The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-06-18

v,sst 70 the Military Academy nj west Point
The Eneampment OF the Csdcts-Ad-
dress Of the Hon. Ashbei Smith, Col. DOME
phan, Sc. Sc.
The annual examination Of the Cadets of the United
States Military Academy, at West Point was brought
to close on Thursday last on which occasion, the
field exercises in particular were of an extremely gra-
tfying character, and elected the admiration of all
who had the pleasure of witnessing them The day
was delightful one for, while the sky was almost
cloudles fine breeze swept the beautiful plain
or parade and camp ground.
The number Of visters very large-for what with
the families and parties, from every section of the
Union, who had taken up their summer residence with
the worthy and gentlemanly host of the West Point
Hotel, and those who called together by the ex
animation and attendant exercises-ths display of
beauty and fashion such to occasion surprise to
who had been used to think of West Point as a
sort of retired spot-a pretty rural resort Among the
ladies' there not few that present to share
in the triumphs of a brother, a son, or cousin or
friend, who had passed the severe ordeal of examine
ton, and come out with flying coors. The dear crea
lures not only tongue to their rejoicing but feet
alsofor they fairly danced and skipped about for joy
while good looking young fellows in cadet grey and
big buttons did the agreeable in the best manner ina
ginable.
About o'clock P. NJ, the officers Of the Military
Academy, cadets and those sojourning at the hotel
assembled in the chapel to hear the addresses of the
Hon. Ashbel Smith, of Texas, the President of the
Board of Visitors, and Col Doniphan
The cadets took possession Of the pews each side
of the middle aisle leaving those along the side asles
for the accommodation of the numerous visters who
were present on the occasion.
After the execution of several favorte national airs
thau nv Aobha Crrix A.
ing address,
Gentlemen, Cadets of the Military Academy-Your
condition is peculiar You emphatically the
sons Of the people see assembled In this hall young
republic. In one point Of view, each of you is
the representative of his district Selected you
each of is chosen to be the of the
honor and chvalrythe representative of the military
science and skillof his immediate fellow citizens and
in the aggregate of the whole country While you
cupy situation of high distinction you will also
member that you have assumed vast responsibilities
You have read that in Athens in the palmy days of
that glorious republic those citizens who had rendered
important services the State supported at the
expense Of the same To be maintained at the public
reward that could be conferred citizen for iustr
GUS public services In country ia this the great
est republic of modern times, and destined, trust
in the diffusion of the blessings of free institutions
countless millions, q new and wiser system has
tanned public COST not for what you have done but
what to do not for deeds of great benefit to
the State already performed but for services which you
are expected hereafter to render By entering this
academy and becoming the recipients Of the thorough
instruction here impaired you have incurred the
weighty and solemn obligations You have no longer
the privilege Of common citizens to live and die
obscurely We in the house dedicated to the
service of God When child is brought to
the baptismal fount here, his sponsors and himself
assume which consecrate him forever the SER
vice of God Here in these halls Of the academy ded
your friends take which bind you forever to the
special service of your country 1t is true that the
years. but the obligation is in honor and honesty
perpetual you cannot be absolved from them
Hannibal was taken to the altar at nine years of age
and there sworn to eternal vengeance against the
mics Of his country At these affairs of military science
you sworn to be in especial manner the defen-
ders of country For this purpose selected
from than twenty millions of people-the eyes of
more than twenty millions of people upon you.
Not to perform the duties devoving to the ut
most extent of your abilities would be dishonor
to abandon them wholly, is disgrace. By becoming
members of the Military Academy, you soon become
members also of that numerous and gallant corps the
officers Of the American army. Those officers most of
them graduates Of this Academy have won imperisha-
Your relation to them Is somewhat peculiar as shall
presently show. In the long range Of history have
Grande and the valley of Mexico, for the brilancy
and rapidity Of the victories and Importance their
results Pao Alto, Resaca de la Palma Monterey Bue
Vista. Vera Cruz. Cerro Gordo, Contreras, Cheru
busco, Molino del Rey, Chapultepec Sacramento and
the city Of Mexico; why these very names from their
number would confuse the memory for the bright
glory which CLEANS over each one of these great battle
fields Rome and Greece in their most daring and
brilliant exploits have been rvaed If not surpassed
Scpo burned his ships the coast Of Afrcat render
retreat of his army hopeless Not from rashness but
deliberate valor, impeed by the smallness of his COM
munication with the sea coast when he left
Puebla the curtain closed him and his army
for nearly two months. We lost sight Of them
We trembled, but not afraid. We knew
the valor of the soldiers, and that that vaor was
directed by officers Of most accomplished science
and approved skill. 1t was to no furious and un-
disciplined valor that the thinking of this
try trusted The science of West Point Academy
there represented in of her most honored sons
At length the curtain which had concealed them rose
and unveiled Contreras and Churubusco Swiftly follow
ed the victories of Moline del Rey Chaputepec and the
behed the star spangled banner streaming over the
great city of the Aztecsthe city Mexico had fallen
before the science and skill which taught on the
very ground whereon we are now standing. We have
glowed with enthusiasm reading the retreat Of the
ten thousand Greeks to their own country after the
battle of Cunaxatwo thousa miles, through deserts
and untains covered With recorded in
the immortal narrative ofXenophon their comma nder
That wonderful retreat rivaled in the ex
petition Of the Missouri volunteers under the gallant
Col. Doniphan. Three thousand FIVE hundred miles.
through deserts and over mou ntans covered
with eternal SHOWS that gallant officer brought his COM
mand safely to their homes. His not a retreat,
however, his progress was onward in pursuit Of the
wherever he encountered the enemy, he was vctori-
Gus. That gentleman, who allows me to claim him as
my friend, has avowed to me the great he
derived during his march from the scientific skill Of off,
Of his command who were graduates Of this acade
my. Was not right in saying that these officers of
army have covered themselves with impcrishabe re-
nown! But wherein is your condition peculiar You
who now coming after them have to sustain the
great rsuown which they acquired. In the event of
any future war-which God grant may DO forever
averted- say in the event Of any future war, If you
come short Of their great achievements disgrace will
be your portion. You will be required to come up to
the measure Of their glory The campaigns of Mexico
will live in the undyng memory Of the country The
vaor of the actors will be recorded in history and
chanted in song Think not that victory and defeat
are the sport of chance War is now problem on
the black board which science solves To you- you ug
gentlemen. the question is, will you learn to solve It
If you would do you must here lay the foundations
and acquire much Of the knowledge which will enable
you to solve it. But other victories were gained by
these battlesvictories at home over ignorance and
prejudice. The batteries of Ringgold and Duncan.
which moved down the ranks of our enemies in
Mexico, moved down with their unerring aim the
mics of this academy, in their own country loud
cheers) The academy has fought itself into favor at
home the science, skill sodierly department and valor