New-York tribune., 1869-06-16
WEST POINT.
ANOTHER INTERESTING DAY.

-rTTEg-
SHERMAN ON TIKI FLoOR-PREsENtATlON OF
DIPLONAS-GEN. SHERMANs ADDRESS TO THE
GRADUATES OF loOJ.
WEsT PoINT, June 15.-Ths morning at
O'Clock President Grant and family accompanied by Cen
Underwood, took their departure for NeW-fork. Ihe
President left before the guests OF the hote-Weared
with their exercise al the hon last nghtwere out Of
bed and but few people the dock TO see him OH
when the Mary Powell came in her passengers were on
deck aud the President became at once the cynosue OF
all ewes Shaking hands with Gen. Pitcher and the Few
ladies crowded up give him goodbye he stepped
aboard and in a few minutes was on his way TO New
York.
Speaking Of the hon, which was not brought to close
until O'Clock this morning reminds that OF the
sets was made up OF Gen. Grant and Miss Steele, Of
Washington; Gen. Sherman and Mrs. Grant; Col Auden-
red aud Miss Nellie Grant; and Lieut. Hosmer aud Miss
- Of Georgetown The attempts Of the President
aud GEN sherman 10 60 through the dance with credit
were by no means successful the Cmef Magistrate seem
ing to lack energy, the General Of the Army, the
other hand. exhibiting immense amount OF motive
vlm but wanting sadly IN judgment was gt first qul'e
shocked a first lieutenant punch the President oy
way of admenitioD, and colonel use violence 10 his
superior officer in the vain effort 10 Keep MN ]"
position; but by and by seeing that neither
Of the great looked upon these gentle h's "s a
Ties suffered my astoushment and Indignation 10 sun
side and was Immediately enabled 10 ENJOY 1ne scene
with Custo Y was pleasant 10 see w"htohS HshU VI
heart tickle the senseess rushes Win ther heels' anu
t hear the music and 10 listen the rhythmic murnur
ipgs OF the breeze among the leaves outside but my IN
terest in the entertainment and al! its delightful sur
rourdiucs died away when the President, verv much
sbashed deserted the TerpschOrean field and when Cen
sherman with tho most satisfied smile on his face sought
resting place and forthwith began to banter the Com
naudcrinChief on account of his absent mindedness
This morning, a few minutes before the President
started for the ferry. Underwood called upon Gen
Sherman 90 pay ms respects ana bld MN goouoye
Taking Grant of to that drum match, are you' I'm
tierwOud 2" said Gen. sherman.
Yes General and am very sorry you cannot JON
well it isa kind of disappointment you know, because
appreciate those things but the President! bless
your SOUL he'll be bored TO death And worse than all
that he las no ear for music Why, do yOu know that
Grant couldn't tell the difference between YANKEE
Alto O'Clock the whole corps Of cadets was reviewed
by Gen. sherman, who expressed himself as Delighted
WITH their appearance and their proficiency. When the
review W. was % UTea @ t bandonarters with the gradGates
in The center facing the General Of the Army, who was
supported by Gen Pitcher aud Maj BOyntOn The names
of lbe Graduates were called, one by one each
SEEMED forward and suted he received his certificate
of fitness for position in the United States Army, the
weeared reward OF four years hard study After the
presentation Of tie diplomas Gen. Sherman addressed
The class substantially as follows.
