The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-06-11
THE MILITARY ACADEMY Ar WEST POINT.

Riding Exhibition OF the First Closs-Ad-
dress by the ChspIain--I.argc Influx OF
Pisbes-lncrease OF Visiters-Prescnee or
Lieut.. Gen. Scott, &c.
The exercises at the West Point Military Academy grow
more interesting the examination progresses and
characterized yesterday by the attendance OF number
distinguished visitors, among whom Lieut. Gen VIA
field Scott There was also large number Of guests from
the neighborng hotels and residents in the vicinity.
THE RIDING EXHIBITION.
In the afternoon at hal. past four about half or the
graduating class drilled In the riding ball. in the pre-
Of large namber of spectators. Tho hall is new,
and quite commodous being about hundred fee, long
by fifty wide ard is far superior any riding accom-.
modations which the academy had previous TO last
year. There two galleries erected for the accom-.
mediation OF the audiences, and though they are
hardly as commodiois as they might be, they
great convenience About half oast four the section
be drilled appeared, equipped for the exercise, aud
mounted the very fine stud Of horses provided by the
institution They first trotted round the in double
line, in single line and then at fast galop rushed
round the like whirlwind until even the solid
stone building seemed to shake 10 its foundation The
wheeling bat forming milne and other movements
performed with great accuracy, and elected much al
miration.
The next operation drin in firing and the sabre
exercise, TO the initiated novel and interesting
proceeding About feet from the wall the centre Of
the building ut either sde placed standards bearing
an osrspcious reese mbsnce 10 gaows the Of which
extended over the between the star dard and tho
wall. On this arm suspended ring, about two or
three feet above The head OF rider passing under it, In
n line with this were placed other standards with heads
made of CLOTH suppo ed represent the heads OF soldiers
waiting 20 have them cut or Further smaller
Standards with cloth caps, supposed likewise, to repre-
the ground supposed to be soiiers lying down try
ing to get out OF the reach af the sabre The exercises
consisted in riding urouy round the in sections
Of four at time After riding round each of the
Dragons would level loaded pistol ut of the stand
Ing soldiers as he rode furiousy by and fire him. then
returning the pistol to the holster, The sabre drawn
with the rapdty Of lightning, and stroke made Tor the
next man. recovering in time to poise 1e sabre, and
they shed by to carry of the ring the point All this
s done with the consumption of less time thu 1t takes
relate H. and is really a very exciipg spectacle.
The sabres went through the rings with
precision which would have been slightly dis
agreeable had they been aimed at n man g eye
and the stuffed heads of the imaginary soldiers received
tumpngs which could only have been endured by them
selves, without the exception Of the thick skulls of
our coored brethren Human nature could stand CHI
Tage, az the lrishman said, without falling After
rather lengthy continuance OF this exercise the order
was given to "dsmount," and in less time than takes
10 write the word, the whole troop terra Ermd
At the word unsadle the nimble fingers worked skill
fully for minute, and soon the troop stood by their
horses, having simple blanket in place Of a saddle. At
The cord "mount as many heads there Dragons
might have been seen bobbing in the air. aud finally to
settle quietly on the top OF finn bodies, seated the
blankets. The previous sabre exercise was then 70
peatcd, and the class proved as proacieD, without
saddle or s,irrup az with them and the scarccrow
men received another terrible pummeillpg. The
and with which the class rode, the precision
Of the marksmnnship, and perfect cooDcss displayed
throughout the whole fthe exhibition pronounced
ceedIgy creditabe and adequate result TO the vgo
ous exerton and woful song Of white pants necessary to
the operation.
