henry ossian flipper-第36节
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ion on my part I was still the object of solicitous care。 My falling in there did not preclude the possibility of my own classmates； now also risen to the dignity of third…classmen； falling in next to me。 To perfect his plan； then； the first sergeant had the senior plebe in the company call at his 〃house；〃 and take from the roster an alphabetical list of all the plebes in the company。 With this he （the senior plebe） was to keep a special roster； detailing one of his own classmates to fall in next to me。 Each one detailed for such duty was to serve one weekfrom Sunday morning breakfast to Sunday morning breakfast。 The keeper of the roster was not of course to be detailed。
It is astonishing how little care was taken to conceal this fact from me。 The plan； etc。； was formed in my hearing； and there seems to have been no effort or even desire to hide it from me。 Returning from supper one evening； I distinctly heard this plebe tell the sergeant that 〃Mr。 refused to serve。〃 〃You tell him；〃 said the sergeant； 〃I want to see him at my 'house' after supper。 If he doesn't serve I'll make it so hot for him he'll wish he'd never heard of West Point。〃
Is it not strange how these models of mankind； these our superiors； strive to thrust upon each other what they do not want themselves？ It is a meanness； a baseness； an unworthiness from which I should shrink。 It would be equally astonishing that men ever submit to it； were it not that they are plebes； and therefore thus easily imposed upon。 The plebe in this case at length submitted。
When I became a second…classman； no difference was made by the cadets in their manner of falling in； whether because their scruples were overcome or because no fitting means presented themselves for avoiding it； I know not。 If they happened to be near me when it was time to fall in； they fell in next to me。
In the spring of '76； our then first sergeant ordered us to fall in at all formations as nearly according to size as possible。 As soon as this order was given； for some unknown reason； the old régime was readopted。 If I happened to fall in next to a first…classman； and he discovered it； or if a first…classman fell in next to me； and afterward found it out； he would fall out and go to the rear。 The second and third…classmen； for no other reason than that first…classmen did it； 〃got upon their dignity； and refused to stand next to me。 We see here a good illustration of that cringing； 〃bone… popularity〃 spirit which I have mentioned elsewhere。
The means of prevention adopted now were somewhat different from those of a year before。 A file…closer would watch and follow me closely； and when I fell in would put a plebe on each side of me。 It was really amusing sometimes to see his eagerness； and quite as amusing； I may add； to see his dismay when I would deliberately leave the place thus hemmed in by plebes and fall in elsewhere。
We see here again that cringing disposition to which I believe the whole of the ill…treatment of colored cadets has been due。 The file…closers are usually second…class sergeants and third…class corporals。 By way of 〃boning popularity〃 with the upper classmen； they stoop to almost any thing。 In this case they hedged me in between the two plebes to prevent upper classmen from falling in next to me。
But it may be asked why I objected to having plebes next to me。 I would answer； for several reasons。 Under existing circumstances of prejudice； it was of the utmost importance to me to keep them away from me。 Firstand by no means the least important reasonto put them in the front rank was violating a necessary and established custom。 The plebes are put in the rear rank because of their inexperience and general ignorance of the principles of marching； dressing； etc。 If they are in the front rank； it would simply be absurd to expect good marching of them。 A second reason； and by far the most important； results directly from this one。 Being between two plebes； who would not； could not keep dressed； it would be impossible for me to do so。 The general alignment of the company would be destroyed。 There would be crowding and opening out of the ranks； and it would all originate in my immediate vicinity。 The file…closers； never over…scrupulous when I was concerned； and especially when they could forward their own 〃popularity…boning〃 interests； would report me for these disorders in the company。 I would get demerits and punishment for what the plebes next to me were really responsible for。 The plebes would not be reported； because if they were their inexperience would plead strongly in their favor； and any reasonable explanation of an offence would suffice to insure its removal。 I was never overfond of demerits or punishments； and therefore strenuously opposed any thing that might give me either； for instance； having plebes put next to me in ranks。
Toward the end of the year the plebes； having learned more about me and the way the corps looked upon me； became as eager to avoid me as the others。 Not； however； all the plebes； for there were some who； when they saw others trying to avoid falling in next to me； would deliberately come and take their places there。 These plebes； or rather yearlings now； were better disciplined； and； of course； my own scruples vanished。
During the last few months of the year no distinction was made； save by one or two high…toned ones。
When the next class of plebes were put in the battalion； the old cadets began to thrust them into the front rank next to me。 At first I was indignant； but upon second thought I determined to tolerate it until I should be reported for some offence which was really an offence of the plebes。 I intended to then explain the case； à priori； in my written explanation to the commandant。 I knew such a course would cause a discontinuance of the practice； which was plainly malicious and contrary to regulations。 Fortunately； however； for all concerned； the affair was noticed by an officer； and by him summarily discontinued。 I was glad of this； for the other course would have made the cadets more unfriendly； and would have made my condition even worse than it was。 Thereafter I had no further trouble with the plebes。
One day； during my yearling camp； when I happened to be on guard； a photographer； wishing a view of the guard； obtained permission to make the necessary negative。 As the officer of the day desired to be 〃took〃 with the guard； he came down to the guard tents； and the guard was 〃turned out〃 for him by the sentinel。 He did not wish it then； and accordingly so indicated by saluting。 I was sitting on a camp…stool in the shade reading。 A few minutes after the officer of the day came。 I heard the corporal call out； 〃Fall in the guard。〃 I hurried for my gun； and passing near and behind the officer of the day； I heard him say to the corporal：
〃Say； can't you get rid of that nigger？ We don't want him in the picture。〃
The corporal immediately ordered me to fetch a pail of water。 As he had a perfect right to thus order me； being for the time my senior officer； I proceeded to obey。 While taking the pail the officer of the day approached me and most politely asked： 〃Going for water； Mr。 Flipper？〃
I told him I was。
〃That's right；〃 continued he； 〃do hurry。 I'm nearly dead of thirst。〃
It is simply astonishing to see how these young men can stoop when they want any thing。 A cadet of the second classwhen I was in the third classwas once arrested for a certain offence； and； from the nature of the charge； was likely to be court…martialed。 His friends made preparation for his defence。 As I was not ten feet from him at the time specified in the charge； my evidence would be required in the event of a trial。 I was therefore visited by one of his friends。 He brought paper and pencil and made a memorandum of what I had to say。 The cadet himself had the limits of his arrest extended and then visited me in person。 We conversed quite a while on the subject； and； as my evidence would be in his favor； I promised to give it in case he was tried。 He thanked me very cordially； asked how I was getting along in my studies； expressed much regret at my being ostracized； wished me all sorts of success； and again thanking me took his leave。
There is an article in the academic regulations which provides or declares that no citizen who has been a cadet at the Military Academy can receive a commission in the regular army before the class of which he was a member graduates； unless he can get the written consent of his former classmates。
A classmate of mine resigned in the summer of '75； and about a year after endeavored to get a commission。 A friend and former classmate drew up the approval； and invited the class to his 〃house〃 to sign it。 When half a dozen or more had signed it； it was sent to the guard… house； and the corporal of the guard came and notified me it was there for my consideration。 I went to the guard… house at once。 A number of cadets were sitting or standing around in the room。 As soon as I entered they became silent and remained so； expecting； no doubt； I'd refuse to sign it； because of the treatment I had received at their hands。 They certainly had little cause to expect that I would add my signature。 Nevertheless I read the paper ove
