Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1872-12-14
Protection for the COIOred Naval
Cadet.

SHARP REECKE OF TIE HAZgRs.
The following is the text OF the order of the
Secretary OF the Navy in relation to the treat
ment OF the colored ca ast At the Naval Acad-
envy:
The testimony taxi en- by the board of officers
appointed 10 inyesf Agate the conduct OF certain
oadet mldshipme n at the naval academy, to-
wards lhelr IeI Iow-cadet, James III. Conyers,
me Proceedir .gs and findings of the board, and
me views az ID recommendations of the superin-
tendent OF the academy.
me ue' Isrtment is constrained TO believe that
me como act complained of was not only a de-
m eratI violation OF its repeated injuncti ons,
our A. the result of spirit rebellious of au-
IhJr .ty, finding expression in unprevoked ard
see ningly concerted persecution by some of the
pa rites charged, of a felow-cadet of equal Off
ial standing, and equally entitled to official
protection with themselves.
Under the operation of new and beneticent
laws, all distinctions of race have been abol-
ished in our country; the public burdens are
worthy members of every class are alike ent-
tied to the benefits, and free to contend for the
favor of the government.
In the exercise of his undoubted legal right,
member of the national Congress, himself OF
African descent, nominated to the naval acad
envy cadet Of his own color. In recognition of
his right, the naval authorities confirmed the
nomination, and at once carefully and unms
takably made known to all at the academy
the esae. oD seeeant of his qa pSn
| would be permitted from any one. As
btnehciaries OF the government under traningi
for future command. the first duty imposed
| UPON cadet midshpmen by their situation and
profession is q prompt and graceful compliance
| with every order given for their guidance.
Certain of them, however, have undertaken
in direct violation of repeated warnings to
manifest their displeasure at the presence OF
their fellow student by system of personal
! persecution which has found expression in
general insOlence of demeanor, in petty in.
| dignties, and sometimes in acts of personal
| violence. As an impotent protest against the
1 Snty M NO lar oh I,oN Gilt
| as an insolent expression of superiority TO the
| solitary representative of a lately oppressed
race it was unmanly; as apparently concerted
| ara acc uiesced in by the many against the one,
| IT looked like cowardice; and as an open de-
| fsnce OF the repeated commands OF their supe-
riors it was violation of that principle OF sub
| mission TO authority which is the first and most
| comprehensive of professional duties.
The government does not attempt to control
the personal feelings, nor regulate the personal
association of any OF its officers; but, while il
| enacts obedience a principal from those
| whose services and characters deserve the high
| est consideration, it cannot submit 10 open de-
| nance from the youngest of its beneficiariss.
| Certainly the President will not tolerate at the
| academy. under any circumstances. a spirit of
| rebellion against authority; and whenever su Oh
| spirit is manifested in overt action summary
| ard invariable punishment must be expected.
| The conduct of those cadet midshipmen who
have been found violating their principles and
| the orders made to enforce them has been care
| fully Investigated by board of honorable and
| experienced officers. and their findings, as m ID
flied by the recommendation of the dstE-
| guished superintendent of the academy, will
| be carried out by the department.
| No one can take exception to the punish
| ment which the offenders after repeated warn
ings, have brought upon themselves
GKO. Nj. robson, Secretary of the Navy
! The Secretary has concluded not to m AXE
| known at present the particular punishm ents
| inflicted upon the offending cadets, believing
that the publication of the above order will be
| suffi cient humiliation.
CocHIsE GOING TO HAVE PEACE If he HAS
| TO FIGHT FOR Ir.-Gen. o. .. Howard has
received private letter from Camp Bowie,
Arizona, stating that about eight hundred In
| dams under Cochise are on the reservation es-
| tabiished by Gen. H., and that no depredatiosS
notified other tribes that if any depredatiOus are
| committed or his reservation by them they will
| be punished.