THE FREEDMEN.
REV. JOS. E. ROY, D.D.,
FIELD SUPERINTENDENT, ATLANTA, GA.
COLORED CADETSHIP.
REV. L. C. LOCKWOOD
[In giving the following letter it will, of course, be understood that neither the A. M. A. nor Gen. Armstrong, nor even the Editor, is committed to the plan suggested. Whether it is policy for the friends of the negro to take up the gauntlet and cross swords in his behalf on all occasions, or to possess their souls in patience while they quietly wait for old prejudices to die, and a more Christian spirit to prevail, may be a doubtful question.
Whether it would be advisable, even if the plan of a military school for colored boys were adopted, to engraft it upon Hampton, or upon any of our present schools, should be thoroughly weighed before decision. But we are glad to hear what Mr. Lockwood, who established our first Freedmen’s School at Hampton, has to say, and print his letter not alone for the interesting anecdote of our lamented Lincoln, but also as suggestive of thought on this important subject.—Ed. Missionary.]
As the first missionary among the Freedmen (then refugees), at Hampton and Fortress Monroe, Va., in 1861–2; I take a great interest in the problem of colored cadetship.
After the persecution to which these cadets have been subjected at West Point, I think wisdom dictates the wide circulation of a petition to Congress, to have a National Military Academy established in connection with the Hampton Institute, under the Presidency of General Armstrong, who has already given that Institute a national reputation. Would not this peaceful way of bringing about the desired end be better than to battle with West Point? In illustration, I offer an unpublished fact that showed Lincoln’s common sense. After his proclamation about the arming of colored troops in 1862, I went to Washington, and in company with Senator Pomeroy, informed the President that the colored people of Hampton were ready to enlist. His memorable reply was: “Yes, but Fortress Monroe is not ready. Pennsylvania is not ready. New York is not ready. The Country is not ready. My proclamation meant this much and no more: Gov. Andrews, of Massachusetts, wishes to arm the Yankee negro; Generals Hunter and Saxton wish to arm a few South Carolina negroes to occupy a post, and relieve the soldiers for active duty. Let them do it. But the rest must bide their time. Please leave your statement with the Secretary of War, and when we are ready we will let you know.” This “making haste slowly” was what brought us through that tug of war, and I would recommend the same common sense in reference to the cadetship. And I hope some influential friend of the cause will second my suggestion, and leave West Point alone in its unenviable glory.