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


aware OF the momsntous accession TO our country ID
the empire We have acquired from Mexico but this II
NOT the TINE 70 dwell on this topic Our various climes
everything needed for support defence
nience, comfort and luxury. fact hitherto unexam-
pied on this earth-our country has carried great
ioiesn way has firnshed enormous qua ntities of pro-
visona )r sale In foreign countries and besides this
has sent gratuious shpoads of food in national
wells 10 the starving poor in land 5000 miles from
own shores. Such are the of our soil and
the industry OF our people. Our country is
by numerous harbors traversed by mighty rivers suit
able Tor internal navigation, rendering ii eminently
adapted to commerce. In the bosom of mount al
and hills repositories of coal sufficient to burn
over the habitable earth-and of iron, to supply
all It's population. will not stop to speak OF rich
mines OF silver and goldthe fisheries on
coastsnor Of the thousand other bounties where
with benincent Providence has blessed the country
own, above every other under the 1t is indeed
noble country gentlemen, and well worthy all our
abors the service of lives to develope its
and to defend against foreign aggression should we
be hereafter attacked Larger populations and even
broader territories have hitherto been held together
under single government but dssonant in language,
race they have been held together only by the vgor
q metropolitan government, or the strong arm of
military force. Such governments must crumble to
pieces-they have permanency they destitute of
the elements of adhesion. But broad as is land,
wide spread as are our people, they in language
one in institutions homogeneous in race Not only
have the elements of greatness but also of perpe
tuity beyond any other people on the face of the
earth But five may thank God in all humility, for tho
to rejoice in the institutions under which we
live. In our form of government we particu-
isrly happy; It was the boast Of the Athenians
selves not derived from others, and that they
served as q model to other nations. This praise may
be claimed pre- eminenty for our institutions The
force example is revolutionzing all Europe at
this moment The of free institutions of self
in this country the staring fact of the
American nation carrying on war and at the same
time feeding the starving poor of the old world is pro-
noting the extension of republican government with
force and rapidity hitherto unknown Why, it is but
yesterday, 1t WERE that France swept away the last
vestiges Of monarchy which with slight interruption
had existed for more than a thousand years. to make
way for republican institution in the main derived
from our own. tremendous cheers) Young gentle
men OF the academy, you are now on the Threshold
of life but perhaps the absurdity of monarchy and
aristocracy has never struck you adequately. Turn
your eyes to this academy 1t is perfect republic.
Honors are awarded to those who win them. The
demc staff is composed of gentlemen who have dstin
guished by their proficiency here gone
by. Suppose for a moment that the distinctions of
the academy were awarded, not to merit, but
conferred brthrght-that the officers were select
ed not for their requirements, but that the professor
ships the hereditary bthrght of former professors
and officers; What would be your standard of ex-
than that Of heriditary monarchs and aristocrats.
The proficiency you have made in your studies, as
the Board of Vsers that you have comprehe
and will do your duty.
Gentlemen, your career is now before you you wish
attain the highest hHnors of
procure you advancement in lineal rank, but
1t is only eminent services which can give you
Gentlemen, every action of your life, every aspira-
ton Of your heart. should be for the honor and ad
vancement Of your country. Bestowing thus your
lives on your country you will receive praise that
will never decay sepulchre that will be most illus
triousnot that in which your bones shall be moulder-
ing-your bones may whiten on foreign strand they
may moulder in Mexico other lands, happily be
brought home to be entombed in your native soil
yesterday-but your names will be remembered when
ever the discourse is of honor glory and patriotism
and your true sepulchrcs will be in the undying graft
tude, the eternal remembrance Of your country [rhe
speaker here made allusion to the burial Of Colonel
Whipple graduate of the academy, who died in
Mexico, and whose remains were buried yesterday
with funeral honors, pointing towards the ceme-
terry the allusion was understood by all present.
Col. Whipple was member If the class that gradua-
ted in 1885, and died at Perote about year ago. of
disease contracted during the campaign in Mexico.
ment in the cemetery, in accordance with his dy-
ing request. MIR. Perley Whipple, and Miss Whipple,
of Warren Mass brother and sister of the deceased
followed his remains to their lasting resting place, to
which they were consigned with military honors.-
NorE ny THE REPORTER
The PRESIDENT of the B GARD then said-Geutlemen
you will now be addressed by another member of the
Board Of visiters Col Donphan. will not discredt
your Intelligence, do injustceo the reputation of
the gallant gentleman, by attempt to Inform you
who Col. Donphan is.
Col. DoSIpHAS then came forward and after making
an apology to the audience in advance for any fault
which might be observed by them in his mode of de-
livery he and had been for several days quite
indisposed he proceeded follows -
Gentlemen of the Graduating Classify the kind
hospitality Of my colleagues have been deputed to
express the qualification which the Board of Visitors
have received from witnessing your examinationno
your examination alone but that Of all the classes
regret that my duties as member of the Board and
the large number of friends and visiters by whom I
have been constantly surrounded, preclude me from
presenting you with address worthy of your atten
ton, instead of mere innction your patience and
test of your politeness You will, trust however,
take the will for the deed look to the feeling which
DrO nd no fbp faahl of In
You have now completed your collegiate and
ready to enter upon the active duties of profess
son that If honoraby and zealously pursued rarely
fails to lead to honorable distincton-you have been
selected by your country her peculiar
have been educated by her bounty for her interest
and the advantage Of your countrymen, and not
for the mere purpose Of bestowing upon you in
dividuals the blessings of this thorough of
scientific instructions. That country now looks to
you with confidence to fulfil the high and ennoblins
purposes for which you have been educated. Yours
Is profession of great labor although it is road to
honorable distinction-superiority and renown can
only be obtained by industry. Your destiny is
to a great extent, in your own hands-you have mas
tered only the elements of your profession 1t you
have laid the deep foundation of scientific and militia
ry learning and upon such basis you can erect the
most noble superstructure You have yet much to
learn of military history of the composition of armies
Of the strategy of to learn by what strokes
of genius, great victories have been won by what
mistake or defect, overwhelming numbers have been
20 often defeated. War was originally mere means
Of satatng savage vengeance-orignatng with barba-
rans 1t partsok Of all the erceness Of its origin but
in the rapid march of improvement in government in
science, in morals and religion, it has become
science-a very complicated one, indeed indeed it is
a combination of all the scencesthe proper officer is
not only master Of all the precise Sciences (f may
that term) from the first elements of plain arith
metic to the most sublime problems in astronomy-but
his learning must be varied, indeed, almost infinite
There is scarcely branch taught in the whole range
Of learning from the study Of which he may not do
rive great advantage. He should have correct know
ledge ofmltary, international and to extent Of
municipal laws Indeed he cannot fail to find ample
necessity for such knowledge at every step He has
not only to settle questions Of msment Of interna
tiona law, arising with neutral nations. and with
the citizens of neutral nations in the prelimnarcs of
treaties in every armistice concludedn every truce
or cspitulation-but knowledge of diplomacy will also
found useful not indispensable And the great &C.
neral who plans campaigns, should not be igno-
rant Of political economy; he should fully un-
derstand the recources of his own, and the
enemys country, the products and supplies,
the points from which they must DO obtained we'll
as the and cost Of transportation. In addition
to this ample store Of useful knowledge -parndoxcal
as it may appear to the superficial observerthe
full officer should be enducd with every Christian vr
tue Patient in suffering whether from hunger thirst
fatigue scorchng suns, piercing colds drenching rains,
Il HI.