New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-01-05
and appreciativoly welcomed. The following is the
PERSECUTION 1T WEST POINT.
THE CHARGE AGAINST CoLoRED CADET SMITH.

THE CHARGE AGAINST COLOgED CADET SMITH.
The persecution of Cadet James w. Smith
by his fcllow-cadets at West Point has eliminated IN
another courtmaral convened 20 Investigate gcheia
charge of conduct nnbecomins an officer and gentle
man" The special olcnsc alleged is in the language VI
the indictment:
"Insnhordnate conduct TO all appearances not pay
ing the slightest attention 10 repeated commands OF file
closer to keep his eyes up while marching in from pa
rade" This took place Nov %, the very al
ernoon that the official order from the war Department.
at Washington was published to the cadet corps at even
ing dress parade acquttng Wilson OF the charges en-
tertancd nj the preceding court martial mOctODef. I'M
medately alter being reported, Smith wrote an eNphh
sidcred the report unjust and greatly oxagser.
ated and that nc had reason TO beieye Ina, that
He cited as his reasons that Cadescrgeant Walker who
reported him, had acted IN various WAYS a. tlUr1n
chcrshiur such an intention and that he had IN INC lh
the previous day, hoiSted that smn Molu t,u
another court-martal on his hands omllh wa
placed in arrest submitting explanations COu"
in highly dSrespecfu reflections on TIE cohuuc, Vi ne
reporting officer" and the COnmandant sentenced MN
coutjnemen TO the area OF Barracks and Gymnasium
PfrDs who arc familiar with the facts state that the
whole affair Is conspiracy. With one or two hOhOrle
executions the entire cadet corps cherish the mV?I
60, h9tI,d aroiust smith solely on account Of his
coior and nave boon waiting the eli ,heSt oppor
tunt 10 bring charges. and 70 Use the ec :"
simply consisted in an inadgerent sideions glance Nle
marching in from parade. -, ,,t.a.
Nearly all the officers at the Post share the pTeIuGces
of tho cadets against smith Since the departure oi COL
Black hardly any but Col. Persons have tired to ane
Iioraic smiths isolated and ptahle condition. He has
not ere associate, but among those 300 sneerns com
panlons is more lonely than solitary man ii the desert
In the gymnasium. the others mOnOpOzc cycryt ng
and more unpleasant things are said and done 10 nm
now Than ever before. Some time since he stated CON
fdeUtiaIly his friends: have tried not 10 complain
because hoped that there would be change; beside
[ knew that | had good, kind, ana true
friends 10 whom / owe great deal ana MO
have been doing their utmost for me- and feared 1o
m ght think tEat had acted iInpruGeHty nave lfu
very hard bo patient, and have endured many ilnsS
vii a forced submission. have intended 10 acl bonoi
ably and merit the hopes that have been phceu upon
me have not a single word or thought or III" to"ai
my fellow cadets. All ask or expect is q l'tr II
e-i, nm bic and Wcll-inerited diploma" lie mas
conducted himself well throughout these pCrsecutlohs'
MANY of those VINO have watched carefully an ms 'oi
VINO were present at lis previous trial. ana VINO Mtle IL
diIid,oIv even opposed 10 his admission 60 the Nay
Academy consider this cadet persecution ConuuO' u
becoming military gentlemen