Al the conclusion of the riding exercises the company
adjourned 10 the chapel to hear the address of the chap
lain to the graduating class The accession OF line band
OF music and al additional number OF ladies' increased the
interest OF the occasion. After preliminary performance
by the band Cha plain J. W. FRENCH Professor Of Ethics
proceeded 30 address the graduating cass lie said that
II with no slight emotion thai b" 'nrded the ap.
preaching moment Of their departui the institution
He met them with regret at losing then md invoked for
that great solemn futnre which Was before them
In Their fes the blessing OF God. lie would
sci them, irst, IN those things which were general to oil
professions next in things peculiar 10 their profession
and lastly would indulge in reflections induced by their
late course Of study lie would exhor them be religious
men, gathering together The religion needed for virtue
cessary Ia this ME ans The life TO come As Christians as
citizens, "a soldiers and as men, they bound to
attend divine servce-not In any particular placebut
per duty TO support this great ordinance conducive
the public welfare. They should mako rule OF their
lives uDailng attention to the Of their souls
well Of their bodies. They should not to
take IN vain the name OF HIM TO whom owe all
renee They were bound to be models in the conscien
uous regard for all moral requirements Seductons and
temptations were 10 bese them, ana the ques was,
shoad they conquer these passions be conquered by
theml Let not this class urneh single example OF icel
uousnsss, and while they also avoid the Coes YOUTH
lei, them so avoi the faults Of yearsayarce
and envy.
let them have gres, kindlug aim In Hfe always
industous avoiding the temptations Of the dle IN.
proving all those opportunities go likely TO rccur in sol
diers lie. AL these warnings applicable 10 all st
tons In lie, out he would especially advise them with
ference 10 their chosen profession. First they should iovo
their profession, rs ouy after having chosen H. and
rehnqulsh with unmany and eneminato weak
ness. Their profession had Characteristics which should
bind them 10 love and honor II. Il hal for
ia purpose the sustaining Of rgbtfor tho defence OF the
law the constitution and the nation. II the VI
drawing into action The bysca the intellectual and tho
moral powers. All Of these being called into action,
gacy, prudence, caution comprehension compre-
hcnion Of logical results should not distract their aien-
lion from details Mercy should temper disciplne and
naueht else but mental and moral discipline could guide
them In she performance Of their manifold and conpH
Gated duties The profession was enc whero the young
oilcer had an opportunity Of developing all his pow
ers, and he shonli not neglect H. Tho army Ia this
country was peculiar. It was smaii-but n nucleus
Every feature In that army had been subjected 10
the test OF the experience OF ages, and he would
enforce upon them 10 honor IL 10 the best OF their
beng called by duty obviously 10 other places Tho army
nceded men developed by long military training. They
should be Wiling 10 sacrifice for not only their Ives,
which every soldier haSsrded, but also that which in
the opinion OF some considered more impsr-
tani, their interests They should cultivate literary
tastes and relieve the mind from talks by seeking
for Information any subject which they needed hgaL
They might do much goou by disseminating this know
ledge fhcy should fulfil zealousy ana faithfully every
duty in their profession they should be unsparns I,
themselves in accomplishing any desired object No
man In an honorable calling should be tainted with the
slightest degrees Of reluctance. Against duelug and all
quafrelng, he nsecd them most earnestly. Tor the
wants Of the under their command he would
Coum 81 tneu 10 DC ever NlRant N inc hhht
formed the bcauieous object the hc would
hort them by their vuous deeds 10 record the pages
OF time the evidences Of their atinlo1 10 early education
With The ft hours Of their missions they should
merce TO form thai reputation which Il the desiieraum
Of the niiaty map-good report at head They
should, by noble striving, take places among the bene
factors OF mankind" Action was the happiness, ,be sodl
and the life Of the mind Ia terminating their OF
study he would congratulate them the stcccssfuno~s
with which they hal stool the TRIAL He hoped thew
would realize the 81 the various studies which
they had pursued. They should trace anaoeics
~ fur dam
they should remember, and bring into practice preserve
the habits Of mind which they had formed and In MI
pscts remember that their studies were not an end but
mesps, and merely preparatory For their own advan.
tagc he would advise them TO place right above expo
diency, with the hope that whatever right would
prove 10 he espedeDt This had been shown In Mexico,
where the enemy had learned 10 respect the American
army. The heroe, Of Buena Vista buryng the dead Of
their enemies, and the army advancing tue capital.
could not be tortured or tsund into committing acts VI
violence. The speaker concluded a. follows
In the in constitutional law we have IN the
coustt Of the United States perfection which only