Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1880-04-27
WEST POINT.

West Point Military Academy, Is noteu
for graduating snobs, and officers who
lord it over civilians, who have paid the
taxes by which these gentlemen were
supported during their sojourn on the
Hudson, and by whom they are to be
supported in after life, as they occupy
military posts of pleasure. 1t Is true a
few military men of note. like Robert T..
Lee. have graduated from West Point.
and have made a name for themselves
and fame for the nation by their exploits.
But Notwithstanding this, there has been
a growing impression in the minds OF
many, that the institution was not dong
for the country what it should do, IN
return for the fabulous sums expended
upon il. This claim of superiority made
by " est Pointers, has not been relished
by taxpayers, and has led them to believe
that the educational system was not just
what il should be.
During the past few weeks. the correct
ness Of this view has been veriiied oy an
occurrence at IVES, Point, which has as
sumed a national interest. A colored
cadet was found in his nom, tied hand
and foot. gagged, with one OF his ears
cut of and the other ear shit. When
The Young man was released. ne stated
that three masked men entered his room
q, night and thus mal,rea,ed him, remark
ing that be should be marked as they
mark pigs, in the South. A court OF
INQUIRY was Immediately called, and the
frs, report from it was that young Whit
,aker did the deed himself IA la Dea.
Barron Of Dexter. At this the North
ern newspapers howled, and demanded
further investigation. This was granted,
and the matter is still in hand.
So far it has been shown that the col
ored cadet has lead dreary life Of It, at
the school. His fellow students have
declined To even converse with him. ex-
cep; when duty demanded 1t. They
believe with the Southerners, evidently,
tina, this is a white mans government.
of course this state OF affairs could not
have existed without the knowledge OF
those in charge of the institution, and
they are alike guilty with the students.
The plain people" of this country do
not Ike the looks of this thing They
believe tina, we have now reached the
point where all men are free and equal
before the law. both socially and polit-
ically. II this il specimen OF the
training given at West Point, the instl-
tuition will be shortly abolished by popu-
lar demand. If i, is no, abolished. manly
instructors should be placed in charge.
and the next batch Of students sent there
should all be colored men.
The Taunton Gazette remarks:
IL the statement is true that 200 North
ern bows succumb 10 40 Southerners, the
sooner that school West Point Is squelch-
ed the better The people ought 10 rise
and tear down the Infamous nuisance, and
the 100 towards ought To I've branded with
The usark OF bastard or slave, 50 they may
never la mistaken for deceut representa-
lives Of the country.
In the course Of his sermon last Sun
day, Rev. Henry Ward Beecher spoke as
follows Of the outrage upon Cadet Whit
taker
els there so piteous 4 spectacle in his
tory a. that presented AZ West Point: A
Young man is shamefully wronged and
abused, and instead Of being defended Is
treated as though he himself were the cul-
prit IL son Of a statesman were IN this
predicament do YOU think he would De
accused OF Sitting his own ears, without
a shadow Of proof, upon nothing IN the
world but theory theory so miserable
that three-fourths OF the papers OF the
United States put their heel upon II, God
bless them? Applause. DIR. Fulton took
his two daughters to West Point and said
20 Whitaker: i want you 10 know that
there are two ladies who sympathiZe with
YOU He wept like a child, and said 10
was the first mark Of kindness he had ever
received nom a white person Al that place.
In the proud State OF New York, where
churches swarm, he has been treated like
this He has been as absolutely alone as
though he were in desert! do not lay
any special blame on the officers, but what
a condition OF affairs when there has not
been moral courage enough 10 make any
one there stand by him. The newspapers
have done their duty well, and | thank
them In the name Of God and humanity for
their action. This thing is not going 10
live. More colored men will be sent to
West Point than ever before. Applause.
We ,ciH have them there. We have receiy-
ed them As citizens and they shall have the
right Ia study and develop. They shall
plead in the courts and practice medicine
and be officers In the army. II white men
do not like il let them leave. Applause.
1 plead here and through the press Ina be-
half OF the Cinnamon, the Indian and the
Negro.
NJ r.rr-arrrc DIR The