Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1852-05-20
OUR MILITARY AND NAVAL
SCHOOLS.
NO. 7.
Mn. EDITOR -

iH Oui iuob VIC 'OOh ~
general view Of the organization and
strength OF our Navy, and closed the
hasiy glance at il which cur space per-
mitted, under. the general impression
that probably il was even row too small
to protect our widely extended and rap
idly increasing commerce, TO carry our
flag and name 10 the distant egions into
which that commerce is penetrating I;
and that view Of the dangers arising
from the temptations which our COM
mercial wealth offers TO those nations
whose navics are far more powerful
than our own, but whose commerce ours
is SUPP lanting to attack and destroy ii
and thus strike terrible blow at our
advancing greatness-rendcrs an early
increase ofour navy matter OF nation
al solcitude.
The third element OF National Defense
according 10 our conditions was eff
cient and thoroughly administered Mil
itary and Naval schools"
The army and navy themselves are
schools in which both officers and men
are trained to those habits and exerci-
ses which the life they are 10 lead, and
the arms and engines Of war they are to
use, require.
But human ingenuity has turned all
the forces OF art and science TO use for
increasing the natural powers of men to
make or repel assault. The knowledge
ofart and science, now required in the
fabrication Of arms, munitions and imple-
ments Of war, and in using the forces OF
nature and art to overcome obstacles in
the way OF attack or create them in the
way Of defense, is SO great that schools
Of preparatory instruction are requisite
for the officers who are aiterw ards to
become instructors in the great common
schools OF the army and navy where this
knowledge is reduced to practise.
For our Army we have had Militia
ry Academy at West Point, on the Hud-
son River so miles above New York, es-
tablished in 1902. For so years it has
Aourished and all administrations Of both
political parties have been its supporters.
The results Of it's training have answer
ed the expectations Of It's founders and
supporters, and enabled us, without TAX
ing, as we were formerly obliged to,
the refuse and erranl talent Of Europe
an countries, a, the risk Of much conse-
quent fraud and impos,ure, to have our
army supplied with scientific officers ed
ucatcd on native soil ard filled with ma
tional sympa,hes and aspirations. BY
the present organization The chief EDgi-
nccr Its ex-aficio its Inspector. 1t is
governed by Superintendent, who is
selected from among the senior officers
OF the CorIs Of Engineers, and is assist
ed by a suitable staff. The instruction,
under his supervision lis given in
/. Mi ilary and Civil Engineering, by
a Professor of Engineering and two as
sistants.
g. Natural and experimental Philosc-
ply, by professor of NATL. and expert
mental Philosophy and three assistants.
3. In Mathematics. by Prof. Of Math-
ematics and six assistants
4. Chemistry, Mineralogy and Geolo-
gy, Ivy Professor and two assists.
5 Ethics, by Professor (who is also
Chaplain) and three asst's
6. Drawing, by Professor OF draw
ing and two assistants
7. Military Tactics, by Commandant
OF Cadets and 4 assts
8. French Language, by a Professor
and two assists
0. Artillery and Pyrotechny, by an
officer of Artillery aud two assists
10. Practical Engineering, by an officer
of Engineers, (who since the Mexican
War has had command Of company OF
sappers and miners.)
II. Cavalry Tactics, under the Instr Of
Artillery by an officer of Cavalry.
IL. Sword Exercise, by an Instructor OF
the sword exercise
l3 Riding by an Instructor OF riding.
All the Professors and the two last
named instructors are citizens, chiefly
graduates however, and the remaining
assistants are officers Of the army detail.
ed for the special duty.
Tie students, called Cadets, are war
rant officers in the service of the United
States by oath on their admission TO
serve eight years unless sooner discharg-
ed. and rank next after The lowest COM
missioned officer. They are appointed,
one from each congressional district,
beside ten annually at large, by the
President Of the United States, on the
recommendation of the member OF Con.
gress for the district, through the office
of the Inspector of the Military Acade-
my. The vacancies are filed annually
about the lst Of March The ten APP
pointments at large are allowed him TO
prov de for the orphans and other sons
OF those who have deserved well OF the
country, but could no, obtain congre.-
sional nominations
The number of Cadets is from 230 to
to $50. They ore divided into four
companies and organized, and drilled as
companies Of the army. Every Cadet