The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1880-04-27

which Cadet Whitaker denies with quite ss
much vigor as it is asserted, there is serv-
ed much epithet and rancid English as
dressing. for the officers and graduates
of the institution. to which it it is neither
necessary nor becoming to reply.
Ia CHANGE OF OPINION.
One of your contemporaries but two
years ago was at some pains jim an article
of length to show the democratic nature
of an institution which is only equalled il
representative character bysCongress. It
said:-'1t is now but rarely that the stu
pid cry of privileged class at West Point
is raised. This tendency, per-
fectly republican in character, TO establish
real equality in the United States Military
Academy has been in vogue for the last
twenty years." To-day, however, it finds
the institutions hotbed of ''aristocratic
snobs." together with great deal more
that is undesirable. although, Gas the con.
dltions remain precisely what they were
then, the reason for this astonishing
change of opinion is not clear 10 the facts
Some who probably have never seen the
Academy nor known graduate warm up
to the theme and become Clceronian IN
their periods, while others who have seen
both and know better, play Mephisto to
the rest With it all there is funny obi
WON to the fact that the nation itself is the
parent Of the preiut ices which it execrates
= - - do ha Cd ID
Within the broad limits of the land there
exists no spot where the negro has attain
ed This full privileges. and l have yet to
know the white society which admits to
full participation with few individual
exceptions) and association the colored ele-
% ent in its midst.
NO DISCRIMINATION AGAINST COLORED
CADETS.
Here the facts are simply these:-From
the first moment that'a negro was admitted
into the Military Academy there never
has been a time when he has not received
from all the authorities of the institution
exact aud equal justice with the whites.
Every opportunity and privilege that was
the power of authority could interfere to
insure him fair and equitable treatment
among his fellow cadets it has been exert
ed in bis behalf In one respect coercion
was powerless-that is, to compel social
iutercourse-and in that respect his lot
was one of isolation, | firmly believe,
however, that in the course of few years
the natural sympathy and manliness OF
human nature will obliterate that last
barrier and accord every colored cadet the
association which his character and habits
warrant. So far as the authorities of the
Academy are concerned more than simple
Justice has been melted them. A leniency
which would not have been extended TO
white cadet has been exerted in their
behalf OUT OF sympathy for their peculiar
position. and the testimony Of Cadet Whit
saker is on record as to the equity of his
treatment and his convictions concerning
the future.
JUSTICE WITHOUT OUTSIDE ASSISTANCE,
If any portion of the public were more
indignant at the outrage perpetrated, or
are more nearly concerned in the stain
which the occasion seems to cast upon the
Academy. than the officers. graduates and
cadets, | have yet to know it. nor do
believe that any feel as ardent desire to
discover the whole truth concerning it.
His case is being investigated by legally
constructed court, and no stone is being
left unturned to trace out the guilty. The |
Court is not. however, in any sense a court |
of trial; it can neither pronounce verdict |
or sentence. It's function is purely inquis- |
itorlal, and although with plenary power of
investigation and authority to summon and |
swear witnesses, its work is simply to report |
for the guidance of the power converting |
it. If criminals elsewhere were as sure
of the uttermost limit Of the law upon con-
public peace would be less frequently
broken. Of one thing the country may be
assured, that Cadet Whitaker has re-
ceived, does receive and will continue to
receive the most absolute and impartial
Justice; that the authorities governing the
army aud the Academy perfectly COM
petent to carry out the ends of justice with
out further assistance from outside, and
that the victim is not in need of sympa>
thy, counsel or assistance,
There has been considerable reiteration
of the statement that those connected
with the Academyssare violently convinced
of the guilt of Cadet Whitaker, speak
from personal experience when / assert 1
that with the exception of those called to
his room doubt any individual here be
Iieved it for a moment. until knowledge
Of the circumstances seemed in the minds
Of many to point toward him. and at the
present moment should be surprised to
ind one who did not hold his Judgment in
have no doubt motive, to
which may be traced much of the acerbity
shown toward West Point lies in the in
flexible justice of its methods and the
mpsrtiaiity of its judgments by which
many are annually dismissed for failure
To reach its standard That fb;s shond