"
Just two years after my entrance into the Academy, I
met in New York a young man who was a plebe at the
time I was, and who then associated with me. He
recognized me, hurried to me from across the street,
shook my hand heartily, and expressed great delight at
seeing me. He showed me the photograph of a classmate,
told me where I could find him, evidently ignorant of
my ostracism, and, wishing me all sorts of success,
took his leave. After he left me I involuntarily asked
myself, "Would it have been thus if he had not been
'found on his prelim?' " Possibly not, but it is very,
very doubtful.
There are some, indeed the majority of the corps are
such, who treat me on all occasions with proper
politeness. They are gentlemen themselves, and treat
others as it becomes gentlemen to do. They do not
associate, nor do they speak other than officially,
except in a few cases. They are perhaps as much
prejudiced as the others, but prejudice does not
prevent all from being gentlemen. On the other hand,
there are some from the very lowest classes of our
population. They are uncouth and rough in appearance,
have only a rudimentary education, have little or no
idea of courtesy, use the very worst language, and in
most cases are much inferior to the average negro. What
can be expected of such people? They are low, and their
conduct must be in keeping with their breeding.
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