Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1880-11-27
SCHOFIELD'S QUALMS,
An Argument Against His Colored Cadet
Theory.

All argument hSalnhC HIS COlOred Cadet
The Independent.
General Schofield's annual report
proves that he is not fit man to be at
the head Of West Point academy. He
does not represent civilization, but bar
barism.
We do not complain of Gen. Schofield's
seminary of the case of Cadet Whitta-
ker. The evidence st1stains the conclu-
sion that this silly fellow bound and
mutilated himself, We have no words
of excuse for him. He was unworthy
the sympathy he received. But General
Schofield's treatment Of the question of
prejudice against color is unworthy of a
christian. not to say gentleman.
| It is social intercourse" which is
General Schofeld's bugbear. He says:
'"The military academy cannot be made
favorable place at which to first intro
duce social intercourse between the white
and black man. West Point will at the
most, only be able to follow the example
of the country at large in this respect"
.. What is this social intercourse" he is
afraid of? He explains its most trouble
some feature:
I'm their zeal and sincere desire to
carry out the policy of the government,
the authorities of the military academy
have heretofore gone too far in enforcing
personal associations between white and
black cadets, without regard to preju.
dice, especially at the mess table. In
respect to quarters, the more reasonable
rule has always been observed of not re.
quiring any cadet, againt his will, to oc-
cupy the same sleeping apartment with
another. The same rule should have
been adopted in respect to seats at the
mess table,"
This is the worst of it, then, that the
colored cadets are allowed to sit at the
same table with their white fellows, and
in this thing the general imagines that
West Point has been forcibly put in
advance of the country.
But this is not the fact. It is not true
that at our NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. generally
colored man is not allowed perfect 80.
cial equality. Harvard and Yale stand
at the head of our universities. At both
Of these institutions colored students sit
by the side of white in rotations; and
at Harvard where the public mess sys.
tens prevails, at meals. There is nc
social prescription at either place. The
prejudice is, to this extent. al.
| lcauS COulucIcu Ut our UeSt
schools. The question is
not whether West Point shall introduce
a reform, but whether it shall be the last
refuge Of prescription and ostracism
The nation, which has decreed that the
colored man shall be free, has decreed
that he shall have equal educational
privileges at the schools supported by
the nation. If General Schofeld cannot
support that policy, then he had better
be relieved.
We want no favor, showed to black
man more than to white. If a negro
connot hold his own on fair terms with
white at West Point, then let him GO
and let the road be made no smoot6e
to him than to q white boy. But h
must have fair chance if he must hay
equal privileges; and General Scho6eld'
argument against admitting the negro +
West Point until the social prejudic
has been socially overcome is what tn
American people cannot for a momen
allow.