Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1825-08-13
ADDRESS.

m eieiai metropolis o: Kentucky.
ADDRESS,
delivered By Mr.. BARBoUR, Secretary OF War, 10
the Officers. and Cadets of the Military Acade-
my at his taking leave of them, the iith OF
June, 1925. and OF which copy was furnished
TO the Cadets, on the application OF Committee
appointed for that purpose
CADETS Being about to separate from you, 1T
was my wish to have taken of on individually an
atfectonate farewell. That beng announcement,
requested that YOU might be assembled | will avail
myself of the opportunity the occasion presents
10 give uiterance to the feelings my visit has in
spircd.
1t is with the highest pleasure that | declare in
TIE presence OF this assembly that my satisfaction
has been unmiXed had prepared myself To see
much that would be gratifying, but can IL sober
truth declare that the reality has exceeded my en-
pec,ations. / have felt only regret, and that
is the necessity, from the paramount claims on my
time, 10 depart before witnessing the examination
of all the classes. Bat, from what have seen, |
am quite sure that the examination Of every day
would have added 10 M satisfaction.
Cadets In your department and attanments
see with unspeakabe delight, the most satisfactory
evidence OF your industry, talents, and moral worth
Officers of the Institution In the fine huits
which the examination has presented, am salts
fie, with the zeal tnd fidelity with which you have
discharged your solemn trusts Where all have
done their duty, il were invdious TO discriminate,
and shall not attempt II; yet must say, Cadets,
that Col. Thayer, your chief Superintendent, IS en-
titled to your gratitude, and, will add To the
thanks of his country. Children for so esteem
you, since circumstances have placed you ander my
peculiar care, feel for you parent and
value it as one of the most fortunate incidents of
my life that have been associated in this inti-
mate relation. Be assured, take deep interest
in whatever concerns you, and that, a lar as my
~ ,vp reaches will he exercised Tor wei
fare.
| wish to impress on both officers and cadets,
that the nation is looking TO This institution with an
eye ofhope, and pride, and aifecionate solicitude
Officers You will appreciate the honor you have
received from your country in heina called TO pre-
side over the institution, the highest mark of her
confidence The trust which you have Undertaken
is high and solemn. Behold the favored children
of the nation These are TO be The future of
America. II properly reared, her ornaments IN
peace in war, her shield and buckler. 70 the
Improvement OF the mind, add sentiments OF moral
lily, lonor and patriotism. The maintenance OF
our authority BY a rigid discipline, is essential
like to the youths and 10 The institution. But
member, they taken young and inexperience ed
from their paternal roof Their homes and their
pareu,s are alar Oil Cheir wants no longer
4im!nslered to by the hands .of affection You are
substituted Tor the abscrt parent temper then me
sterGncsS of authority b. acts ci Kindness and
benehceDce; there j. 10 incOmpaibilHy between
iLcn and IN tier die mixture, consists lie lIghes
excellence of your calling your reward is II the
seriousness OF having done your duty, in tie
OF y Orih aid intelligence you annually return to
socet., and in the appreciation OF your country.
Cadets, your country has large Claims upon on
- you haVc been singled out amid thousands OF un-
successful candidates ~ the obiec,s oil her favor
Rcpa5 this kndncss Ey your exampiar5 conduct,
and by your atiainments in science. Subordinatl0n
to your superior, stands forward as prominent
part of your duty. Ii is indispensable 20 your own
welfare Although the duties ca joined may seem
TO your incyperie unnecessarily sev ere, remeln
ber hey have been prescribed by your fathers,
t.Lo.e affection YOU cannoi doubt; they are the re-
sui Of wisdom enlightened by experience respect
them, therefore, for the source IRON which they
emana,c. There are two roads which lie before
J Oh The signs of the are virtue, renovn, and
Happiness; Of the offer, vice, degradation, aid ruin
J. there any che among whose spirit is aja-ed
to hesitate which elect Ilie one Is full Of suits
faction; a Consciousness that you have doie Our
dWy, giving JOY to your parents, and rejoicing
yourself n your course. The other presents no
temptation but he temporary Indulgence of the
grossest appeu,cs, whose reward is many and
wretchedness. You MAY ye' from nexperieDce 10,
have sufficiently appreciated low essentially the
.1pyiness OF your parents and the prosperity OF
} our country is inyOiyei in YOUR fate. Suppose -
but why need | suppose such c,se, when as G saw
il but yesterds ga "a hCf present then ile whole
father sat upon his face sglta- ed 10y The conflicting
emotions Of car and ropc, .vIcn BIS son was called
10 come aonr on lie :reo. lie anxious suspense
was puniIl 10 a, uli iLe son, with q masters hand,
dIstnCt!g evolved tne irt,ieae ',aze. Of he most
abfruse sciences iuen 'he gentle murmur OF APP
pause circulated roin hc other. iii the ia-
thet fears were dissipated snd hope changed into
confidence aud when, TO iill tie measure Of his
happiness, he vas told hat he attainments of his
son were inferior TO his moral worth, the tear of
Joy escaped from his eye, and The parental benedc
ton, invountadiy coping settled on the head Of
his beloved child. You, indeed, might not have
The pleasure OF your fathers presence, but, where
soeyerhe is, However distant, bis sOliciude for our
success is no less intense Beis anNiously await
Ing the impair ial award OF Tie distinguished men
who have been called ;ogcthor to examine you. III
you have 10 father, you have perhaps some widow
ed mother, who nmtured your infancy
your sick bed with sIeepIcss eye, gamooIled
with you IN hcath--whose happiness you car5 in
your hand, and who, when she nightly prepares
her pillow, sends up your name 10 her supplicalons