Semi-weekly Louisianian. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1871-1872, 1871-09-24
CADET SXITH...-A STATEMENT From
DAVID CLARK.
From the Hartford Courant. I

| lITom toe daftf0rd CourAnt.
| Smith. the eolored cadet a
West Point, who, since he left Hart
ford, has had a cheekered expert
ence, is said to be again in trouble
OF a sort that will ALLEVIATE much O
the sympathy that has heretofore
clung to him. Charges have beer
made against him of tyranny toward
the new colored cadet who entered
the academy few weeks ago since
The new appointee was placed un-
der the charge of Smith, to be ex.
ercised in the manual of arms, and
was also assigned quarters with him.
The officers of the academy have
been compelled to reprimand Smith
several times for his harsh treat
ment toward the new cadet" Ie
10 the Editor of the Co,vunt:
Since the above article appeared
IN your paper of the 25th ult., 1
have taken some pains to ascertain
the truthfulness of it. 1 am now
prepared to say, on what I deem
good authority, that it is a base
fabrication. Similar reports, gotten
up evidently by cadets who are op-
posed to the admission of colored
cadets into the Military Academy at
West Point, have been circulated
extensively throughout the country,
especially in South Carolina and
Tennessee, States that Cadets Smith
and Napier came from. No one re-
grets these false reports more than
Cadet Napier, who it is alleged is
the subject of this abuse. Since
his admission into the Military
A Academy in June last he and Smith
have been bosom companions-not
one thing occurring to disturb their
fraternal relations.
1t is true Cadet Smith drills Ca
aet Napier, but instead of doing it
in a tyrannical manner, he (Smith}
mas been reported several times by
senior cadets for not giving his or
iers in a more commanding tone
ind manner. This is all the repri-
nand that Smith has received from |
he officers. ..s
The source of these false reports
3 apparent and we'll understood |
~ those who have been present at |
he courts-martial of Cadet Smith. |
1t the last one he conducted his
'wn case, examined the witnesses
IT his accusers, presented his own
estimony, and read such an able
.rgument as to astonish the court
nd all present.
He entered West Point june,
$40. Since that time he has suf-
cred almost every abuse that could
e heaped upon him but death. Be
said to the shame of officers in
ur army and others in highest
uthority that this abuse comes
,ainly from ''their sons" in that
Institution. |,
1 had no hand in sending Cadet
mith to West Point. I placed him {
l Howard University at Washing |
IN for a collegiate education. Now 6
g is there, I propose to stand by 4,
Inn by all the means that God has I
lven me, when he is right, and de- I,
End him from his abusers and s
anderers. He will stay at West 4
oint, if his life and health are q
'ared him, until he graduates" if =
requires twenty-five years to do Q
although he would have re- @
gned in thirty days after his ad- t
ission had l not advised him to y
e contrary. I desire to test the y
'wers that be, and see if they are v
favor OF the fourteenth and fif- 4
enth amendments in principle as Q
ell as in name. (,
1 have tin mind to publish, at il
mo future time, such facts as I y
'ssess of this whole matter, and y
Q efforts that have been made to q
t Cadet Smith out of West Point. a,
it strikes those in high authority d
well as the small sample of a b
det from the Third Congressional II
strict of this State, the fault will II
theirs, not mine. saia II In.
DAVID CLARK. "
IL.