Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-08-05

actual practice for the religious instruction ~
the Cadet, and the recomme nd ations of IN.
committee are deserving Of most mature De.
liberation. Whatever differences of opinion
may prevail among the various Christian de
nominations, all believe that the true founds
ton Of individual morality and national pros
perlty lies in the Divine precepts Of the W ord
OF God. Every facility should be afforded 70
tnose VINO are receiving at this school the cd
ucatlon which shall fit them for the service of
sneI country TO be early trained in al the
uuues which pertain TO them in their relations
.ne supreme Law Giver. The Bible, O. .
IeAt oook, opens q " department of knovl-
eise Nnicn, Ike an ample palace, contains
ih Itsei mansions for every other kpowl-
oS "mcu aeePens and extends the interest
OF every other, gives il new charms and addi-
uonal purpose, and ought not 20 be vithbeld
from the Cadets Of this Institution Risht Of
conscience should be most sacreily euar5ss
but this may be done by the means suegest.a
oy the committee on Sabbath Bible instruo-
ton under the Limitations and conditions con.
tanned In their report, and by such resula.
tlols as snail protect this place from being
made gala day by military displays for the
admlring multitudes who throng il on the
oaooath day for the purpose. Whatever good
pOiicy may dictate as required for the common
soldier does not necessarily apply to the Cadet,
ana under proper system Of religious in.truo-
lon would not apply.
ihere are special considerations which make
TINS suoJect OF grave Importance. Many of
the graduates of the Institution are stationed
at our frontier posts, and are, in A erest de-
gree, removed from the stated means Of grace
Let them leave this Academy without the
prlnciples OF the pure morality Of the Bible
and they soon fall prey TO the temptations
which there beset sOldier-life. But let them
oe furnished with the blessings Of our holy
iehglon, and how much would their influence
be felf through the Bible class and the Sab.
bath school, upon the rank and Gle of the
army and bow mighty would it tell upon the
virtue ana intelligence Of our people. To
give, then, the fullest efficacy to these import-
ant suggestions, the Board would earnestlv
recommend that the duties Of Chaplain be
separated from the professional department of
the Academy, and that a professor.hip of
moral ana Political philosophy and belles-let.
tres be established.
A review Of the extensive field Of inouirv
committed to the Board has convinced them
that 10: full discharge Of their duty much
thought, and patient sni laborious exanina.
ton are required. Most of those who usually
constitute these Boards Of Visitation come
here entirely unacq TAINTED with the practical
operations OF the Institution, and just ss they
begin to understand their work, their duty
terminates 1t has hence occurred Ia IN.
Board, that If three members Of the preceding
Board Werc invited, in connection with the
regular appointees of any one year, each
Board would possess the advantage 20 be
gained by their experience and knowledge.
ihey would also recommend, as an important
auxiliary in their duty, that the Superintend.
ent be directed to prepare each wear and in
advance OF the meeting Of the Board, a "a
tatled report Of the operations and yants OF
the Academy, such report 70 embrace the re
ports Of the heads Of the various depart
ments, and to be laid before the Board on in
organization.
1t is presumed also to be the intention of
tne law tnat the actual expenses Of the MEM
bers of the Board should be met sv IN. nro-
vision made for them. In the experience of
TINS Board, this provision is insufficient, and
tney would recommend that the law be mod
lhed so as to provide an allowance for mileage
at the rate OF ten cents per mile, and for cur
rent expense 80 per day during the session of
the Board
The Board would take thi. occasion 10 az
press their obligations to the Superintendent,
professors, and officers of the Academy. for
the courtesy which they have on all occasions
extended towards them. Every facility has
been afforded to enable them 10 acouaint
themselves with the condition and wants Of
the Institution.
And now, in closing the duties which have
engaged their attention during a laborious
N~SoSA Va eiANSOh TIC DOdru Ch00Ot sep
arate without the expression of the high salts
faction which their visit has given them. Rep
resentlng, as they do, fourteen distinct States
OF this great Confederscy, coming together a.
strangers to each other, to consult over the
interests OF an important national Institution,
they part with sentiments Of profound and
honest pride, sentiments which they are sure
are responded TO By their constituents that
their country has established SO noble an TO-
stltution as the United States Military Acsd-
envy. While differences Of opinion have oe-
caslOnslly existed in ii cir consideration of the
various questions of public policy which relate
TO the conduct of this great school, their sea
sion has been one Of the greatest qrmony and
Satisfaction, and the views which they beg
leave now 10 present, the result Of their united
and concurrent labOfs
We have the honor 10 be, very respectfully,
your obedieut servants
FRANCIS II SxnrH, Ct Va,
President Of the Board.
4. b. SEXTON, of Texas,
Secretary Of the Board.
WV III. DUNCAN, Of n. ii.
JOHN WHEELER, Of Vermont.
LIrrLEJoHs kIRKPATRICk, of Y. J.
JoHN b. SPorswooD, of Delaware.
X 4. SIM son, of South Carolina.
Wh. b READ, of Kentucky.
u. EASTMAN, of Tennessee.
JOHN HeNDRICks, of Indians.
w. w. ROMAN, Of Illinois.
JOHN J. LoURY, Of Missouri.
WIN L. BARBOUR, Of California
A. +. BURNSIDE, Of Rhode Island.
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