The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-06-20

the undaon Of all science These exercises may appear
pose who not know that the physical educaton Of
youth constituted important element Of the
us that 1t was owing to the early training Of the
Persian youth in the management Of the horse,
that their uDrivalled cava'ry became the terror OF
surrounding nations. Another historian informs us
that the scythan ambassador, who laughed in
whom he first witnessed the gymnasc exercises
LOT tne Armenian youths. forciby reminded by his
Atbepisn companion that it owing to this ca, ly
training Of tbei. youth that the Greeks enabled to
yourg Alexander when msneuverihg his phslsnx Of Ma
cedonan boys was already laying the foundation of that
to the nous; aud the youpg Napoleon when engaged
his mimic warfare at the school Of Brenne matur.
tg in embryo those mighty combinations and strategic
Operations at which the world long stood ahast In
nations where there is ment culture ply
scs training s the only element OF strength 1t is this
that renders the Bedoun of the desert and the Ca nan
che of the praires, terrible in irregular warfare;
whilst they are utterly powefless against charging
on ana mpeDeaois squares It was the conbi
ton and physical cipline, which developed those pc
cuisr traits in the G,ecian character, that have
never, perhaps been equAlled since. Their warriors,
statesmen philosophers, and poeM throsged to the
Olympic games as well to compete in the lists ho
nor these athlete by their and the of
victory thus obtsned equally przsd with that OF the
battle field with the hoDors of the forum the acsde
my, or the porch 1t is this combiI ion of mentl and
physical discipline that constitutes the peculiar excel
lepce Of this institution, and you, gentlsmen have
reached that period in lite, when reflection and expe
rence cannot fail to teach you how to appreciate that
self denial on the hand and that self elance the
other which you have regarded in the early part of
your c0urae rs the hard and ue exactons Of 40 unre
lentipg discipline. Often doubt have you wondered
when mounting guard in ipceDenl weather, when per-
forming In bsrracbs those duties which domestic life
pertain TO menia hands; when parakiDg Of that plain
ar substantial ia which ence has proven to be
most promotve of physical vigor, and conducive to
sure amid this scenery Of beauty and grandeur that
surrounds you, so tempting to the buoyant heart
Of Of ssa the nsr, sss
pne- often say have you no donbt wondered why you
sooud be deberred from thoe epjoyments known the
sons f luxury and o. But The benefit of all this
discipline begins to da upon your minds aud
when hereafter brought in rude contact with the
world and the ischaree those manly duties which
in its fun force You will then that not only has
acversity its uses to idea Of the great English
bard. but that being taught the duties incident I'D
veTst in tie DAYS Of prosperity better enables to
bear the burdens and adapt ourselves to tho exger Of
IN our journey along the pathway Of life You will theu
be the better enabled to appreciate the trials and ocu
1' Ses 10 s sdu
your proficiency and good conduct, and how their
hearts have been re0t with pain in being CON-
ab<rrations from tho line of doty. Instead Of
looking on them as hard task masters, you will
will swell with gratitude and affection for those men who
lard the ure Of usefulness and fame
upon such solid and enduring foundation. Qmuense
discharge Of your professional duties whether the
military service of your country 10 the pursuits of
ance, whether bvouacirg in the enemys country de-
Tending our own flag or on our own soll-wherher
posed to the priv.ons OF garrison duty extended
frontiers to the dangers of savage warfare amid the
sopdes ct our western foretswhe,her exposed to the
peetilental fevers of Atlantic and aluvia
streams or pioneering the way Of civilization
rugged m0untains-whether suffering from the pangs of
hunger ard thirst distant Marches enduring the
tedun and inactivity of life In camp-whether called to
your country amid the SHOWS of Wisconsin the
burning sands Of Texas the vast plains of Minnesota
Nebraska the eorges ard dees Of CaoI and Ore
QNunr will rvpith hnIa0 do
light to your schcolboy days at West Point where
you were taught those habits of self deaisl
elements end which perved your aims and emboieDed
your hearts for conflict with the trials Of soldiers life.
