it is our constant solace to refer
back to that period of simplicity as the
honest and truly republican age, is 1t
not a little inconsistent at present to be
flouting at West Point as an aristocratlc
institution that ought to be abolished! II
our primitive ancestors did not regard IL
as a reproach to their simplicity, we must
either change our own estimate OF the IN
stitution, or we must alter our Ideas
about race of people that now command
our utmost respect.
Of very recent date West Point mas
been the object of violent attack be-
| cause the cadets took the law into their
own hands and expelled three members
by process known to the West IS lynch
law. That is, they held meetings at night
in their quarters, and having condemned
the three members as unfit to be tolerated
in the school, they organized posse,
and taking the unworthy three, they put
them outside the lines of the school and
forbade them ever to return again. The
son of the President was one of the par
ties that committed this act, which is
known at West Point as "hazing.'
Because a son OF President Grant was
involved in the transaction, the opposition
press has seized upon the act to attack the
academy, and to insinuate that the
..rioters" will not be disturbed. 1t is as
serted that the son of the President may
do with impunity what would cause the
immediate expulsion Of any other cadet;
and it is further asserted that the Presi-
dent upholds his son in being disorderly,
and that Congress dare not maintain dis
cipline at West Point while the Presidents
son is abusing it.
On the contrary, it is only fair to state
what the other side can say. And let it
be spoken to the credit of the New York
World, that it has given the defense good
hearing. It publishes the statement OF
cadet Grant himself, which is about as
strong an argument as is needed on the
subject, and shows that the son Of the
President is not only sensible and just in
his ideas, but that he is plucky and indie
pendent in his disposition to stand by his
act, and to share with his comrades all the
blame and punishment that is to result
| from their rough cleansing of the school.
Cadet Grant says that the three men,
| bers who were s'hazed' out Of the Acad-
envy were liars, and that this is an otiense
which West Point cannot consent to en-
dure, for it is not only ungentlemanly
and unofficerlike, but it is the greatest
peril that could possibly enter the ser
vice. Absolute veracity must distinguish
a soldier in order to inspire confidence
and protect the army. Officers may be
guilty of any other ofiense without i'm
pairing their efficiency, but if they make
false reports no military movement can be
! safely made. And If this virtue re-
walls it suppresses other vices, FOL
the man whose word is wholly
reliable can not be bad man otherwise
And as the three cadets that were expelled
were confirmed liars, they were not worth!
to continue in the school, because theil
evil practices were dangerous to thu
wholesome and necessary morality OF thu
other cadets He freely admits that h
was one of the party that expelled thu
three cadets but he does not rely on hi
father to help him through the scrape, no
is he willing that the professors shall b.
blamed for his proceedings. And more
over. he intends to share with his asso
ciates in any punishment that may be IN
fiicted upon them. AS to the general con
duct of the cadets, cadet Grant does no
think that the present classes differ mucl
from their predecessors.
This is fair statement. 1t sounds lk
correct one. Any high-minded youn'
man would make just such a one, and mos
high-minded young men would Justify
after hearing it. If there is nothing wors
than this "hazing" business, then, per
haps Congress had better respect Yves
Point out of respect for the generation
that we so much admire, which certainl
respected it.