New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-12-19
Protection for the COlOred Naval
Cadet-SIlarp Rebuke Of the lIa.
ZAFS.

The following is the text of the order of the
Secretary of the Navy in relation to the
treatment of the colored cadet at the Naval
Academy:
The testimony taken by the board of Off
GERS appointed to investigate the conduct of
certain cadet midshipmen at the Naval AGA
deny, toward their fellow-cadet, James II.
Conyers, has been carefully investigated to-
gether with the proceedings and findings of
the board, and the views and recommends
tons Of the superintendent of the academy.
The Department is constrained to believe
that the conduct complained Of was not only
deliberate violation Of its repeated inunc-
tons, but was the result Of spirit rebellious
OF authority, finding expression in unpro-
voked and seemingly concerted persecution
by some Of the parties charged of fellow
cadet Of equal official standing, and equally
entitled to official protection with themselves.
Under the operation of new and benefcent
laws, all distinctions of race have been abol-
ished in our country; the public burdens are
imposed alike upon all of our citizens, aud
the worthy members of every class are alike
entitled to the benefits, and free to contend
for the favor of the Government.
In the exercise of his undoubted legal right,
a member of the National Congress, himself
of African descent nominated to the Naval
Academy cadet of his own color. In recog-
milton of his right, the naval authorities con-
firned the nomination, and at once carefully
and Enthusiastically made known to all at the
Academy that no imposition or indignity upon
the cadet, on account of his race, would be
permitted from any one. AS beneficiaries OF
the Government, under training for future
command, the first duty imposed upon cadet
midshipmen by their situation and profession
is a 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 fell
low-student by system of personal perse-
cution which has found expression in general
insolence Of demeanor, in petty indgnities
and sometimes in acts of personal violence.
AS an impotent protest against the spirit OF
national law, such conduct was folly; as an
insolent expression of superiority to the soli-
tary representative of lately oppressed race,
it was unmanly; as apparently concerted and
acquiesced in by the many against the one,
it looked like cOwarilicc; and as an open de-
iance of the repeated commands of their SUI
periors, it was a violation of that principle of
submission to authority which is the first and
most comprehensive of professional duties.
The Government does not attempt to con-
troll the personal feelings, nor regulate the
personal association of any Of its officers |;
but, while it enacts obedience as a principle
from, those whose services and characters
deserve the highest consideration, it can not
submit to open defiance from the youngest of
its beneficiaries. Certainly the President will
not tolerate at the Academy, under any cir
cumstances, spirit of rebellion against
authority; and whenever such spirit is
manifested in overt action, summary and in
variable punishment must be expected.
The conduct of those cadet midshlpmen
who have been found violating their princi-
Piles and the orders made to enforce them has
been carefully investigated by board of
honorable and experienced officers, and their
findings, as modified by the recommendation
of the distinguished superintendent of the
Academy, will be carried out by the Depart
ment.