The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-10-02
OF FICIAL L.
TnE usIrEp STATES MILITARY AcADEMY.

Academy al Wsst Point June, 1855.
Hon JEFFERSON DAVIS, Secretary Of War;
SIR The Board of Vsers invited ito attend the annual
examination of the United States Military Academy to
examine into the actual state Of discipline instruction.
police administration fiscal affairs and other concerns OF
the Institutions and report the results of their examine
ton to the Secretary Of War" met at West Point New
York the LIST Of June, in accordance with the regua
lions of the academy and Of the letter of invitation under
which they acted
The board having been organized received the official
visit and courteses of the academic staff and under the
Of the superintendent and various officers proceeded
to visit the different departments Of the institution and
thence to the review of the corps of cadets.
From the review the board proceeded to the officers
mess-room partakc Of the Inequalities Of the supen-
On the I'd of June the annual examination OF the
cadets Of the United States Military Academy commenced
and continued daily except on Sundays, until COM
peted The board met daily for the transaction OF bust
The examinations were held in the library and
were continued from o M till p m, and from 3 p m,
till s, pm
The board ais attended the daily exhibition of the
ercises in the different of the service The cadets
showed the SKILL efficiency, and perfect training needfa for
all the varied emergencies of active service.
Committees the subjects prescribed in your letter OF
invitation were organized During the progress of the
animation these committees have Investigated all the sub
ecs named assisted by the officers the books and records
Of the institution thorough knowledge of every part
of the academy thus obtained not only in the general
the whole system. The results of this system were seen in
the proficiency of the graduating class
The board impressed with the Importance of this
institution the interests of country. Its
practical working has been displayed in training large
number of for the public service who have shown
the results of that training in their skill and bravery
officers of the line and Of the staff on the battlefelds
of Mexico and in the professions and employmens of civil
life
The utilitaan character of this institution and the inn
porance Of fostering improving, and extending its
benefits greater number than have enjoyed them here
tore is longer question 1t is believed that the go-
rous results of the campaigns in Mexico have removed the
popular prejudces which were growing against this
academy The people had not distinctly before that
the practical effects Of instructng and training cadets
in time of peace to act efficiently in time Of war.
The committee discipline after due investigation give
it as their opinion the system in the United States
Military Academy is admirably adapted in all its parts to
cultivate and form habits Of order, SYSTEM puncuaty
responsibility, subordnaton obedience, and consequent
efficiency. The system fully organized, developed and
carried out into practice in each department. and works
tremendously in oil its parts as in great machine that
performs the duties required Of it in the most perfect
No other institution In country has the power
carry out in practice such system Of perfect discipline
The United States Military Academy has holds upon the
cadets by the bonds Of honor reputation and his pledge
under OATH his future position and rank in the service his
selrespec and his regard for the feelings of his family
and friends which have strength and power over him RI
vailed by other institution unless the naval school at
Annapolis be excepted.
The board concur with the committee discipline
that the efficiency of the discipline unexceponabs and
they offer but suggestion that may tend to make it
more perfect viz The Board Of Visitors recommend that
the authorities Washington should always sustain the
decisions of the academic board and Of courts-maria
less for good and special reasons
cadet renstated in the academy after deliberate and
careful examination trial. and sentence of dsmission by
a
tends to parayze and destroy the discipline of the instr
tuition.
The instruction the Military Academy constitutes one
of the chief claims to the confidence and respect Of the
country The mathematics, and the application Of mathe
mates to the exact sciences, which thoroughly
taught in this institution, we'll calculated to develop
gradually the powers of the mind and train to habits Of
close nductye reasoning The languages here taught bab
iuae the pupil TO note the minute shades of difference in
the meaning words and in the forms ofexpresson Many
of the studies specially tend to cultivate the memory thus
reason and memory strengthened by the taxing OF
their powers But the of instruction is such that
memory cannot be substituted for the deductions Of
soning. t3h
Merit and proficiency the sole bases Of standing in
the classes The impartiality patience and unwcared Ia
Dor Of the professors instructors and their assistants in
all the departments of the institution deserve commenda
ton The board take pleasure in saying that in their
opnion both the and modes of instruction those
most approved in highest institutions Of learning.
instruction IN the several arms OF the military service
given both theoretically and practically.
The moral and religious instruction by the chaplain and
professor of ethics is deemed of great importance the
young who brought together here from every dis
ct Of country The cadets have the benefit of good
sound religious instruction from the pulpit and Bible
class is open such will attend Sunday afternoons
The board regret that there is prevailing higher
al and religious sentiment and proper Of account
biliy This however, is not occasoned by the lack of
proper moral and religious influences The good Influences
OF the Christian exhibited to the cadets in the daily
walk and example Of their chaplain, by several of their
professors, and by among their comrades The
Improvement to the of instruction recently intro
duced by the addition of another year. together with the
evidences Of Christianity and the reasoning such sub
ects brought before the minds Of the cadets will it is be-
loved tend to neutraze and in degree to remove
the evil Such instruction will show the pupils of the
Military Academy that there other kinds of evidence
than mathematical monstratonknds of evidence that
entitled the most serious consideration and that are
the basis of almost all the opinions decisions and belief Of
mankind.
Among the studies introduced by the addition Of
the fifth year to the academic history rhetoric
composition defamation, and constitutional and inter
national law. These studies evidently will exert i'm
porant influence in enabling the young perform in
life their duties officers in the public service and
iptal