第76章

All these reports about my bad treatment there, especially in Southern newspapers, are absolutely false.

"'I will read and comment upon some of these articles.

In The Constitution of last Saturday it said I had the hardest four years of any cadet who ever passed through the Academy. That is in some respects true, but not wholly so. Speaking of Ben Butler's son, I am proud to say that among the three hundred cadets I hadn't a better friend than the son of the Massachusetts statesman.

(Applause.) As to Mr Bigelow's son, mentioned here, Iknow him well, and his whole family--his father, the distinguished ex-Secretary of State, his mother and his two sisters, and have met them at their home. Mrs.

Bigelow, recognizing my position, and thinking to assure my feelings, sent me a nice box of fruit with her compliments.'

"He then commented on articles from Beecher's Christian Union, the New York Tribune, Harper's Weekly, and the New York Telegram, characterizing many of their statements about himself as false.

SOCIAL EQUALITY IN THE ARMY.

"The article last named was about social equality in the army. Flipper said that he was cordially met by the army officers in Chattanooga. In return he paid his respects to the commandant and was introduced and shown through the barracks. He was treated with every courtesy.

"'How it is here you have all seen as I walked about the city. I have walked with the officers of the garrison here several times today, even up and down Whitehall Street, and one of them invited me into Schumann's drug store, and had a glass of soda together. I know it is not a usual thing to sell to colored people, but we got it. (Laughter and applause.) And to-night as Mr. J. O.

Wimbish and myself were coming to the hall, we met with one of the officers at the corner, and went into Schumann's again. We called for soda-water, and got it again! (Applause.) And I called at the barracks, through military courtesy, and paid my respects to the commandant.

I understand that the officers there have had my case under consideration, and have unanimously agreed that Iam a graduate of the national Academy, and hold a commission similar to their own, and am entitled to the same courtesy as any other officer. I have been invited to visit them at their quarters to-morrow. These things show you something of social equality in the army, and when this happens with officers who have lived in the South, and had opportunity to be tainted with Southern feeling, I expect still less trouble from this source when I reach my regiment and among officers who have not lived in the South and had occasion to be tainted in this way. The gentlemen of the army are generally better educated than the people of the South.'

"He spoke of his graduation and of the applause with which he was greeted. He closed by thanking his audience.

FLOURISHING HIS FLIPPER.

"Then Flipper was escorted upon the floor, and the announcement was made that all who desired could now be introduced to the youth.

"The first man to receive this distinguished honor was George Thomas, the Assistant United States Attorney. He was followed closely by several Northern school-marms and teachers, and a host of the colored people. "After shaking, the crowd took ice-cream and cake and adjourned.

Sic transit!"

I pass over the preceding article with the silent contempt it deserves. Some of the papers commented upon it. I give two such articles:

(From the Atlanta (Ga.) Republican.)

"The Atlanta Constitution, true to principle, comes out in a slanderous attack upon Lieutenant Flipper.

In its issue of Tuesday, July 10th, it calls him a fraud. Would to heaven we had ten thousand such frauds in Georgia for the good of the State and progress in general!

"It takes exception, too, to the manner in which the colored lieutenant appeared at the reception given by the colored people in his honor. He was 'lavishly dressed in full regimentals,' it says, 'with gold cord.

He sat upon the stage with his massive and ponderous sword, looking like Wellington or Grant in war council.

He made remarks uncalled for and distasteful.' Oh dear!

Oh!

"Now we (that is I, this individual, Mr. Editor, for I would not assume your grand editorial pronoun)should like to know how the Constitution would have the young officer dress. Surely it was entirely proper and becoming that he should appear in full regimental cap, coat, boots, spurs, and all, full fledged, just as he issued forth from West Point.

"In the first place it was a novel sight for the colored people. Surely the Constitution would not rob us of the privilege and pleasure of seeing in full military costume the first and only one of our race who has been permitted to pass through West Point with honor.

"In regard to the ostentatious manner in which the lieutenant conducted himself on that evening, nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, the general comment of the evening by both black and white was on the modesty of his bearing.

"It is not strange, however, that the Constitution, whose judgment and sense of right and justice have been perverted through years of persistent sinning, should see things in a different light.

"The 'uncalled for and distasteful' remarks were doubtless those made in regard to the fact that Northern people coming into contact with Southern prejudice are tainted by it, and that West Pointers are generally better educated than the Southern people. Of course this would stir up the wrath of the Constitution; for what could be more hateful in its sight than truth?

"JUSTITIA."

(From the New York World.)

Lieutenant Flipper would have shown better sense if he had not made any speech at Atlanta. But if he was to make any speech at all upon the subject of his treatment at West Point, it could scarcely be expected that he should make one more modest, manly and sensible than that which is reported in our news columns."Here are two other articles of the abusive order from the Southern press:

(From the Griffin (Ga.) News.)