This slighting opinion was not on account of the personal dislike
that Prescott felt for the turnback. There were other cadets
at West Point whom Dick did not exactly like, yet he respected
the others, for they themselves respected the traditions of honor
and justice that are a part of West Point.
With Haynes the trouble was that he was certain, sooner or later,
to prove a discredit to the best traditions of the Army. Such
a fellow was likely to prove a bully over enlisted men. Now,
the enlisted men of the Regular Army do not resent having a strict
officer set above them, but the officer must be a man whom they
can respect. Such an officer, who commands the respect and admiration
of the enlisted men under him, can lead them into the most dangerous
places. They will follow as a matter of course; but an unworthy
officer, one whom the enlisted men know to be unfit to command
them, will demoralize a company, a troop, a battery or a regiment
if he be given power enough.
Every cadet and every officer of the Army is concerned with the
honor of that Army. If he knows that an unworthy man is obtaining
command, it worries the cadet or officer of honor.
Had he been able to offer legal, convincing proof of Haynes's
dastardly conduct in pushing him off the train on the return from
the Army-Navy game, Prescott would have submitted that proof to
the authorities, or else to the members of the second class in
class meeting.
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