Twenty-nine years ago he stood where they were
standing and he might well be excused II he allowed
tie recoectiOns Of that day to crowd upon his mind
almost the exclusion Of the thoughts 70 which was
ms duty 10 give expression in this the address to the
had occurred. Europe had been convulsed more than
once and great had worked changes in the c0ndi
In country had seen Jhe close
of the old indian war; had passed through war wth
Mexico and had just emerged from an lnterneelhe
srugge gigantic in its proportions, terrible IN It's bitter
ness, almost ruinOus in the losses involved, but
of Importance in the lessons taught TO citizen and
soldier In all these struggles IN which the National
honor was at stake the graduates OF West Point had
proved value Of the instruction they had received
been trained soldiers He hoped that the present class
OF graduates, just going forth 10 enter upon the active
pressed upon them here, and would always strive TO
adorn the profession they had abOred so hard to enter
Tho frraC lq mn
in few words. He must be patient He must be able to
commend himself in order to command d. others Others
aud honest. Toward his interiors IN rank
ho bear himself with the mien OF one entitled to
OF the martinet-nOt with the naughty bearing
of the petty tyrant. He must remember that human
the in the ranks the line, that the
humbest private has the feeling OF manhood easily
officer the service In short he must be all persons
and under all circumstances gentleman. He must be
offensive ostentatOn the fact that in atters per
tanning TO military science and to the art OF war
ne Is IN an respects uleiE superior Above an ne
must love his country, and be ready at her
life itself in her defense. The army officer should
never lose an opportunity TO advance himself in lmow
edge Of the improvements made in any and all depart
lnents OF his profession and while keeping his mind wen
body In a country Ike ours, almost unbounded in its
extent, and varied in its climatic characteristics, there
arc facilities for Out-ofdoor exercise which can be had
nowhere else The great lakes OF the Northwest, the
myriad rivers that wind their through the valleys Of
lines--al these 50 many fields for the develop
ment Of physical health and strength In the
praries Of the Far West the broad forests which for
many many years VIII ech0 10 the grOWI OF the wild
beast the Of the hunters rde there deer
and other wild animals without number iesllmae prey
for the ready marksman-to say nothing Of the Ardpa
hoes Cheyenne and still more troublesome tribes Of
Indians whom the Government has tried SO long 10 quiet
and civize. Walking, running, rowing, yachting hunt
ing national sports and pastmes he would encOuT
age TO the utmost; but at the same time would not
overlook, he could not undervaue the Instructions
ceyed by cadets Of the Military Academy have often
been asked by friends familiar with NenOphOn Hume,
III Of TUfiga 1fftts
aud tedious marches, and they seemed sur
prised when i answered that l was not aware
that had been influenced by any Of them told them
as tell you in all simplicity and TRUTH that when
was young Lieutenant OF artillery had often hunted
deer in the swamps OF the Edsto the Santee and had
seen with my own eyes that these could be
passed with wagons; that IN the Spring OF 1874 had rid
den horseback fOm Marietta, Ga 10 the valley Of the
Tennessee and back 10 Augusta passing over IN my
course the very field O AatOOna OF Kenesaw aud Atlanta
where it afcrWaId fell 10 my share 10 command armies
and 10 utilize the knowledge thus gained Again ln lSig
and 1850 was ~ CaIOrAa ana saw arrive across that
wide belt OF 1900 miles OF unnhabited country the cara
OF emIgTns who had reached their destination IN
health and strength ana When we used 20 start on
Journey OF thousand miles with single blanket as Gov
ering. and coil Of dried meat and sack Of parched
corn as food, with this knowledge fairly acquired in
actual experience there any need fOrme o look back
Alexander the Great, 10 Marlborough Napoleon for
lesi Would not rather have been worthy OF censure
I'D hesitaed, when duty called, 70 conduct we'll
,.gauZed army, thoroughly equipped ana abunddHtly
supplied, few hundred miles Of inhabited cOuu
Try that lay between and tine enemies Of our Govern
1nentf Great and important as are the lessons you nave
learned al West Point those must acquire la the hrst
aud viii have "a direct influence upOn your ind
vidua flames and fortunes attach much Importance 10
1he Kiud OF education gained 10y actual contact with men
~ camp on the ptket me ana ON he baIch; as also m
the administration Of affairs Ia which AN army Is enlisted
organized equipped, fed clothed, and handled IN battle
Nuu may hear OF men born generals but have yet %
the first who has not been compelled 10 his fame
10y study, toll ud experiences and should look
t0r experienced surgeon among students or lawyer
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