The New York herald., 1870-06-14
WEST POINT.
Before the Homswsrd harch-Ihe Trunk Of the
West Point Psriod-The Awarding Of the
Diplomas to Take Place on Wednesday,
The Colored Cadets Not Rejscted-Ths
Boat Race Again = The Presi-
dent to Arrive On Tuesday.

WEST PoNr, June 13, 1870
The graduates are busly engaged just now In
packing up their vauables, wearable and otherwise
preparatory to donnng the "blu for the gray" The
quarters allotted to them In the barracks as con-
sequence, look to-day very much ike the interior OF
q house in New York on the 1st OF May. Books ana
papers and shoes and caps, coats ana jackets ana
what not-au that 60 TO make up the CADETS pnysi-
cal and mental Out6t-are scattered ABOUT
In some rooms in almost inextricable CONFUSION.
The inevitable trunk, with its U. s. A." In big black
letters confronts you at every step. Hyou attempt
regardless Of regulations or the watchfulness OF the
oficef Of the day, to drop in even upon one
of the 'mmortals,n the trunk bids you defiance at
the very threshold; it looks down upon you from
the top OF the stairs leading 70 one Of the upper
rooms, and If you turn TO go away in hurry the
chances are ten to one that you will go heels over
head to the great detriment OF your precious neck,
over the confounded thing placed in doorway be-
hind YOU The fact is that this celebrated trunk Is
one Of the acknowledged
TROPHIES OF WAR
of graduating class 1t is OF the first indica-
items after examination that tell che world that the
owner is 'some pEmpkinsn in the military way.
The U s. Az on the trunk is as it were, the stamp
Of his commission and the graduate who unmind-
ful OF the good old customs Of the past, goes away
from the Academy with his trunk unglorfed
by these magical letters, has very poor idea of
what Is due to his new career in life. 1t is great
pity, however, that everybody not acquainted
with the ways and dongs OF West Point
does not understand tleir meaning. "Do
you know, old felah," said a new arri-
val from England to-day, as he and
strolled near the barracks; "do you know
kant understand that sort o. thinss 'Ere's these
'ere boys, yu know just leaving this place for
m thoirl
the way DO my letters tew New York from the
old country. Bless me soul, 1 think it's sorter a
good joke, hi do. Ere s trunk with o.
8. A. there, and you say the young mans
not 70 leave this country. why, bless me, does he
think somebody will take the thing abroad II he
don't have the letters hon in that wayr' The
Englishman's Interpretation Of the three let
ters were ''United States of America"
and he was much relieved when he heard
that they stood for the united States Army" All
the trunks and all the baggage, be they marked or
their present confusion next THURSDAY 2r Friday.
i viii indeed be moving day then for the gradu-
ates, when each one has turned over as public pro-
perty the musket he has taken such care OF Or four
long years and settled his
LAST ACCOUNTS
with the treasurer-a knowing day'' which they will
all look back to in the years that TO come with
mingled feelings q 10Y , ana rec regrenof 10y That
Q place made sacred in their eyes by such sweet
memories they had to leave behind them old frends
s0rrowed when then sorrowed.
THE GRAND HOP
proper lrim The alIaif is expected to be very fine
Invitations to the prettiest girls they knew
vr wde ne and g eas
likely that any lady, no matter how pretty she may
6e VII be deearrea from participation in the event
form as perfect as the belle OF the evening General
other persons Of note is rumored that the commit
tee Of management are already cudgelhng their
the President to open the bali With He is such an ex-
cruciatingy graceful dancer that j. is feared Il he
is not well mated ne may not do his prettiest. But
we shall see what we shall see
YET ANOTHER HOP.
Cozzens' Hotel, which has been rendered TO the
graduates by Mr.. Sylvanus Cozzens as a joyful
farewell to the class. THIS mop cp. VIII tbod doubt S
nss noei afford more ore accp%modarop and give better
eminent building can do. The graduates will all be
in attendance, as well as great many OF the ON.
ior the affair give any idea Of what the hop viii
really be It will certainly be a very grand one:
TIM mop sne whcS
enjoyed, and that OF Wednesday night promises to
outdo il in every particular. General Grant, General
Secretary OF War; General Schenck and the Board
OF Visitors VIII grace the occasion with their
are ''I freed from ON" good many Of the
usual cadet restraints their friends determined
se ans Or M ey
through all OF them as well as they went through
their Examinations they Will have no reason TO COM
plain and NO dead men to bury.
TIE DIPLOMAS
will be awarded the graduates with all the usual
ceremonies, on next Wednesday forenoon. when
Class Win probably be relieved on Friday 1t is said
that the Secretary VIII touch upon the negro cadet
question on the occasion, but this Is very unlikely,
rs the annual address to the graduates Is always
confined to themselves and l Heed scarcely say
however, take occasion to aude TO the innovation,
expect from 1t and how 1t must grin and bear what
it cannot help. Speaking Of the
COLoRED CADET QUESTION.
may add that the statement from Washington
made In certain newspapers a lew days ago TO the
erect tnat the two colored boys here had
been been s I'd one for physical aa, de-
having passed the mental examnation-is not
true. Howard the darker and the least intelligent
of the two boys, passed successfully the physical
previous letter. but Smith, the South Carolina boy,
not sa Gy Or bas e doctors
sight, and nave made their report accordingly.
That, however, does not declare hlm rejected, for
Point is aware that where a "plebes is found
suffering from some aiIment wndS wnish is Is not Or or.
On 2probaton for a year. In other words
he remains at the Academy for q whole
year, during which time every effort is made
to cure whatever physical defect he may have. II
he does not improve by the end OF the twelve months
he i5 then rejected This is Smiths case exactly,
provided of course he doesn't fall in the mental
examination. Howard, 1t was stated by the papers
have alluded to- had failed in his examination be.
fore the Academic Board. The examination OF new
cadets before the Board does not take place till the
latter end OF this month so 1t wiz be
seen that the statement about his rejection
is about as correct as that about Smith.
1t Is believed however, that Howard VIII not pass
fair play, In fact more than fair play, but he Ger.
tainly cannot pass the examination. He went to
school for the rst time IN the latter end OF Septem.
Der 1867, and II ne has mastered enough
"BOOK KNowLED8E,n
% ne calls IT, during that short time to make him 90
through the ordeal he VIII be the smartest ''plebe'
who ever appeared at West Point. know very well