Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1843-03-23
WAI DEPARTMENT,

Sm-I have received letter OF the Let inst transmit
ting the printed proceedings Of military convention held
the city OF Albany the State OF New York, i'll January
last and particularly calling my attention to one of the
solutions which recommends that the Military Academy
West Point be abolished.
Being thus called on, Icannot in justice the Academy,
orbear vndcatng from the unjust mputaons
upon by that resolution. Your convention pleased to
"consider constituted Oristocrauc and antpuh
can its character-a seminary OF instruction de-
pnnent OF knowledge, necessarily be composed Of
small number OF pupils compared with the entire male po
puauon-snd tins circumstance render 1t aristocrnc
and a-repubican" then all colleges and academies
aud select schools OF the character. bound
presume the members OF the aware
the in which the cadets selected and OF their
general character regards the wealth OF their parents
guardians.
To give you light the subject, | transmit
herewith printed circular such addressed the pa
rents or friends OF every applicant From tins YOU will
perceive that every Congressional District in the L. : and
TIE several territories, furnishes cadet, the nominu.
OF the representative OF such district territory and
that the residue small number from among
the OF the officers Of the Army and Navy
Revolutionary soldiers, and of distinguished public officers
whose pccunary be crnmped any plan can
he devised more equal us and republican, better calculated
todse MILITARY information through the whole country and
give oeaeh and every portion OF IT, the advantages such
institution, shall thankfully it, and use my
vors to have adOpted-and submit with great deert nee
whether the has been Just 10 itself or 10 the A.
cademy, the public the OF military
nrccomcndng the abolition Of the only institution the land
where the science systematically taught theoretically and
practically because is "now constituted" in n manner
SIX
whether some effort should not have been made point
its defects and suggest the proper remedy csortng
10 the last cxtromty-its dcstrucuon1
lsend you also carefully made by the
professors and officers of the Academy. showing the cond
uon OF each cadet, The last years from which YOU will
perceive what large prcponderance there of young
taken from those classes of life usually deemed
tSerac" And to those at oil acquainted with the Acade.
my and its history, that mechanics
farmers and of parents have always constituted the
great body Of the pupils. The charge Of "arisocracy
therefore and dsapproved, your satisfaction
Buff the selections have been in any instances made
from the OF the hand powerful the
government in fault The representatives IN the House
from the several districts called upon designate the
youth to he selected and they in fact make the selections
II fault there be, is with the immediate representa-
yves OF the people and should they not be held
for ii7
For instance, the representative from Albany county the
last nominated young Mr.. Nele, and he appoint
cd You probably well know the great respeciabity Of
hs family, his worth, and the destitute condition
which he and they left by death OF his Father
was that an aristocrauc selection think not, but l. the
constituents OF Mr. Barnard think so, should they hold
HIM TO responsibility which he would be proud and glad
meet2
The advantages of the Institution the Convention con-
siders dspoporonae the expense. Can the advantage
OF collecting, embodyng preserving and teaching mill.
ty science OF the civilized world estimated dollars
and cents' Do you does any gentleman who parti
cpaed IN the adoption oil the question: know
the extent and variety OF the studies pursued tie Acad
envy OF the military instruction afforded there. theoretically
and practically they aware that the Cadets are eg
larry drilled Infantry, Dragons, Artillery and light
Artillery and that their evouiions either arm are super
or TO those OF Oldest soders Professor Potter of Uni
on College Of the visitors of the last year His
capacity ~ Judging and his integrity reporting what he
saw, you will readily admit send you copy of the re-
port OF the Board OF Visitors drawn up by him. VIII Won
nave the goodness read and ask fellow
"i the convention TO do the same and then say ii YOU
can tell the value in dollars and cents of the advantages
such an Institution If you can will be happy use my
best efforts TO bring down the expenses that value If il be
less than the present cost of the establishment.
