Weekly national intelligencer., 1847-07-03
MILITARY EDUCATION.
FROM TIE sBw FORK COURIER AND KsauIRER.


day evening last before the graduating class of
Cadets at this institution, by EDWARD ID. MANS
FIELD, Esq. of Cincinnati, and we regret that our
limits enforce us to make it far more meager than
we could wish. Ii was admirable vndicaion OF
the Academy, on grounds both of theory and expe-
rience, from the objections frequently urged against
it, and was universally regarded as an effective and
most timely rebuke Of the demagogism which
seeks array against it the feelings and preiudices
of the people,
After brief and happy reference to the changes
that have taken place in individual life and in society,
since the period when he was connected as cadet
with the Academy, Mr. MASsFELn referred to the last
sage of Washington for definition Of the objects of this in
situon. In the passage relating that subject he found
st statement of the necessity of preserving and dusng
the My A and 2j, statement of the necessity Of pre-
serving and dusng Science essential that end In the
order of instructions Science, of course be cultivated
first and its principles and rules then applied the practice
of the Art The cultivation of Science has been made
original and legal duty Of the Academy and the discharge
this duty belongs egitimaey the government of nalion
as necessary of national defence the present age
Il is intellect which gives army, strength
naion and pepeuiy to government and American mind,
by race by climatic Influences by past achievements and by
oganizaon not inferior any other, has right to be
represented in the assemblies of nations. External action is
but the skeleton of the social structure 1t simply
Miades and his 10000 Greeks that turned back the
lanche Of Asia on the plains of Marathon was nteec-
tual superiority which sublime confidence in the
heart of its il the taught the schools
of Greece. What is it that has, in this age of the world
emerged from an island of the ocean, covered this great
tinen with and laws, and governs majority of the
human 1t is that high power of spirit which moves
,f hau If
the elements of nation form and growth and greatness
Our Government has recognised the necessity of developing
this spirit by public institutions and of adapting scientific in
struction to lis higher developments.
What it may next be asked, has been the influence of
science SO taught in this institution, upon the American
mind II may be traced in three different modes s', in
the direct influence of scientific studies upon the mind of
individual student; ID the direct personal influence of that
student in society and Sd, in the indirect influence of the
institution dused by the example of its high studies by the
reputation of its MEMBERS and by the instructions conferred
by it upon society.
The direct influence of the studies purued in the instu
ton upon the mind OF the student greatly undervalued be-
cause the jealousy OF mankind considers il the property of
and not of many But there could be greater mistake
The revelations of Heaven have always been made to single
minds and have been from thence transmitted to Others So
with the revelations of science If such contempaons
those of the ofest science, single mind is lifted up and
gifted with sublime powers, it is also true that the whole
ton elevated and subimed gifted and cultivated indi-
vdua is the property of his nation, constituting one OF The
prime elements of its greatness, glory and strength Ma
this fact all their estimates OF national great
ness for they point their of knowledge of cutiva-
ton and OF many gifts the living evidences the recorded
deeds of their title to greatness and to tane II Is by indi-
viua minds, luminous with knowledge and salient with
erges that nations known, compared estimated and
Judged II is moreover, impossible that should
and never communicate knowledge. Man is social being
and in thousand ways, more or less distinct and pecepbe
he will communicate to the around hm the knowledge
he has acquired Long the social principle shall exist
the human heart will the Of the people continue to
be and enriched by the intellectual power and learn
ing Of individuals Nations estmaed By their educated
men and by the laws Of human nature, what given
communicated that like commercial capital
well invested this investment in learning gives out Its annual
income of light and knowledge and glory to the people
Tae indirect influence Of the graduates Of this academy in
the various duties business and stations ot e cannot he
acty estimated but observer OF society readily
as be can any Of the recognised facts OF the social consu
ton TO where will within the bounds Of this Republic,
or even beyond the Atlantic, and find the pupils Of this in
stuon taking rank in civil life with the highest filling the
most important posts giving forth to others the instructions
they have celyed and presenting Salient and often Brilliant
projections from the surface OF society Oi about four hundred
cadets Of the Academy who have been at time in civil
life three have been presidents OF colleges fceay professors
in colleges, Governor OF State one Foreign Minister,
Bishops Of the Episcopal Church. sir cergymen many civil
engineers aud many in other professions OF these may
easily be proved that those who living hold positions Of
character and influence fully equal to those held ny equal
number OF the graduates Of colleges, while in scientific attain
men they are far superior One is directing the greatest
public work OF Europe; has founded in America by pr
yae enterprise the first real observatory in country
are distinguished geoo,sts have adorned the and
the bar and have taken part in the social and political
discussions Of the times In these forms the members
of this Academy have mingled with the people, have dused
the know ledge they have gained and exercised influence
over the public mind far greater than that which Is simply pro-
porioned to their numbers their stations. With and
distant exceptions il fairly be charged upon them that
they have hidden their talents in Napkin that they have
ceased exert themselves for the best and the nobes interests
of their country.
The last method in which the scientific instructions Of the
Academy have been beneficial TO the nation is Ivy the indirect
IN Geace If is example and this is felt by Of the high
standard which has raised scientific studies. The entire
platform Of knowledge in our country has been raised up
much higher level by the powerful example OF improved
thods and higher standards Of instruction adopted here The
superior scientific knowledge acquired by the graduates Of h
Academy has apparent and practical in the bust
ness of life that the learned institutions of the country h
PEELED attain the level and thus what pecu
liar the Academy, became in measure to the
whole county.
The second great object Of the academy is the teaching and
diffusion Of the military and this art may be defined
combination OF all practical sciences to increase and maintain
human power in movement No of the sciences can be
excluded from the wide field Of military strategy. Neither
chemistry, architecture surgery, political economy
can be set aside War therefore be carried
cesuy unless the nation has officers the head Of the
rous arms of service who at least well acquainted