The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-07-22

cy the board feel great satisfaction in being able 10
bear testimony TO the successful aud harmonious opera
ton OF the varied departments OF institution which Ia
its results has impressed itself strkingy and fayossby
ON country The best test, IL Is submitted, of
the value and efficiency 1T any system will be
found ia Its absolute and comparative advantages as
illustrated by experience manifested in Its ability to
fulfil the objects OF its creation, and by the contrast ai
fodd la the operation Of like institutions Of other
tries Judged by this Standard thick that the alum
nj OF West Point have only to point to their uniform
achievements In the line Of their profession to yndicae
the wisdom which founded the Academy, aud the we'll
sustained discretion and scientific learning which have
conspred to bring about such favorable results We
satisfied that code OF military regulations and discip
line-a scientific curriculum and liberal and elevated
economy which, n their various manifestations, all tond
such successful issue, should not Ike changed OF mod
ied merely the sake of experiment The board are
therefore, prepared To give their unqualified appreciation
TO the entire system and the OF ts
1t be inferred that in thus announcing their in
ability TO discover defects exist and that improve
ments may not be made II is supposed however, that
the the other will be best discovered and most
appropriately remcded by those whose lifetime Of scen
tc Information has been devoted 10 the institution, and
whose pride and honor II is identified with its pros
pehty
Tie board satisfied that the auspices under which
the Academy bchcld present it In it's most
able aspect which is sufficiently accounted It II
remembered that the dsng and accomplished Ma
or Delued is tho superintendent sustained he Is
by corps OF assistants and instructors whose capacities
for the duties dcyolyed upon them satisfies his ee
waited standard The reputation Of than one OF
tho professors and officers ut West Point become the
property Of the country. II is deemed scarcely
sAry occupy space with enumeration Of tho various
departments made, Of instruction. and number OF
instr uctors, &c. &C. This Information IL annually given
the public by the War Department. and is accessible to
all who take interest in military system. The
board however, Impressed 10 certain extent with tho
proprety Of views heretofore given satisfied that
trolling reasons demand change, and they think
great advantage, in particular and that IL tho
elevation of tho superintendent for the time being
TO the Office of local colonel Of engineers. An in
of rank to worthy officer necessarily gives in
crease of dignity the estimation of all with whom he
Is thrown official rclationsa higher respect engender
ed and better enforcement Of authority followsa
cprocal advancement is felt by all the subordinatthe
desire of appreciation increased In proportion 10 the
elevation OF the quarter from which 1t proceeds, and
corresponding efficiency in all departments More
particularly however, Is this change deemed necessary
from the fact that the position Of superintendent ncccssa
y involves expenditure that doubtless to officer
dependent his pay, is often source Of Inconvenience
and annoyance.
West Point il situated the commercial metropolis
Of the Union the great centres Of travel and of
trades place of remarkable natural attraction, of
great historical interest," and the chief institution OF
Earning belonging to the republic, and, altogether,
combines Of intellectual pleasure hardly be-
longing to any other portion of tho country. 1t Is
the common centre of the affections of the army 1t
is should be, neutral ground for all contestants,
however nsperitcs may exist elsewhere. visit at
tho annual examination will ut once disclose the
great interest felt by all oil not duty, to whom it
is accessible and who make it point to congregate there
that period and who avail themselves of other times
of convenience to revisit it, both for the purpose Of
sulting the library and Of reviewing familiar The
house Of the superintendent should, by liberal legs
ton, be made the home, for the time, of those whom
he would be glad to The dispensing OF kind hos
pality in these reunions it is thought, would have the
happy effect of cultiyatng the kindicr feelings Of those
upon whose zeal and cordial cooperation in times Of diff
fcuty and trial SO much depends Besides this dis
tinguished Of and other countries
continually attracted hither and it would be out
lay yielding large return ii the commander Of the post
enabled by additional rank, and the consequent
emouInents, TO represent to proper extent the hos
ptality, well the military and scientific charac-
ter of our country. commander Of any European
post of any consequence il generally for the purpose
last mentioned muniticcntly supplied with by
his government. And 1t scarcely requires argument
to prove what daily experience ncucatcs and establishes
that the social amenities of life when casual 10 the
mutual participants, often productive Of lasting and
beneficial results to those concerned. 10 country
wealthy as the small expenditure involved would
scarcely be estimated and would, f Ear less of good
likely to result, be amply justified Inc beralty of
the military profession is povcrbia the world overha
of country certainly forms exception and hence
than is ordinarily required in the line OF hospitality
| !, tho practice. Upon in high station the propre
ties Of this duty continually press aud be snored
superintendent Of West Point is selected account Of
acknowledged ability and peculiar fitness he belongs by
law to the first branch Of the service His position IL
inc REWARD Oh merit. but IL necessarily entails hoie
than ordinary outlay consequently, If Of small private
means, he is rewarded by position the hand and
punished by the obligations il imposes the other.
This ought not to be remedy to just extent IL be-
leved will be found in the change suggested
/ All of which is respectfully submitted.
JNO w DAVIS, of Indiana,
/ President Of the Board.
FRANKLIN J, DICKMAN, Of Rhode Island,
/ Secretary Of the Board.
ANDREW G. GRAY, Of Delaware,
JNO. S. WELLS, of New Hampshire,
| GEORGE W. ROWilES, of Tennessee,
! w. A. OWENS, of South Carolina,
II. T., GO0DELL of Illinois,
/ JAMES L. GLEN, of Michigan,
| p. H. AYLEiT, of Virginia,
| j. LANCASTER BRENT, of California,
| JAMES w. WALL, Of New Jersey
| THOMAS G. McCREElRY, Of Kentucky.
HON JEFFERSON DAVIS ON THE UNION