Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1880-04-29
The West Point Affair.

The investigation, since the mutiiaiion OF
the colored cadet Whitaker, has brought to
light an astonishing condition Of affairs in
the National Academy.
While the question as TO who the perpe-
traitors of the outrage were is far from being
satisfactorily settled. no Doubt remains that
the treatment of colored cadets. by their fell
low cadets. has all along been such as to
render life almost intolera c. Only so far
as absolute duty compelled them to do so.
has the colorcd cadet been spoken TO or no.
ticed in any way and every petty device has
been resor,ed to. to make him feel a sense of
inferiority among his fellows.
To such an extent has this been carried
that life a, the Academy. for the eolored
cadet, has been series of daily tortures,
solely because he happened to he born with
a black. rather than white skin. No one
contends thai Whitaker is inferior to the
other cadets in scholarship or department.
but the fact alone that he is colored has
made him an unfit associate for the high
toned Young gentlemen who are. equally
with him. the Nations wards.
That they NIGH, no; desire to make an in
innate friend Of him. As they nigh, not Of
any one else can readily be understood.
bu, tina, they have failed TO show the COM
mon deccncy necessary 10 treat an equal
and. in many cases. a superior, with ordi-
nary cisili,y, simply because he was black.
has given rise 20 . feeling of Indignation all
over the Republican north. An excellent
editorial. on this subject, in HarpsT's HoeIiy
SAYS:
Whatever the rcsul; Of the inquiry.
Whether Whitaker cut himself OF not. it Is
evident that during all his course this Young
American. at a national school, where he Is
entitled 10 precisely ID, same rights with all
his companions. has been practically pro-
scribcd and avoided and dcspiscd. Ike a
leper or a pariah in a >emi-ci,ili1ed COM
munity Apparently, also, this ha, been
done with the tacit c0nnivancc. or without
the protest. Of the officers in charge e the
school"
IF here IN the State Of New York. in a
public school which must count many sons
of ant:->layery parcGis end Republicans
among it. members. trained 81 cf them in
commuuiiie, whose anti slavery sentiment
has been intensified by the var. the race pre-
judice still exists IN IT, most odi0us form. a.
this event at Wcs, Point shows II !, usclc>,
to as>rr; ibe' il docs not affect the welfare
of the c0lorcd oitixvn 10 the old slave States
in the way that has been constants alleged,
The corollary is obvious. This spirit J, a
perpetual menace Of the peace and or,!eE Of
I the country. and Il il Is no; 10 he suppressed
by law. s'ili les viii it bc suppressed ON
tie contrary 1t will be great, stimulated
by committing the Government 10 those who
cherish the prejudice.
The invcs,.gation i. stiii going on and no
effort vill be spared TO ge' At the entire facts
IN the case. I, ]. to b, hoped Iha, the con-
J.uon Of affair, alrcad, brough; to ligh, " u
result ia such change, as viii c;Iccma.!s
break dcpn rsce Distinction that appears
10 have been ptTpetua;cd N III, .ehnoI.
long after II bad ceased 90 rAi,; ia other
part, Of the North !, j, false prlde and
indicate, neither "a good citizen. a gentle
man, ncr scholar.