Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1842-12-02

tary spirit, aud preparing for national de-
fence, was advanced by few Individuals
some in high stations--lmncdiaiely after The
revolutionary war. Not only, however, IN
respect to the importance of such school,
but also in respect to the plan and character
of it, has there always been diversity OF
opinions among our citizens. And II was
not till the year 1902, that the u. ). nj.
Academy was established at West Point
The number of cadets, at that time, was
limited to forty. At present, the number IS
upwards of two hundred, aud is limited to
two hundred and liGy The age of caudi-
dates for admission is from fourteen to TWEEN
ty one.
The course Of study includes four years.
and in the first year, or fourth classlt consists
of French and Mathematics; in the second
wear. or third class, Of Eng. Grammar, Draw
ing. French aud Mathematics; in the third
wear. or second class, of Natural Philosophy,
Chemistry aud Drawing and in the fourth
year or first class, of Engineering and Set
cnce of War, Ethics, Infantry tactics, Artil-
Iery. Mneralory and Geology. The in
structors in these branches arc thirty III
number, constituting what is called the Aca-
dcmic Staff The Adiutaut, Quarter Mas
ter, Pay Master, Treasurer, aud Surgeon,
constitute the Military Staff The y. S.
Government expends SOS per month, or 3'6
dollars annually, for the education of each
cadet: and for the support Of the institution
rs 900 dollars annually OF those who
enter the Academy only about one half ever
graduate, the rest leaving, or being dismiss
ed for want of ability or disposition to pur-
sue and complete the course.
! French and Mathematics, particularly the
latter, may be regarded as the leading and
principal study of the course Little or no
attention is given TO general literature; none
to writing and speaking; and none to the
ancient cassics-Iatin aud Greek. As far,
therefore, as a knowledge aud study Of these
=. things are essential to the highest improve
ment Of all the mental faculties the memo
~, judgement, reasoning powers, inlaglna-
ton and taste; to a comprehension of the
/ Philosophy and power oflanguage and the
ability Of arranging aud expressing thought
IN the best possible manner; so far must
such n course of study be regarded as def
cicnt, and incapable of giving the student
! Hbcrdi education To be sure the NJ lathe
mates are highly useful and important
braach cf study, whether regarded in Il
practical or disciplinary point of view but
when pushed to the almost entire exclusion
of other branches. equally or more impor-
tant the natural and inevitable consequence is
an unsymmetricaI and distorted mentaIdeyel-
opement Thus the real object of education is
defeated. For il is only bv the harmonious
cultivation of all its various faculties, bymeans
of well balanced and fair proportioned sys-
TEN, that the mind attains It's maximum of
capacity, strength and ability; and that the
man becomes most efficient and useful. Ii,
therefore, we regard the Academy only in
the light of an Institution for intellectual
discipline and training, it mus, suffer under
this objection that II is not calculated Ito
form proper symmetry aud balance o.: char
acter
Nor again, does the Institution appear
more free from objections, if we consider
simply the particular and os,ensible design
Of its founders and advocaics-to preserve
and increase the military spirit and prepare
for national defence. For according to the
present system the men raised up here are
sufficient, and have it in their power, to mo-
nopoize, and ill almost or quite all desira-
bic stations in the army, thus discourapnu
our citizens from the pursuit of military
knowledge, and preventing all efficient, en-
terprisug, or ambitious men among them,
;, FROM ever entering IT, And the natural con-
. sequence of this anti-republcan mode of APP
pointing and promoting only the graduates
: Of this lEst.tu,on to desirable Offices is, that
the army most Of it, at least, is made up
of the refuse and oilscouring Of the EARTH
Out Of fifty recruits, that passed down The
Hudson, not long since, only three were born
and bred American citizens. The rest
were foreigners.
p And in case our nation should be involved
! in serious and extensive war, every state
and section of it would find III itself men of
ability and enterprise, who, inspired by their
own genius, and urged on by the pure love
of liberty, would gain the confidence and af
d iections of the people, find their way to the
head OF the army, become Washingtons, and
, serve the real interests Of their country
much more eflectually and satisfactorily than
amy artificial productions that could be in
- troduced. But perhaps it may be asked
whether it would not have been better, that,
: these men of talent and genius should have
- pursued course Of military education at
the Academy? And the first answer is il
). may not always be determined in early life
;, who the men arc. The circumstance and
:, occasion will! call them forth And in the
l. second place, it would not help the matter
+. if they could be determined.
And this brings us to another objection
n that from among the number of applicant.
a for admission to the Academy, the appoint
n ments seem TO be made, not according tc
,. the genius Of our free institutions, from a re-
II gard to the sterling worth, talent, or prem