Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-04-14
The Yves, Point investigation.


THE SOCIAL ASPECT OF THE COLOR QUESTION AT
WEST POINT.
There is good deal OF feeling among officers
OF the army here about the manner in which the
Whitaker investigation at West Point is dis
cussed They regard much OF what has been
said on this subject as an attempt OF the enc
mics Of West Point to injure it by any means
Gen. Schof1eld is most honorable officer and is
doing his best to find out the true inwardness
Of the matter under investigation. The methods
OF military inquiries are somewhat different
from those conducted by civil authorities and
are lot as well understood. Everything is be-
ing done to have full and fair invesliga-
tion. Gen. Schof1eld has not started out
with the presumption that Whitaker mutt
lated himself. He and the court OF inquiry are
actuated by the desire to find out who commit
ted the outrage: not by desire to convict Whit.
taker as it is repeatedly stated If the latter
were the case the President and the Secretary
OF War would soon relieve them all OF any
further trouble about the matter and put Ii into
the hands OF somebody else. THE STAR reporter
to-day asked prominent army officer what he
thought OF the case. He said that he Should
rather ask that question of the reporter as the
newspapers, especially the ultra republican
neWspapeIt, seem to be conducting the investi-
CATION. The reporter assured him that THE
STAR was not an ultra republican newspaper
Vel, he said, 81 have formed no theory
ABOUT 1t. am content to wait for the result OF
the inquiry now being conducted. Whitaker
either mutilated himself orsomebody else did. !
belleVe General SchOTield will find out what are
exactly the facts. Then whoever is guilty.
should be- and am confident will be, punished
IN such manner that no one viii mud any
fault" Wy
The reporter asked about Whittaker's general
treatment at West Point.
"lt has been the same as that OF all other
colOred cadets. He has been treated with ali
the courtesy that any other cadet has received
III an Official way. The point, believe in OIL
cial intercourse is generally strained in favor OF
the colored cadet.'
But the principal point made against West
Point is that the cadets do not associate with
the youth of color"
They do not. The question of social inter-
course and friendship between cadets is some
thing which cannot be controlled at West Point
any more than elsewhere. None Of the cadets
elther northern or southern, saw f1t to make
friends with him. They could not be Compelled
TO- AS matter OF fact, would ask where VIII
you md white gentleman who Is willing. to
associate socially with the colored people,to
visit them and have their families visited
by them? None OF the people who are railing
al west Point because the cadets do not asso.
clate with the colored appontees would be will
Ing to do that which they blame the white
caCet at West Point for not doing. | have the
greatest respect and consideration for the colored
people: but would not want to associate with
man. Human nature is to the contrary: when
human nature Is changed then you may expect
the colOred cadet at West Point TO be treated as
a social equal; but not before At the same
ume you may expect those who are now CRYING
Gown tne cadets for not affiliatlng with the
cOlored inmates OF the military academy TO in
vite tner c0lored fellow citizens to dinner with
terms"