The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1857-02-13
From the Nashville Union
HERMITAGE.

HERMITAGE. ..-...
The legislature of Tennessee at its last session. pur-
chased the Hermitage containing five hundred acres at
cost of fifty thousand dollars and directed to be
ed the government of the United States site for the
extension Of our National Military Academy.
Governor Johnson Che chief magistrate of the State
has just visited the city of Washington and rendered It to
the President of the United States pursuant the act
The President received it with favor aud laid it before
Congress. The question is aShal it be accepted1"
We are decidedly in favor of it, and hope large
ority Of the senators and representatives will to the
game conclusion, after due consideration.
The United States Military Academy at West Point was
established in 1902 and after test of fifty years. public
opinion has decided to be institution of necessity and
merit
Ours is government where the citizen must be the
soldier and the service voluntary. Let kings and crowns
rely upon standing armies paid to fight their battles
this free country need such Incentives action and
are burdened with such expenditures citizens own
the soil and they have homes and fresdes to Defend and
wo to the foe that dare invade them.
No nation has reliable defence; but 1t is right
and wise to educate certain portion of them the theory
and practice Of war; that they may instruct and direct the
brave czen-sodier who brings TO the field indomitabe
courage but is unframed This best be done by
lsrgpg the means of this kind of education which the
present plan proposes.
More than half century has passed by snce the West
Point Academy was established by Congress, and located
in New York which then the centre of territory
and population But now Florida, Alabams Mississippi
Louisiana Arkansas and Texas famed by the soft
breezes of the Gulf Of Mexico and widespread California
with her mineral wealth. by the breath of the mild Pacific
These southern and western empires have been added to
our national limits since that period and the young cadet
reared under the influence of genial sun, may find the
snow-slad hills of the Hudson unriendy TO his constitu
ton We therefore say take the Hermitage and make it
the winter residence of oil the Cadets you please
practical school for eucampment for the dragon
vice. or such other combustion as the War Department
and Congress may determine.
II Is peculiarly fitted for the extension contemplated. 1t
contains 500 Of ground, beautifully located in rich
country where provisions for and horses cheap
twelve miles from Nashville in healthful country and In
the South compared West Point accessible south
ern railroads forming connexions but still removed
from temptation. tsready has national distinction,
the once hospabe home AMI the resngpace of Gen.
Andrew Jackson the hero and statesman He could boast
of no monumental ancestry but the abrcator of his
own fame and fortune In life his fame was upon his
brow and Lit up every in the land and when
he sleeps in death Tennessee desires to do him honor.
She has purchased the Hermitage aud it the tomb of
this distinguished son of nation and presents her
self before Congress offer IL present that be may live
in the memory of posery he did in tho hearts of his
countrymen.
To accept requires but pitance from the treasury Of
the nation and what member Of Congress has con-
stuency who would desire him 10 vote mo- this propo