Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1846-06-25
Il. j. WALKER.
WEST POINT.
To the PnrslpENr.

The Annual Examination al The West Point Military
Academy began on Thursday last. II Is said that The
meuhefs o The graduating class have received orders 10
ten,an nj West Point until the first oi next mouth that
the Government may have opportunity 10 Command
ihrIr services II required.
The recent achievements oi our army on the Rio
Gmndc, while brilliantly illustrating he vapur VI our
lfoops. gave also many sinking Indications of the skill
aud scenee derived by officers from thtir military
education From the nature Of the around, covered IL
many places With ea2panl, it was not IN the power OF
The commander IN chei overlook all parts o the ieldi
lie could only make general arrangements for the battle
aud give peucra dlferllons Much was el 10 The dis
cnllnn o subordinate officers and any reading tho
accounts oi lie Two battles oil HE eighth and ninth
(Which we published in full Monday will SEQ with
shat readiness aud prnmpliude the eolones. majors.
captains aud ienienans # our little army met any nn>
orese,n demonstration Of he enemy. Qn',k 10 perceive.
Rpd In execute, Whatever The eNgcncy OF The moment
demanded. each officer seemed Ia possess the
oi military genius and lung experience conbined Yet
many 10 mnsi o them. these were Their hrs! regular
pitched bnltlcq.
The careful education and discipline i, the Military
Academy at West Point strict and rigid that the
d serving fall by the way, cannot but Exercise most
wholesua,e Influence on military system Nithont
II the know ledge Of arms Of practical tactics. organlzl-
aud movements, would fall To a low ebb IN tho
country. But with this excellent Institution proselv-
ed in ml efficiency all the discoveries of science.
all tie improvements n the art of made ours.
aud adopted To setce. We keep pace with tho
foremost nallons IN all that pertains 10 military engn-
eerng, gunnry, lnlan'ry aud cavalry tactics; while The
spirit aud vaour OF soldprs Will 90 Tar The
Hpthrst In making all ,hosp elements efficient tho
field.
To some OBJ 1ciions urged by against the Institr-
ton at West Point sub'ln the howne extract from
hr report Of the Committee Military Affairs recently
submitted 10 the House OF Representatives:
1t has been objected that pupils selected Tor The Mills
ary Academy usually the al wealthy and nhu
enal PARENTS while those possessing neither wealth nor
family Influence eXelndd. To this objection the
answer 10 simple and conc sse The selection IS made
by the Representative IN Cong ress who Is presumed
be entirely competent 10 discriminate II is out just
Ia stippuSe that IN making selection. he Will exercise
proper discretion, and, oher things being equal" will
give preference individual who dues moi possess
the means OF educating himself But Should Repre-
Otherwise, what thenf Our constituents
devulye upon far important uusls, The abuse of
which by will be no more censue upon them, than
is HE improper stlecllun "ia pupil an olJc"n sgahst
the Military Academy. H. however, We look at tie a-
bic presented III the report IT The Chie Engineer. II will
be seen thai the nccun asl alluded Is we'll found
ed. by that aue, compiled lrnn reliable dda. II APP
pears thai but very suall prnpornn OF those who re-
teye crad appointment arr sons nt wealthy parents.
In view ut This ruth, the Chet Engineer ell obseryes
III is oil the nohles features IN this institution that
IL ia giving helping hand 10 many ol The poorer
youths oi The country aud qualities hfm TOR the peror-
nance the absi manner, Of the highest duties o pate
riolisu.'
Ofthe graduates of the academy. hrsriy fire have
been killed in batile one hundred and eight have did
while u service from wounds received or diseases
lracted fire htu,ored aud se.eray- three are now in
service; and four hundred and twenty three have re.
signed.
Many Of those who have resigned yet alive ming
Ing with their How -ciiizfus and engaged in the active
duties al lite The scientific scqnsnns Of The military
schuui, and 'f the CAMP they have carried with themj
they yet them, aud II nov forms part Of the az
pren ATE knowledge OF the country. Few officers resign,
a. is hebeved brause they dislike the poit sson OF arus
The reasons may be .nuud IN Tho hardness OF promo
lion in time OF peace The aaa!.siy Of camp duty at
many OF our posts and stations, ahd the Dadtq viry Ut
nav and ratnns to support ianlly.--Bnt should e.
mrrnrney arrive when the country needs their active
services hele every 10 believe that they cheer.
fully offer hpus Ives, aud bring with them an amount
Of prarlcal know ledge and raolIsm no, essened by
partial retirement from the military service. As in-
srucleTs volunteer force, raised On emergency.
and Gil zen sodiery in general, their u,iltss
~ knowledge and skill would BE- VI lcalculsbls sdssn.
| iage.
! Your cormiiiee of opinion hat The rnjudcss ~.
isps against tbs 'psI'v'oas institution viii BE s1vsst