The weekly Louisianian., 1874-08-29

o IA n
| WEST POINT and CASTE :
| When with the Development Of
Reconstruction the barriers to tie
advancement of the colored Amer.
can as a citizen we're in part over.
thrown; 50 that with representation
in our National Legislature came
some Of the rights accruing to oiti.
senship, the portals OF our National
schools yielded; and the son Of The
condemned Faes under the. burden
Of the fearful dis advantages which
cruel and unreasoning prejudice
imposed, entered TO take his part
with his untrammeled fellows in
the competitive struggle for attain
ment and. culture which the nation
determines in the choice Of those,
who thereafter should be proved
worthily competent in its protec-
ton. -,.:~. -.-.
In the spring Of the year 1870,
the FIRST oolored youth was admitted
to West Point: Appointed. from
South Carolina, young Smith, Who
appears TO have been q boy Of ex-
traordinary mettls and endurance,
became the target for that sort of
opprobious epithet and contumely,
which in spite OF. warning, made
itself too apparent in the conduct
of his fellows.
Overcoming these obstacles to
his continuance insthe Academy by
sheer force OF character; and COM
plying most carefully-except in Zone
instance where grossly insulted and
assaulted he retaliated severely and
in kind upon his agggressor-with it's
rules and requirements, the four
years Of lis. academic course pro-
missed its triumph: in graduation
and the success due the ordeal
through which he had passed.
But this was denied. Visitors at
West Point last June during the
exercises Of the institute,
particularly remarked Smith, who,
rs the ou]y colorkd. student uatu-
tally obtained notice. Doing SO,
those who were careful and judi
cious observers, believing really in
The republican. ideas which should
dominate our government, were
grieved to mark how strongly the
spirit Of caste made itself manifest
both in the ,contemptuous illusions
md studied incidence Of conduct
towards the dark hued student by
lis fellows, and the manner Of his
professor preceptors towards him
a the conduct Of the examination.
These last came to the conclusion
ha* altar . struggle OF fous years young
had bean Every studions, but with
title aptitude" pronounced ''defoent in
philosophy" and therefore discharged the
academy. With an aptitude" that must
rather unpleasing to those concerned,
s it is agreeable to the friends of NJ.
that young gentleman, in the
olumns of the "New National Era" thus
describes his examination:
II was called for examination in
on the 5th OF 9Th Of
June at about 4. 80 p. N. Several
members Of the section of which I
vas u member, were sent to the
blackboard to explain subjects in
[ihsrent parts Of the course. was
allied MP, questioned on the subject
astronomy, ind then sent to the
blackboard, the Instructor. FL
lieut.. D. A. Lyle, of the Second
handing me a slip Of
aper with Oh equation on it, said:
Mr.. Smith, explain the compound
microscope. and discuss the equa-
ion with reference to that micro
/,
took the paper, copied the equa-
ion on the board, and dropped the
aper on, the floor, as I had no i
use for it. I then drew a ,
cure to represent the compound !
and wrote on the black !