The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-06-07
PLEA FOR WHITAKER.
st. Louis Republican.

Mr. johnson C.. Whitaker ex-cadet of
the United States Military academy, is
about to enter the lecture field, and is an
nounced to speak very soon at Buffalo on
1.-THE Color Line at West Point" We re
greet to notice, on the part of leading re-
publican journals, cynical indifference
toward him and his subject which, under
the circumstances of the case, merits Sc
we're condemnation. Mr.. Whitaker is en-
titled to better treatment from those who,
but little while ago, were ready to
avenge his alleged wrongs by abolishing
the institution which owes its existence to
the foresight of Washington, and which
has abundantly indicated the wisdom of
that foresight in three wars, as well as in
assistance rendered to the arts and sciences
of peace. He is historical parsonage of
no small consequence, having been
the indirect means of removing
from the SUPPLEMENTARY, of the
military academy one of our most
distinguished soldiers -SchofieId-and fill
ing the vacancy with one of considerably
less distinction-Howard. He has also OBJ
tanned favors from the government in the
shape of an extra court-martial, legal
counsel and Communication of sentence such
as no white cadet ever enjoyed, thereby
proving to the world that n, republican es-
timation black is the best color of the two,
except in cases involving the distribution
of offices Therefore, when Mr.. Whitta-
ker proposes to travel literally ION his
ear" and, using these auricAlar append
ages as a text to enlighten the ignorant
masses concerning the "diabolicaf tyran-
ny" of which he is the alleged victim, the
republican press is bound by every eonsid-
Grafton of honesty and honor TO rally
round him as if he were part and parcel of
"the old flag" To ignore him simply be-
cause impartial and exhaustive investiga-
ton has demonstrated his title to the belt
as champion liar is an inexeusable insult to
him and the great principles he represents
Republican journals should assume, re-
gardless of facts and figures that the
court-martial, like the court of inquiry,
was "a base conspiracy" designed to con-
ceal the grievous crime committed upon
the person of young colored gentlemen
and at the same time discourage the col
ored race from attempting to win the
glories and emoluments pertaining to a sol
dier's life. They should find in his ears a
fountain of inspiration; instead of laugh
ing at them and their owner, endeavor to
give both that warm place in the hearts of
the American people their unique services
have so richly earned. Much, very much.
depends upon the success of Mr.. Whitaker
as lecturer Should he be suppressed by
lack of patronage he may have to scrape
chins saw wood, blacken boots, or
whiten walls for a living. Worse than this,
his suppression, coupled with. his en-
forced retirement from the academy,
may be accepted by his brethA
rem as official notification that military
education at public expense is not for
them; and what would West Point be
without a colored cadet? Almost, if not
quite, as lonely as "home without moth
err
The fortunes of Mr.. Whitaker and the
fate of the color line" are in republican
hands. Heretofore they have been entirely
safe there, but certain unpleasant signs in
dictate that these hands are weakening and
liable to drop their burden very hard. 1t is
to be hoped they will be strengthened be-
for it is eternally too late. Let the New
York Tribune, which damned West Point,
Schofield and the white cadets with most
refreshing JUNCTION, take the journalistic
lead of a new Whitaker movement and Sc
cure for him such a magnificent debut at
Buffalo as will make Ingersoli, Beeher, tai
mage and other popular orators look to
their laurels. If our kind suggestions are
not needed and Whitaker is sat down up
on at Buffalo by light audience and
lighter contribution box we shall soften
fault does not lie at Democratic doors, but
is the exclusive property of his republican
friends.