Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1875-03-05
Expulsion of Cadet Gordon Claude from
the Naval Academy.


Progress at times makes rapid strides, and
for ages it has been n trueism, that just iu
proportion as that toward which it tends is
wrong, so is the momentum increased. One
Heintz, a master Of fencing at the Naval
Academy, orders Mr. Claude TO fence with the
coiored cqdet, which honor Mr.. Claude declines,
which no doubt fencing master Heintz thought
very grave offence, and 80 reported TO the
officers Of the institu,ion. WbcreuPon the
chivalrc officers in charge ordered Mr. Claude
to apologize to this colored cadet, and as an
additional penalty, he should 20 through the
manual with him, before the whole class
which Mr.. Claude refused to do. The An
Dapolis letter 10 the Baltimore Gazette, FROM
which this information is derived would seem
ingiy give credit TO Rear Admiral Rogers,
in charge of the Academy, for saying " Mr..
Claude was an honorable young man -
whereupon the papers were sent to Washing
ton and returned in hot haste with orders for
the expulsion Of Mr.. Claude
Who is this fencing master Heintz7 We
should take il for granted he is some high
toned gentleman, possessed fully Of the mer-
ceuary character Of the present age, in whose
eyes money supplies all else. In his hours
when not engaged in the Naval Academy we
judge he has class Of high-toned colored
gents inpartng to them his magic skin in The
imagine him truly happy with a sable damsel
on his arm, and If he is permitted to visit the
Rear Admiral and The other officers we should
suppose the acme OF his happiness would be
on such visits to have .hem pay the most pro-
found respect to him and his Dinah What
q grand competitor he would have made for
the prize offered by Claudius. Unlike Laerles
he would not have needed 10 anneint his
sword with an junction so mortal that but
dip knife in it, where il draws blood no
cataplasm so rare, collected from all simples
shall have virtue under the moon TO save the
thing from death that is but scratched sithal
To have parted raper with fencing master
Heintz, Hamlet would have died without the
scratch or poison JUNCTION.
A word in regard 10 the action of Rear
Admiral Rogers. We must accord TO him
the qualities of a gentleman by nature and
education, but IL he is n command of that
institution and invested with power to regu-
late and manage the course Of conduct stud
les, ETC., of the cadets, there mist be some
thing radically wrong by which three Of the
white cadets have been sacrificed to this col
rrad IL a
prised. History tells and teaches that the
honors paid 10 the dignitaries of Africa are
the sacrifice OF human beings Our Admiral
may be acting upon the principle, that in
well managed geological garden each animal
must have preserved TO it as near as possible
the requisites which nature supplied in its
normal condition. II we must have African
dignitaries, we must have also the accustomed
sacrifices. But, again, he should be mindful
that rs the United States at this time is with
out ships fora navy, we can't afford 10 be
without officers also. In The event OF war we
can build and buy navy, but We could moi
wait to rear and educate officers. 1t would,
perhaps, be well for him to experiment awhile
without the usual sacrifices Again, as the
commander Of this institution his action, his
association, his conduct, should all be exam
pies for the cadets 10 emulate
Does Admiral Rogers take upon equality the
colored citizens Do they visit his mansion
Do they eat at his family board? Do lhey
form part OF the guests at his entertainments
II he has daughters, does he permit them to re-
eeive the social attentions of the colored GAL
lans2 If he has sons does he permit them to
pay court TO the sable damsels2 II he can in
good conscience answer these heterogeneous
in the affirmative, then justice demands that
be should have credit for his conduct in the
case Of Mr. Claude Il, on the contrary, he is
compelled to answer them in the negative,
how great The wrong he has perpelra,ed
Why should he AJAX or require yonng Claude
10 do that which he would not do himself? In
these United States there is no nohliiy-therc
each Anglo Saxon makes for himself; but there
lie distinction of rsces--natures God has
made ii, with an impress indestructble, and
which would laugh to scorn all attempts Of
Admiras and Rear dmrals TO tlot out I'm
til Admiral Rogers can accomplish this mira.
Gle, do not lei him ask youth of Maryland
to do that which he dare not recognize him.
self OF ancestry, Rogers can not look back
with more pride than young Claude can I,
his grandfather II difference and distinction
spring from blood, then san Claude say be ii
the descendant OF Que Who for social position
virtue, integrity and bravery stood The peer o
any man. Why, Admiral Rogers, ask thi.
young man to become the social equal Of /
eolored man why try 10 make him do tina
which his association, his education hi:
training, aye, The example Of YOURSELF hav,
taught him was not to be tolerated by tn,
recognized customs OF society, which is strong
er than law
This subject is one not merely personal to
young Claude, but il is one of interest to III,
Anglo Saxon race OF the nation-it is ar in.
dignity aud insult to the State of Maryland
If President Grant must have colored officer,
let him found special academy for them
and we are certain If be will propose Admiral
Rogers aud fencing master Heintz to run
such an Institution be can get the unanmou.
vote Of Maryland in their favor for the posi-
lions
CoRREsrosDExrs.-Wh we are at all times
glad to have the views Of our friends in III,
county or elsewhere upon subjects of genera