The New York herald., 1869-06-16
WEST POINT.

AwardIng of the Diplomas 10 the esraduntes-
General Sherman's Address-Piain Talk
About Soldiers and Generals-What He
Thinks of Yachting and Hunting In tho
Army-The Graduates TO be Relieved from
Duty on Thursday.
WEST POINT, June Is, 1862
The ceremony Of awarding the diplomas to the
graduates took place this forenoon, and was cer-
tainy scene Of more than ordinary impressiveness
II the ladies' who stopping at the hotels had been
consulted about the matter dare say they would not
have consented to have had the ceremony performed
as It was the very morning after the hop. But
as the authorities that be didn't see lit TO
consult them about the matter the diplomas were
awarded, despite the fact that many fair one who
had danced herself half to death the night previous
was not yet out of bed and that Others, when the
drums beat here hardly able to open their eyes and
their windows at the same time in order to see,
without being seen, the gray coats on the plains.
Fortunately however. the ladies in the hotels who
go to hops and who sleep all day afterwards, or
come down to table late in the day looking all for
lorn with eyes half closed, to nod cup Of tea
and commiserate with each other over "that awful
headache, are not the only ones who turn out to do
the cadets honor every year, for be 1t known there
are actually good many people hereabouts who
eschew late hours and love the rise in the
morning; and they 1t was who reinforced by crowds
from the villages in the vicinity formed the greater
portion of the spectators who present. although
II must be said that certain papas and mammas of
cadets early the ground In the usual state OF
delightful excitement and expectation.
AWARDING OF THE DIPLOMAS.
The day was ushered in by mists and clouds that
overhung Old Cro' Nest like fall, but by halfpast
ten O'Clock, when the cadet corps marched out for
review, there was silent stealing away OF shadows
across the mountain tops, and the golden sunlight
streamed down upon the plain in all its glowing
cheerfulness. The review in itself was nothing
more than an every day affair, the only thing that
made 1t more than usually attractive being the
presence OF General Sherman, who reviewed the
corps in line. This over the graduating class
marched out Of the ranks and. forming in body in
front Of the battalion, stacked arms while the two
wings Of the corps were wheeled slightly to
the right and left forward, so as to form
three sides Of square, the graduates being in the
centre, facing the spectators. While all this was
gong on the ladies' with their usual consideration
for themselves, spread themselves out on rows OF
camp stools that had been placed for general use on
the grass just behind where General Sherman was
seated and managed during the whole ceremony to
keep up bee-buZzing sort OF talk that was very
pleasant to those who were foolish enough TO want
TO hear the address.
THE GRADUATES.
General Pitcher after the formation of the square
read aloud the names OF the members OF the class
who were entitled TO graduation honors, and as each
one came forward the precious diploma was handed
10 him by General Sherman. The following are the
names OF those who were thus honored:-
Leonard G. Hun, NY. Franklin Yeaton, y. B.
e,s Erie BeTGangdi Igi. ~: ,, William / Reese ~.
VIM c; Fitzsmmons, Mich. Henry 2. Perrne, n. J.
HfB5r Hs3 Ha Hard; Mass Sfss @s FoE2P sII one
William ;DuFali, Nd Charles H: Rockwell, Ohio.
Daniel NJ Taylor, p. c. Wells W. Legget,, Ohio
Worth osgoOd, Ohio Jenifer II. smalwood, Fla.
David A. Lyle Ohio. William Rawson, III.
Jobn obn a. Gp3Wa "a EsWgyrd EEfRy " " WsP5o sTav ind
ReIn'brance H. Lindsey Pa Martin b. !" Hnshes, Pa.
lanes Tl Y r f rorter Ne VIM w Robinson JF, Ohio
Frank E. Nye Ne, Mason NJ. Maxon, Wis.
TIE ADDRESS TO THE GRADUATES
81, When the diplomas had all been awarded General
MY YOUNG FRIESDs-I am here this day at the
invitation OF your Superintendent and in pursuance
of an honored custom, TO add by my official pres
ence to the interest OF occasion that has brought
together so many OF your friends Your academic
term OF life is over the day for which you have
waited so long come at last, and you about TO
sally forth INTO the wide, wide world TO a large |
extent masters Of your own actions. TO bear us
burdens and 10 enjoy Its fruits. The diplomas this
day conferred on YOU, and which you have fairly |
earned, the Official testimony prescribed by law,
recorded on parchment and verified by the sigma !
lures of your professors, certifying that you are
quaned to be commissioned as officers in the army
have passed since stood where you do now yet the |
feelings and emotions OF that epoch Of life come
back with these familiar scenes so clear and distinct
that feel strongly inclined 70 cut short the few |
words | had prepared foT the occasion and to Did |
you ny to the loved at home that await your |
coming. Even now shall not delay you long nor |
say one word calculated % moderate the natural |
feelings OF relief that the restraints hitherto Imposed
are relaxed that your books are cast aside for |
time and that you are substantially free. | hope |
that each and every one OF you VIII enjoy TO It's
fullest extent The furlougr OF three months that
"a 4H.IA "A
reg you to pause moment and consider the
friendly offerings OF those vino have already trodden
enter that when you reach the rsr posts OF duty
you may he prepared TO lay foundation for |
he OF Usefulness and honor for yourselves and 70
, ay back TO your government In services for the
r At advantages you have received here Your pro-
ess rs now certify that you are proficient IN all the
studIe. deemed necessary TO military education, ana
yonr am, erintendent will tell your general stand
ING. which determines your first rank in the army.
4 have mot he least doub: that eacn and every one
of Won can 20, We all the problems OF the triangle
that YOU can M asure the solid contents Of cubes
and ecpss Sl Of ag e sa
next August; but there - great problem Ia which
you aud and all the wori. mas deep interest and
temnt 10 unipId' me>T the great pro.
bem of life, when no KID teacher VIII
Se at yUHT sGDw ne 70 ana
tltes exceed In number the letters or the Greek al
pnabeS What Is to be your late In the Unknown
futuref What sort OF oiflcers WILL you maker For
tphatey or unfortunately, the case may be, you
are not compelled like many poor fellow to grope
In the dark Tor q new profession, or the means
OF livelihood. Your government has al
ready provided for you In aQYAAes an
and regulations plain and easy that ali may under
stand 1t has taken you In youth, with the fuli con-
sent Of your parents, and has given an education
and training at pubic cost, that you may serve 1t
and dedicate youf TIE and 6es labofs in manhood
TO IT, with the promise Of an honorable maintenance
to confirm and ratify the act OF your parents
to dedicate yourself anew to the service Of
your country and, 10 q certain extent TO surrender
large proportion OF that natural liberty OF action
which all Americans prize so highly. stll, you are
get untrammelled, each for himself to choose his
course OF action and TO shape your own destiny.
The limits within which you are Tree TO act
may seem narrow TO au ambitious youth, yet
as you advance you Will 1pd room and
verge enough for the display Or a reasonable
amount OF energy and talents. Should any OF
you, however. think differently, now y the time
TO choose from among the various caigs open to