Inc Convention says that the money required to
sustain the Academy should be appropriated the diffusion
OF military instruction the dgeTeHt States Are we 4,
understand by this that instead Of one well endowed Acad
envy for the Nation with teachers of distinguished ability
and hdey we are to have in each with means
prccarious State bountyl
Sir, it be supposed that Congress would apply
some three millions of dollars which would be indispcn
saole 10 establish an Academy in each State and this pro-
position TO drive from the State of New York national
institution OF suchn character and scatter the funds app
ed TO It's support 10 the four winds be in aboryc
efforts 10 nurse feeble semnancs-his proposition comes
from convention of enlightened militia officers of the
State OF New York confess my modification and si,
pe nj the occurrence. That militia officers Of Ohio should
denounce the Military Academy did not asonsb mo he
cause was aware that they had few means of better
lniormauon But the militia officers of the State of Now
OK are within lew hours sail Of West Point They
can attend the drills, recitauns and examinations M hc
peasnTe-they can visit the encampmeni in which all the
cadets are actually ~ camp eleven weeks in every vea
performing all the duties OF soldiers Can you be surprised
ua' Us cluzen ~ New or am mortified that such gen
teinen should oinin groundess hue and CRY against such
an institution within the bosom of their own State
Ine plan Of the Military Academy and the system of in
stTucton there may have defects because all human si,
ons mast have them But that plan and that system nave
been thry years maturing and improving under the care Of
''S' ussuished military men tins country has produced
Is u not ia presumption that they are not wholly and
absolutely wrong
Inc Convention by their resolution, seems to appreciate
Tue advantages OF Military Science, and desire hat we
may not be obliged 10 depend upon foreigners for il In lime
OF need They be Of the pciudccs exi.ti.,
among tiose VINO have no respect for military improvement
against uo Academy aud which would against any
tar institution on any plan. l. IL kind in those eEd.
u the cause which that seminary il designed To uon,
honestly designed, however may fail IN eSccuou- II
Kind m them adopt the indefinite Language Of general
denunclauon easy be used by denagogues in reference
10 every institution of the country
o. all men, the militia officers who are alive 10 the value
Z" ne service should be the last any obstacle in the
way ~ any honest effort 70 promote that service The
science which their associations will not allow Them to o.
oclniTe'ls taught at the Academy 10 young men from oil
"i lne county who sooner later minglo with their
ico" c1ens aud impa the fruits Of their acquisition. 10
all Gose whparo ~ ling receive them Miti officers
VIII the De the very Erst derive benefit from teo soi
suoi7' why hcn, should they be hostile q, that which
'7 promotes tAcir own Improvement ccvat,s tie military
Character preserves tor future use the military Isr ~
tue world ~ is highest aud abstruse branches dali. m
proves upon u aud sends forth annually b,dv nj s--
tonden. ''' '' N'''''
Although sorcy pressed for time my respect for ,h. COR.
V'nuon hns induced % throw together these b-f,
ve"-, i'I 'ne purpose OF asking re.examnau5n Of re
subject and decentralization OF resolution so i,,,i e.,
Toe mlltaTy service OF the country.
~ you uf any members Of the c1nvcnt,r ne ,,. .,t -
mhua officers desire information respecting the true rord,
Ton "i uc Academy and the manner n which IL b. "
suu'o1' invite you 10 attend the examination hat COM
incncc. ine first week June next Tine Office. 10, ,.
Aesoe"| WI" render you every attention and every r.y
n tnof power and there Of the Point commodaas pi
nc mousse where every comfort except spirtIous iquor NAV
be obtained Indeed, slJpurn there of q lew dave LIZ
one OF the best retreats from the heat Of summer
Let nae ak that those disposed 90 condemn will ers
inc before they do so-that they NAV M cs, h
givofacuand reasons for their opinions. '''' ~
Very respectfully
Your obtfrf.'t
J. &. SPENCER
John i. Townsend, MAJ. Gcn.N. Y. MHu, Pre.ii,', -,
tie Convention. &C., Albany, n. Y.