The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1836-08-10

who mus. compose Tie co"i', "S' ~
many of the witnesses who must test'y oe-
fore il. General Scott could not have expec-
ted the Investigation To take place inmedi-
o,eIv on his arrival at Washington"
We received, through the Post Office
nbout ten days since, the following commu-
nication, the publication of which, we were
comnelled TO defer until this week and we
now lay it before our readers without note
or COMMENT
Mr.. PEcKHAM,
1 am sorry to hear that you are opposed
to the U. S. Military Academy at West
Point; but hoping that you hold yourself on
on this, as well as all other important qucs-
tions, open to conviction, | am encouraged
to think that you will yet come to the con
cluson that instead OF your opposition 1t is
entitled 20 your generous support. As an
instance of what that Institution is capable
of producing, allow me to call your atten'
ton to the history of one of its Graduates
In 1925 was graduated at that Institution
with its highest honors, Alexander Dallas
Bache of Philadelphia, who was immediate
" commissioned in the Corps of Engineers
so distinguished for the brillan, talents o'
its officers-and commenced service on this
station under the command of that able En-
gineer, COL Totem After three years SER
vice here. he was invited to the chair of
Professorship of Natural and Experimental
Philosophy in the Pennsylvania University
-wichh he accepted. The very dlstin-
puished manner in which he acquitted HIM
self in this station, cannot be better evldenc-
ed than by the fact that he has just been
elected President of Girard College, new
Institution, and to be one of the first in this
country--and yet this gentleman is now but
Mirty years OF age. DO not believe that
the history of this country will afford par
allel case Of elevation to such high honors
at so early an age-a result consequent on
ly upon his superior fitness for so important
and responsible station. | will not detaln
you, Sir with the detail of the great ends
which Girard College is designedt to produce
but it will be safe for me to say that the ed
ucation which President Bache received al
the Military Academy, will diti'use us whole
some and vigorous influence not in shSh'
hut in an important drgree, Throughout
these United States.
m developing the resources Of this grea
country, which has led to the adoption of {
system of Internal Improve ments, such az
Canals, Rail- Roads and The removal of OBJ
structions in important Rivers, there ha
been rush to secure the talents of th'
Graduates of the Military Academy, by th'
Companies and Corporations charged will
the achievement of these beneficial enter
prises. The acceptance of these trusts b,
the Officers has been followed by sever
censurc from the opponents of that lnsti
tuition, but think without just cause. In
deed, Sir, am satisfied that the country i
more benefited by the officers resignin
md accepting civil situations for the con
struciion of these works of internal improve
ment, than they liz would be by their re
fusing to accept snch situatons-for withou
their aid these works would, besides bein
perhaps imperiectly conducted, be delaye
a yery long time. An additional incentive
too, to their resignation, is offered by tn
striking contrast between the pay attacho
TO the two situations Cd Lieut.. of Engi
GERS, understand is paid by the Govern
ment $500 year; as engineer on Rail
Road, he can get $4,000 year; and
Professor, or President of College, fro,
$4,000 to $4,000 year; in either employ
ment his country receiUes the benefit of h
talents, and hence the easy removal of a
conscientious scruples, which of these stu
as;ons would you choose The Militar
Academy, Sir, is truly Republican Inst
du,ion--impartialify is the governing prime
ole of its Professors-no better evidence
which can be adduced than the fact th;
sons of many of the most distinguished me
of the country have been dismissed froi
there, either for misconduct or inattentlon
its code of discipline /; lis doors too, II
are open to the poor as well as to- the rIc
really hope that further reflection on tn
subject, will induce you to change yo'
mind, and that you will devote, on all pror
er occasions, your columns to the suppo
Of the q. s. Military Academy. Judgin