Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1880-04-16
lamraster fntelligemrer.
FRIDAY EVENING. APRIL 10, 1880.
Cadet Whitaker.

The case of Cadet Whitaker does not
furnish much material for great SEN
sation. The damage done to him was
small, though the indignity was great if
he suffered at the hands of others than
himself. If he was the author of his
own injury there would be no need to
feel much surprise or Indignation at his
duplicity; it is no more than could have
been looked for in one of his race and
condition. If he was really assaulted by
Others, as so little injury was done him,
he need not be the object of unusual
sympathy unless he was the victim OF
his fellow cadets. 1t is probably in
view of this latter possibility that the
public mind is excited over the
event. 1t would indicate condition
of feeling among the cadets very discred-
liable to them, and cOwardice and ma
lignity which ought not to be natural to
men educated for army service and un-
der the honorable traditions of army life.
That the white cadets decline social af-
tiliation with cOlOred cadets is notorious,
and that they do so very properly is just
as unquestionable. The government has
no right to interfere with any cadet in
his social predictions. 1t can demand
that he shall abstain from interference
with fellow cadet and can
secure for each one an equal oppor-
tunity of enjoying the benefits of the in
stitution. The sentiment among the
white cadets prohibits them as strongly
rs the laws from interfering with the
cOlOred cadet. Their desire is to ignore
him as much as possible; and therefore
it seems impossible that this assault upon
Whitaker was made by cadets. They
had no possible inducement to any such
performance The sentiment of their own
corps would have unanimously declared
it to be cowardly and degrading.
The theory that Whitaker was bound by
himself OF his confederates is the only
plausible one wich could be adopted,
and we believe that the investigation
will demonstrate its correctness. We
are glad that it has been undertaken, fOl
if this theory is sustained the general
opinion will he that the fewer colored
cadets that are sent to West Point tho
better it will he for the corps; and that is
the fact. There is no propriety in send
ing colored boys there. There is no ad
vantage in putting colored officers into
the army. White men are plenty enough
and good enough, and a pepper and sal,
mixture is not advantageous. Unless
We are ready to advocate the amalgama
tion of the races, we will he wise to re
frain from any effort to put them on ;
social equality. We are not making an.
remarkable progress, outside of Wes
Point, in mixing the socia
circles of whites and blacks, ant
why anybody should desire to hav'
white and black boys eat, sleep ant
live together in that institution we d.
not understand 1t certainly is no
agreeable to either race. If we wan
negro officers let them be educated at
West Point of their own, which the
can have all to themselves with nobod
to Snub them or make them afraid
There are some lunatics who are alway
wanting to force things against nature
We have some of them around here wh
have lately made 4 very useless disturb
ance in the Children's Home by insistin!
on the intimate mingling of the tw'
races in that excellent institution.