The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-08-11
Report n tho Board or Visitors to West
I'm Point Academy.
WEsr PoINr. N. Y. june IT, 1852.


quently.) from a. many States of the Confedc-
racy. assembled at this place ON the lst day of
June, and organized the Board of Visitors for the
year 1852. The purposes designed we're to attend
tho annual examination of the cadets, to investi
gate the condition Of the Military Academy in re-
ference to the several subjects brought to their
tice by your letter, and to report to you the resut
Of their inquiries, together with any recommends
tons which might appear to them judicious or i'm
portant.
The Board commenced their proceeding under
the profound conviction that national military
academy, organized in the best manner and con-
Quoted on just principles, must be OF the very
hghsst ualue to the United States. 1t is conceived
that the period is distant when the passions Of in
dividuals shall be subdued to perfect humanity,
and the ambitious and often interruptions rivalry
Of nations shall be diverted into the elevated paths
Of generoVs and honorable competition in indus
trial andSbther pursuits. War must, therefore,
continue to be praoticed and the science and art
which guide Its arms to the surest and speediest
results, while involving in their study the uses
many Of the arts, should be thoroughly Instr ucted
TO omit such instruction would be to place this
Confederacy far in rear of all the enlightened
tons Of the world in the scale Of importance which
is likewise that Of self interest and respectability;
and the power OF sef.protection would be greatly
impaired. 1t may be we'll supposed that this coun
try 10 not 80 remote in geographical position, nor
90 powerful and prolific Of means and appliances
for resistance, as ~ be exempt from the possibility
OF hostile invasion, with its train Of injurious
sequences. The militia will constitute the great
bulwark Of defence, and in past warfare, 30
again in that of the future, their strong and
brave hearts are ample guarantees against entire
subjugation. But to cast among them the seed Of
military knowledge-to train them in the highest
principles OF methodical war-to impart TO them
skill, and inspire them with confidence, would
serve to insure and hasten success, while often
averting perils, and always escaping the dsgrace
which 90 frequently results from misdirected ef
forts.
may be assumed that impressions similar to
these ind uced, on the part Of " Arlington, the ur
gent and repeated recommendations of the foun-
daion Of q national military institution. The very
last (pubshed) letter Of his life Of the 18th of De-
cember, l779, contained plea in its behalf He de.
sired such seminary to be established on a "re.
spectacle and extensive basis and he regarded it
as ian object of primary importance to the coun-
try" As the farewell legacy of the Father of his
Country, this conception, afterwards embodied into
durable form, and existing at the present day an
ornament and an honor to the Confederacy, whileit
proud monument to his patriotic forecast, should
te fostered and cherished by the American people.
The Academy at West Point was erected under
the administration OF Jefferson; and in its humble
beginning was destined to educate officers solely
Tor the corps of military engineers. During the
war OF 1872 its eleves were distinguished for capa-
city and SKILL and proved themselves the equals at
least Of their British antagonists. About that pc
course Of instruction was enlarged. With the
favor OF the Government and the people these
have continued their progress TO the present time.
Inc army in all its arms of service is the recipient
81 highly educated and accomplished officers, and
the branches Of knowledge taught have become, in
their variety and extent, all that can be studied in
the term of four years.
In consequence OF the efficiency, the gaantry,
and the skill of its graduates, displayed more par.
ucuarly In the recent war, the Academy appears
at length to be duly appreciated by oil classes of
our fellow-citizens The moment ID favorable to
extend its usefulness to the entire country by
larging its sphere Of benefits.
These would unquestionably enure from in
creasing' the number of pups-from impelling
the energy, and kindling the enthusiasm OF its
conductors, Of all grades by justly, if not gener
ousy, compromising their servces-from adding
all the facilities OF comfort, convenience, and Of
instruction, by liberal expenditure towards the
various improvements hereinafter mentioned; from
extending the term of study to five years, which
would elevate the standard Of education beyond
that Of any similar institution in the world. In
q word, from regarding the Military Academy as
the great national seminary OF the science OF war,
and as the nursery of fitted for all the higher
spheres Of human action, and in accordance cher
shng It with the nations affections, and promoting
its noblest ends with the nations bounty.
The Board Of Visitors, after minute and faithful
examination, are gratified in expressing their
tire appreciation Of the basis upon which the insti
tuition was founded, and their concurrence with its
general management. The accommodating expert.
ences Of fifty years, carefully noted, and improved
upon in practice from time to time, when p .ssibe
to do 30, leave little now TO be altered; and the
Board, in the main, have only to recommend ap-
preparations for necessary physical improvements
TO afford comfort to the professors, and give facl
ties for certain instruction, while placing the Acad
envy on the most respectable footing. In all the
my Of expenditure, ana efficiency in the adaptn.
tons Of the means to secure the design. In the
external improvements. in the military exercises,
ia the branches OF study. Except logic,) in tho
n m in md infa nHppr IF ifoo
fairs, and in the discipline which, sanctioned by
the authority Of law, and indispensable to the i'm.
minent success of a military institution, 10 the
grand cement Of all the parts, giving symmetry of
form and vigor of action to the united whole. the
Board give their cordial assent and commentator.
With the view OF institutng the most searching
scrutiny which the brief period of less than three
weeks would permit, committees were appointed
from the Board, to each Of which prominent sub
ject was entrusted. Reports were rendered, and
having been discussed before the Board, and adopt
stitute the body of the general report and accom-
pany 1t in the order in which they were presented
and accepted. In order to attract more readily
the attention, the several recommendations of the
Board to be found distributed through the reports
Of the committees, and a few not reported on are
grouped up together and numbered as follows:
l. 1t is recommended that sixty two additional
cadets be authorized to correspond to the Senator's
allowing two Tor each State
2. That the pay Of the cadets be increased 81 20
month. or making $2s 20 per month, which
granted previously to 1916. The amount at pres
ent is insufficient, 1924 O0O nearly all who grad
uatc are involved in debt, in despite Of the Prac-
ice here of the most rigid system OF economy.
3. That the pay of the superintendent be in
creased from $4,000 to $4,000. The entertain
nent Of distinguished men, scientific and other
wise, from abroad and ut home, who visit tins
place, is thrown almost wholly this officer, and
Tor the credit Of the hospitality of the nation, it
must be and is borne. The present superintendent
has, in some seven years, since being stationed at
Ibis post, expended $4,000 over his pay.
4. That the pay OF the instructors of drawing
and French be made equal with that of the princ-
pals in other departments. They receive $ 500
b year, the others $4,000.
s. That the instructors (principa) of practical
Engineering, and of artillery, &C.. be- allowed the
Pame compensation rs other principal professors.
6. That the first assistant instructors Of drawing
and French be allowed the same pay as the fret
assistant in all tho other departments. There is
40 reason In the world why the present distinction
should exist.
7. That all the secondary instructors and teach
re- taken firm tho army be allowed $40 per
month extra pay. The expenses Of dress and
poard are much greater here than elsewhere in
ervice But tho especially forciblc reason is to in
luce the highest order of tness nd merit from the