New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1874-08-13
Bravery and Honor at West Point

The three letters Of Cadet Smith, published
in our columns, give an insight to the posi-
ton Of West Point in regard to cadets repre-
senting race comprising one-eighth Of the
citizens of the United States. That the Off
GERS at West Point were eager to find an ex-
cuse for getting rid Of Cadet Smith because
of his race and color, we do not doubt. That
they will be as Jealous to prevent the gradu-
alton of other colored cadets, We feel to be
true. Thus we have one government insti-
tuition, supported by the taxes of all the
people, making invidious and cowardly dis
examinations in favor of one class of citizens
and against another class that obtained its
title to citizenship in no different manner
from the former class.
The wonder is that the officials at West
Point did not in the interest of correct disci-
pline, if for nothing else, prevent the display
of tyranny and abuse by the superior
race" against Smith. Instead, Smith was
made the victim of the vengeance of the
authorities at the Point, whenever he uttered
a complaint.
In speaking of the Smith case, the Sunday
Gazette, Of this city, says: ave take no
stock in the implied censurc which Cadet
Smith or his friends may attempt to cast on
the Secretary Of War. On the contrary, we
feel sure he intends to be just and fair in
this as in all other matters that come under
his Jurisdiction. Cadet Smith may think he
has not been fairly treated, and it is quite
possible his situation at West Point has been
made uncomfortable through his white sur
roundings; but this springs from the person
al prejudices Of his associates, and cannot be
reached by external power. Certainly no
mere implication against the War Depart
ment was going to make anybody believe
that it would deliberately conspre for his
defeat"
So far as the Secretary of Warts concerned.
the truth is that he was not present when
Cadet Smith was examined. His informa-
ton in regard to the examination necessarily
comes from the examiners themselves, who
declare Cadet Smith incompetent. The Sec
rotary of War, we do not for moment be-
lieve, can be ignorant of the anti-negro feel
ing at West Point, and because of his knowl-
edge of such feeling, he should have used
the utmost care in scrutnizing the return Of
the examiners against man whose history
at West Point is full Of cowardly and dishon
orable treatment by cadets under the authori.
| ty of the men who report against Smith. II
is idle to pretend that the brutality of the
cadets could not have been reached by the
authorities at West Point. The dismissal of
Cadet Smith is the triumph Of the brutality
which the authorities governing West Point
failed to punish. and through such failure con
nived at the unmanly conduct of the white
cadets.
Cadet Smith would have received kline
treatment in any military academy in the
world, outside of the United States. 1t has
been suggested that the colored people Of thu
country pay the expense of sending to, ant
maintaining Smith in some military school in
Europe. We believe this would be gooC
thing to do. We are satisfied that Cadet
Smith is a young man Of ability and tina
nothing but the cowardly feeling of negro
hate secured his dismissal from West Point