The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1880-05-13
The Affair at West Point


The Affair at West Point.
The consequences of the Whitaker
incident at West Point will not enc
with the investigation, even if it shal
establish beyond question that Whit.
taker tied and cut himself in order tc
get better chance at later examina-
ton. If this shall be proved, it will
be seen that the young man was a
foolish fellow, but it will be seen also
that the form which his folly took is
a severe reflection upon the authori-
ties and cadets of the institution, be-
cause it would show that the general
treatment he had received made such
an assault upon him probable and
plausible assertion. Indeed, whatever
the result of the inquiry, whether
Whitaker cut himself or not, it is
evident that during all his course this
young American, at national school
where he is entitled to precisely the
same rights with all his companions,
has been practically prescribed and
avoided and despised, like a leper or a
parlah III a semi-civilized community
Apparently, also, this has been done
with the tacit conniyance, or without
the protest, Of the officers in charge
Of the school.
Now our view Of American equality
does not require that our choice of
social companions should be regulated
by law. But our view of manhood
does hold that there is nothing more
unspeakably mean than to indulge the
prejudice of race and color; and to
prescribe a comrade because African
blood flows in his veins is as unworthy
a gentleman as to despise him because
he is poor. The number of West Point
is limited, we believe, to two hundred
and fifty; and according to the I'M
c0ntradicted and repeated statements,
since the Whitaker affair, not one of
these scions of the superior race" with
/ every advantage and feeling and ira
dition in favor Of his color, has been
even decently courteous to the one
youth whose only offense was darker
skin, and who was sprung in some de-
gree from the most unhappy and most
wronged race in history. If. as is
alleged, Whitaker has endured this
treatment throughout his course, and
has personally done nothing to iusti-
fy any kind Of ostracism, he has
shown a moral pluck and genuine
luanliness which any Of his white
comrades might be proud to have dis
played, and Of which their treatment
of him shows no sign whatever. We
must all await the decision Of the
board Of inquiry as to his specific
guilt in the incident which has arous-
ed public attention. But the whole
weight Of presumption, based upon
his treatment hitherto, and increased
| by the alacrity Of the Superintendent
to discredit his story, is in favor of its
truth. It may appear incontestably
that Whitaker tied and wounded HIM
self, but what will dispose Of the fact,
as yet uncontIadicted, that the cadets
have shown a spirit toward him which
iustifes the impassioned criticisms of
Senators in Congress of both parties?
There is one aspect Of sthis matter
which deserves attention. Whenever
we have argued that the white citi-
zens in the southern States are really
responsible for the wretched political
condition Of those States, and for the
whole shameful catalogue of ku-KluX-
cry in every kind and degree, we
have been told that the colored citi-
zens were generally well treated, and
| that the mischief was all made by
carpet-baggers and Northern political
tramps. We have cited the most I'M
partial witnesses, like Sir George Cam
bell. and observers who could have no
political bias of any kind, but we have
been told that strangers knew and
could know nothing. We have point
ed to the colored exodus and its unan-
swerable significance, but the reply
has been that its cause was anything
but i'll treatment. Now If here in
the State Of New York, in a public
school which must count many sons
Of antislavery parents and Republi-
cans among its members, trained all
Of tn m in commodities whose anti
slavery sentiments has been intensified
by the war, the race prejudice still ex-
ists in its most odious form, as this
at West Point shows, it IS useless to
assert that it does not effect the well
fare of the colored citizens in the old
Slave States in the way that has been
constantly alleged. The corollary is
obvious. This spirit IS a perpetual
menace Of the peace and order of the
country. and if it is to be suppressed
by law. still less Will it be suppressed
on the contrary, it will be greatly
5timulated-by committing the gov
ernment to those who cherish the
prejudice. 1t is useless to say that
the antipathy of race is stronger in
the Northern than in the Southern
States. The Black Codes, the Ku-
Klux, bulldozing, and the tissue bal
lot are the answer. West Point is a
public school. The government
which sustains it recognizes no dis
tinction between the pupils whom it
admits The officers in charge are
morally bound to represent this dis
position IN their official conduct, and
no pupil should ask to be instructed
there at the public expense who will
not honorably conform to the under
standing upon this subject. The
cadets are not bound to choose as
associates those whom they do not
like, but they are bound, as gentle
men and Americans, to treat innocent
and well-behaved comrades, who, like
themselves, are public benefiCialies
with deeent courtesy. And t ths