The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-10-24

Our MILIT RY AcApEMY-We regret to
see that many graduates OF the West Point
Military Academy have fallen in the recent
engagements with the enemy, before the
capture of the capital. No more conclusive proof
of the necessity of maintaining and fostering that
excellent institution could be furn shed than the
manner In which her sons have conducted them
selves In the present wa The last echo of the
repeiHs which called the country to arms, had not
died away, when the graduates of West Point
were seen emerging rom the city and the coun-
try, from the contingencies and from the bench,
with their swords by their sides, craving to
be enrolled among those who were DESTROYS
OF leading our armies to meet the enemy.
They were irreslstibly led to forsake the walks
OF civil life which they had severally adopted, to
punish the enemy who dared to shed their coun-
trymen's bl' cd on their own soil. Fhe services
which they rendered are beyond estimate. BY
superior discipline and military knowledge,
they guided our volunteers and pointed out the
way in which their reckless, daring, and impe-
tuous bravery would be advantag eously directed.
They restrained their impetuosity till the hap
Ply moment arrived when its effects would tell
on the troops opposed to Them and then, they
themselves being the leaders in every case, it
poured form like a torrent, sweeping every OBJ
stacle before it,
Many gallant West Pointer has fallen in the
present struggle; but they died as they wished to
die, with the flag OF their country waving vcto-
riously over them, and amid the cheers of their
conquerlng comrades. Their memories will be
revered-their services will not be forgotten.
Before the breaking out of this war, an on.
slaught was made this institution by persons
Ignorant of, or incapable of forming an opinion
of its Importance to our country The unbound
ed statement that twas a nursery of aristocracy
was made against it in and out of Congress
and to such lengths was this reckless and un
meaning crusade carried, that the friends of thu
institution feared that it might, like oihe
valuable institutions, fall victim to prejudic,
and Ignorance. Common sense, however, pre-
vailed, and IT was spared to falsny in the mos
positive manner, the libels that were so OTTER
repeated against it. What now becomes of the
charge of aristocracy' What of the assertion
that il was a nursery Of Incidence I Withou,
West Point, would our arms have been so VIC
torious as they have been Would we have &C.
complished so many successive victories as we
have accomplished if there were not militar,
skill and science in the country TO direct oui
troops Would we have furnished, as we have
contradictions of the foul ISLANDERS that the Eu
ropean press has belched forth against us from
time to time for half century And, finally
would we stand in the proud position that W,
now occupy, as nation whose policy Away
has been peace, but who, when forced to repe
an insult or punish aggression, has the power
and ability to do so
None more heartily admires the bravery of oul
han We do 10 L . 1.
it beyond suspicion, and when the time came
we were confident we should not be mistaken
in our impressions The time did come and the
whole world knows the result, Difficulties an.
parently insuperable were overcome-armie,
treble and quadruple were met and overcome
and road of glory, without parallel in ancient
or modern times, was hewn out by the spirit O
our volunteers But while we accord to tn,