And all this because
the report was under my signature.
When the corporal replied to me that he had turned
out the cadet, I considered it a satisfactory answer,
supposing the cadet's non-appearance was due to delay
in arranging his toilet. I had no intention of
reporting him, and did so only in obedience to
positive orders. There surely was nothing malicious
or retaliatory in that; and to condemn me for
discharging the first of all military duties--viz.,
obedience of orders--is but to prove the narrowness
of the intellect and the baseness of the character
which are vaunted as so far superior to those of the
"negro cadet," and which condemn him and his actions
for no other reason than that they are his. How could
it be otherwise than that he be isolated and persecuted
when such minds are concerned?
In his written explanation to the commandant the
corporal admitted the charge of disobedience of
orders on his part, but excused himself by saying
he had delegated another cadet to discharge the
duty for him. This was contrary to regulations,
and still further aggravated his offence.
For an incident connected with this tour of guard
duty, see chapter on "Incidents, Humor," etc.
The only case of downright malice that has come to
my knowledge--and I'm sure the only one that ever
occurred--is the following:
It is a custom, as old as the institution I dare
say, for cadets of the first and second classes to
march in the front rank, while all others take
their places in the rear rank, with the exception
that third-classmen may be in the front rank whenever
it is necessary for the proper formation of the
company to put them there.
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