Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1834-01-23
7 For the Martinsb,ug Gazr,te. ]

An attack upon the National Military Academy
at West Point by the slang whangers oil the
Kitchen Cabinet, or from the Ydfoo Legislators
of Ohio and Tennessee, can excite no surprise IN
any one who is acquainted with the character and
propensities Of the animals in question--but that
the Senior Editor Of the Richmond Wing, who,
wrong headed as he is on some important points,
is undoubtedly intelligent and enlightened
man, and most forcible and felicitous writer,
should join in this Gothic onslaught upon me-
rtorous and useful institution, is matter of equal
wonder aud regret The Wing admits that the
COURSE of instruction, (at the Military Acade-
my,) "is good, its preceptors able its discipline
Spartan"-but objects that "its pupils are selec-
ted upon principle of favoritism," and denies
that "its results are indispensable to the public
good or even Derry be6efciai. "The design OF the
institution" continues the Wing, is TO educate
officers for the army and to diffuse military edu-
cation through the country, 10 be ready, when il
Is imperilled, TO aid in its defence. Gin the first
place, there is not even remote probability OF a
foreign war, nor can the most farsighted conjec-
ture contingency in our foreign relations, which
is likely to incur it." So argued a celebrated
Statesman, when at the commencement of his
administration he was about TO disband the army
and dismantle the navy, which politicians under
the influence of the old fashioned prejudices had
collected for the defence OF their country-and
yet, in less than ficeIre years, the party OF that
statesman, under the guidance OF the ablest and
wisest Of all his friends, found themselves in the
predicameni Of being obliged to choose between
war and dishonor.
Not even a remote probability Of foreign war
truly! Why. what is the history OF manknd
is II an account OF continued peace and tranquil
y-or Of constant and rapid succession OF violent
and bloody wars? IVhat is the state Of Europe
al this moment Is it state Of settled and pros
Pective peace? The contrary is well known
The general peace has already lasted beyond ex-
pectation-longer than the average interval be-
tween wars in that section of the globe for a
thousand years back, and no one is ignorant that
tne materials of general confagrGtion are a
oundantly scattered every where. In 1916, the
storm OF war, which with one or two short inter-
missions, had ragged for thirty years, and
had swept and ravaged all Europe from the la
soons OF CadIz 10 the minarets of Moscow, ter
minated in the Browning carnape'' of Waterloo.
and IN the utter defeat and almost utter extinc-
uon OF me military adherents of Napoleon The
STATE OF Iassitude and exhaustion CONSEQUENT up-
on ,his protracted and tremendous struggle, fnan-
eiai endorsements and burdens arising from the
same cause, together with domestic discussions
ahu troubles IN some OF the great military pow
ers, have hitherto sufficed and with difficulty,
suffered TO prevent a general war in Eurona H.,
can any man undertake TO answer for the cont;-
uance OF peace there even two years longer AMI
supposing general war to break out. wbera !.
the security that we should not be again involved
IN III Suppose England should attempt to tau .
possession Of the island of Cuba; could we quiet
~ suffer her to entrench herself in position tba,
would enable her TO occlude the mouth of The
hississlppi, and to intercept what is destined 10
DC me largest portion of our coasting trade.
put II seems that "great Captains are not form
% 10 the shades of Academies" The two great
s' captains Of our age, Napoleon and yelling
IN, were educated at Military schools these
DC added Davousi. Dessaix. KIeber, Mar.