lAppsuse In the coure Of my observation 10 the dis
with the fact how entirely subol cipate the Ornamental
is made to the useful in the Of instruction at
West Point mean no disearsgement to the collegiate
institutions of our countryso far from it have
to feel proud Of the high ion to which these
ons have elevated AID are still elevatug the standard
OF bearing amergst us But in common With all other
collegiate institutions of the world the mau purpose
seems to be to convert yonths into menwhereas the
Dain object here at West Point be to prepare
youths for the discharge of those duties which devolve
upon them when tlsy become to be This system of
ipsn ucton regard 70 be, not ouly in conformity with
the laws Of develops apd progress unded
raj principles, but also in strict adaptation the spirit
OF the age and the genius Of American aud
Amt,c Institutions. Ever since the mind
o. Bacon pru he'd the cObwebs OF sophis try with
which the philosophy of the achoos bad for ages stered
the hun an mind in regard to the duty Of aud the
OF arriving truth the enlightened judgment Of
the pod wherever opinion is fee has been Ia. vergng
to The conclusion that the duty of consists 10 being
useful his fellows and that truth is to be arrived
not through prior assumptions but by process of
pductive experience. government in acting on this
system Is bound to aid in deveo aud appyiog for
public The talents ard energies and virtues Of all
without respect to the conditions Of BIRTH TO tune
social position HoH beautifully and hamoniously he
- stem education and dsci pine ~hch sou been
taught here calculated to conduce TO this end You
your good fortune in first obtaining admission here and
in this cay reaching the goal Of your long cherished
bopes TO of those adveLttions influences which
hsye sdve,ted The object OF your eouoty in senoing
you here to make useful to your fellow country
men. Those entrusted with your education have been
governed by this great ua rriucpe Thes have
in Bcely ta need csss weighed the ahors the achieve
ments and obedience TO duty Of all aod every you
The mode of your selection aod the method of your
strucon, most beautiful reflex OF the n,ture nd
wo' kif of our free inh uous. There road
of birth or position to admission here and presume
bitter esperer ce has thoroughly taught every Of
tfa there royal road 10 learning here (Great sp
plause There is no inequality recognized here but that
Of merit The very unifolnr which you wear. your re
sfriction to the kind of fare of quarters OF obe
to authority all serve TO impress you the great
truth that equal merit will you equal henOrs
that up that steep sscert from the top of winch ame's
proud temple shines afar the road broad enough for
every one OF ou to march ABREAST Aud then ag ain,
what stls ing lesson is taught you by all the assoca
tioDs connected with your Of Instruction here
Have you of wealth end nde pend.n home
which renoer all effort at Iecunary gain your parts
unnecessary Here you bave been practically taught Tho
moral truth that money svaluable only to the
attainment oflawfu ends that its possession entities
no one TO superior rark bis fellows and that know
ui6es On the other hand, any OF you poor this
worlds soodsf Be not discouraged (ensaton) in the
position you now occupy and in the Possession those
ataipmeIts which secured to you that position, you
bave that which is far more precious than rubesn
friend, of which neither the world misfortune can
deprive you-a treasure, which the Else and good
appreciate uch more highly than rents dividends
lanes herds fields, rich for the harvest (Great
applause) Have you high social position at home
where the honors and aBinoses Of influential friends
and fas ashionabe life avail you Here you have been
taught The good moral lesson that these advantages
derabe and pleasant they may be- should allow
You to look down with ddain upon the plain obscurty
Of humble and unpretending life Your country, in
calling Tor the services of her sons and in dispensing
the rewards of merit here recognizes no dstipc ton
but that of personal worth--and that family pride
and social caste weigh nothing 10 the scale against
those poble qualities, the possession Of which by
you, are matters of record 10 the archives of this
institution or If perchance from peculiar bias in
early lie, you tale different view of this matter then
recolect II you have high social position among family
and friends there Is an adoitoDal responsibility
uIon you TO sustain and preserve IL by your influence
and example On the other hand you Of obscure aud
humble parentage, whose only social position is their
whore only fortune is their simnle and hon.