The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1880-11-16

and Col. Getty. relative TO West Point
and the artillery school at Fortress
Monroe, Gen. Sherman says: In my
Judgment both OF these institutions are
in As good order as possible, and both
are an honor 10 the country. Ed
ucation must always be the surest basis
Of. national security and honor. The
education and manly training impaired
10 young men at West Point has repaid
the United States thousand times its
cost, and has more than verified the
prediction OF Gen. Washington. From
time TO time periodical complaints
have arisen as to its prejudices, such
as occurred last year in regard TO Col
ored Cadet Whitaker. Thorough, pa
tient and q close investigation, In the
midst OF a tumult Of abuse, resulted in
a perfect vindication Of the authorities
OF that academy. Every cadet at West
Point Is an appointee OF a member of
congress. each member having a cadet
Of his own nomination there, with only
ten appointed by the president at large;
the corps Of cadets is therefore youth
ful counterpart Of our national house OF
representatives. The same laws, same
regulations. and same instruction books,
clothing and food are common TO all,
and n more democratic body never ex-
isted ON earth than is the corps Of ca
diets. Prejudice is alleged against the
colored cadets; prejudice OF race is the
most difficult TO contend against OF any
In this world. There is no more such
prejudlces at West Point than In the
country at large, and the practice OF
equality at West Point Is la advance Of
the rest Of the country. The authori-
ties Of the academy have no voice in
the selection OF candidates and must
receive, train ard educate such as are
sent there, regardless Of nationality,
color or previous condition; 10 discrim-
mate In favor Of a colored boy by rea-
son Of his color, is rs much n violation
OF the fourteenth amendment TO tine
constitution, rs to discriminate against
him. Perfect impartiality being the
rule, and that 1 believe the authorities
ut West Point have endeayored to fol-
low. In this connection / desire TO
state that in my judgment, the re-
quirement that all the enlisted men Of
the 9th and 10th cavalry and of the
Gath and 25th infantry, shall be colored
men, whilst the ofiicnrs are white, Is not
consistent with the amendment OF the
constitution referred to. All men
should be enlisted who are qualified and
assigned to regiments. regardless of
color or previous condition. Such has
been the law and usage In the navy for
years, and the army would soon grow
accustomed to it. No body OF men on
earth has more re everence for the con-
stitution and laws than the army, and
1 pledge my own, and the good faith OF
all in the service, 10 enforce faithfully
every part OF the constitution Of the
United States and every law made in
pursuance thereof. Gen. Schofield Is
abundantly able to enforce the laws and
regulations of the academy. The edu-
cation at Fortress Monroe, under the
supervision Of Col. Getty, is purely pro-
fessional and limited chiefly to the ar
tillery arm Of the service; this educa-
tion cannot be found in another college
in America, and is valuable because the
use Of artillery Is limited to war on a
large scale, and cannot be learned in
our Indian wars or in common life.
When a necessity arises for artillery Of
ficers, rs In our Mexican war and also
our civil war, 1t is sudden and immedi-
ate. This school costs nothing but Or
dinary garrison expenses. l still de-
sire TO establish a similar school for in
fantry and cavalry at Leavenworth
as soon rs the condition Of affairs will
admit.