The daily gazette., 1880-04-28
the COLOR LINE.
An Effort to Define Il at West
Point.


YOUTHS.
WASHINGTON, April 26.---In the
Senate to-day, when the bill authoriz-
ing retired list for non-cOmmissioned
officers of the army was under consid-
eretion, Mr.. Allison, of Iowa, offered
an amendment that, in addition to the
number of cadets at the West Point
Academy now authorized by law, the
President shall each year appoint two
colored cadets at large.
Mr.. Salisbury thought the amend
ment of the Senator from Iowa in
tended to break up the Academy, and,
if adopted, it would be likely to ac-
complish that object. He heard it
proclaimed few days ago that there
was no association there between the
white and colored cadets. This was
natural, end would occur everywhere
the two races were thrown together
The fact is, enforced association is i'm
possible. There may be disposition
on the part of white men to associate
W tn the colored men, and whenever
that disposition prevails the associa-
tion will take place, but, unless there
is that disposition, you cannot inn
plant it in the breast of the white man
by legislation; and if you send colored
cadets to West Point in any consider
able number the consequence will be
that parents will withdraw their sons,
or that the sons will themselves with
draw. If the Academy is intended to
promote love between the races, it
might as well be dispensed with but,
if it is to promote the efficiency of the
army, think we ought to legislate in
way that will accomplish that pur-
pose. This feeling, in my Judgment, is
utterly ineradicable. 1t may be pre-
judice, but it is implanted in then
bosom; it is in their being. What is
the use of our attempting by force or
statutes to do that which persons
themselves do not desire to do in re-
ference to their associations? These
colored cadets might go there and
have associations, but they will not
have that congenial association pleas
ant to them. 1t does not promote
the comfort of either race to enforce
their association. 1t was an act of
cruelty to send Whitaker to that in
slitution, knowing, as those who
placed him there must have known,
that he would occupy an isolated pos
ition there. have no doubt the pro-
fessors gave him all the recognition
that was proper, and made his condi-
tion as comfortable as possible, but it
was utterly impossible to place a
vni1nn cnlnra1 ,nan IN avooo;o+; ION
with a large number of white young
men and expect them to receive him
into their company and association. /
understood the other day from re-
marks on the other side of the cham
ber that he had no association. This
is not feeling peculiar to the white
people of the South, but it resides
just as thoroughly in the people of the
NorSh. Enforced association, l re-
peat, in this country between the
races is impossible, and l say I am
glad it is so, because the interest Of
both races requires that there should
be distinctions between them in their
associations. l do not believe it will
promote the interest of the colored
man to bring him in social intercourse
with the white man. He will receive
all the sympathy of the white man
that his merit entities him to, and l
would be glad to see their condition
improved. have no sentiment against
the colored man. Because l speak
frankly, / do not wish it understood
that have the least unkind feeling
for them. have always treated them
with courtesy and kindness.
Mr.. salisbury then proceeded to
oppose the bill itself, The taxpayer
was being utterly neglected in the
mania for granting pensions. The
army was practically being made a
privileged class. II also seemed to
him that the tariff made, at the expense
OF the taxpayers, pensioner of every
He wished that the
toiling millions might be reused to a
of what was being done
with their money.
Mr.. Allison said that he had offered
the amendment in good faith. He
wished that there should be some
declaration by Congress as to what
should be the policy of West Point
Colored youths, he continued, are ad-
mitted to every college in the United
States. l see no reason why they
should be excluded from West Point.
Mr.. Harris--Are they excluded?
Mr.. Allison-I propose to state af- |
that they shall not be ex-
cluded. They are not excluded by law
but they are practically, and have been
for many years.
Mr.. Hereford-Who practically ex-
,luded them? Has not your party had
he President all the time Who had
the power to appoint these men?
Mr.. Allison-I do not intend to 60
into any party discussion of this ques-
ton. trust it will be considered
above and beyond party lines. The
question is whether or not we shall
make a legislative declaration that it
IS the public policy of the Government
Of the United States that the colored
man shall have the same access to the
school of the United States
that the white youth has.
Mr.. Hereford-That is the law now.
Mr.. Maxey-As the Senator from
Iowa says he acts in good faith, and l
trust do, ask him whether, in face,
of the constitutional provisions against
between the races, Con-
gress can pass an act compelling the
President to appoint colored men.
Mr.. Alison-I do not think there is
any constitutional difficulty in the way.
The President, if we give him authori-
ty, can undoubtedly appoint two col