The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1880-04-23

will not thank Gen. Henry w. Slocum for
reminding the public that nine. years ago
three cadets were driven out of their beds
at midnight by s'hazing" party, under
the leadership of Frederick Dent Grant,
and 10 very scanty attire marched to the
limits of the post and compelled to wander
about until morning have been ordered
by their tormentors never to return The
alleged shipping of Whittaker's ears was
a very insignificant affair compared with
this midnight and midrwinter outrage.
bat as the victims were unfortunate enough
to be white. their unpleasant experience
attracted little notice and less COM
ment; and the perpetrators OF the
outrage-thanks TO their selection
of leader-escaped with very light pun.
ishment One of the victims was the son
of distinguished army officer, and the
rest were quite up to the cadet average In
every respect; but, though congress pas
sed a resolution recommending the ex-
puIsiop of the principal offenders, young
Grants father-then president-treated it
with supreme contempt, and young Grant
himself is now lieutenant colonel, while
his classmates are still second-lieutenants.
We trust this timely and beautiful illus
traton of rule that does not work both
ways will be duly digested by those Re-
publican organs which are just now pro-
claiming the rights and deuouncing the
wrongs of Whitaker, and holding up 1.-The
prejudice of caste"t to popular reprobation !"
The Republican makes some sharp
points in the above and does not over
reach, either. 1t is fact that to be thought
of any account. or be worthy of help one
must be full fsdged negro. according to
Republican doctrine. There has been too
much of this soldering over the negro-if
be is not capable of caring for himself, he
certainly is not entitled to any more st
tention than whites,
The Republican continuing the subject
of caste. says:
In this connection we may remark that,
| so far as Republican attention is concern
| ed, it is rather disadvantage than other
wise to have a white skin. Hardly q
week passes that white men, women and
children are not starved out" of their old
homes in the Eastern or Midule states and
seek new ones in the far West. Their
departure and arrival are seldom men,
| toned, and whether the change is advan-
tageous or the reverse. nobody but them
selves and their friends knows or cares.
| If they land IN Kansas, Colorado or Ore
gon out of money, the public hat is not
circulated for their benefit. and they are
| left to hoe their own row" as best they
can. But let the Same number Of black
men, women and children leave the South
tor the same reason. and every Republican
| paper hasteDs to chronicle the event, and
then dish it up editorially. If their pockets
| are empty. appeals are made to the char
liable and thew are nursed and ooddled
| like so many unweaued infants The
breaking of negrO's shin pro-
vokes more comment and rouses more
Indignation than the murder of half
dozen whites; and, as we have seen. the
outrage upon three white cadets. though
much more severe than that which black
cadet is said to have endured, did not
create tenth of the excitement Ia the
| former case nothing was done except to
| furnish President Grant an opportunity to
''bulldCze" congress and the West Point
authorities in behalf of bis boy; while the
latter has already occasioned cabinet
| council, and one special com missioner and
two United States district attorneys are
hunting up the guilty parties. L. looks
| very much as if the prejudice of caste"
| had shifted its base of operations, and that
| 10 Republican estimation, men were like
boots-the blacker the better A civil
| rights bill for tho whites will soon become
| an imperative necessity"
1t is time the negroes supported them
selves and demonstrated their ability to
take care of their own living. The down
| trodden African" poor oppressed blacks"
etc., are expressions too stale t. be consio-
Grad