The New York herald., 1870-06-08
WEST POINT.
The Law and Ethics Examination-Wha II
Amounts To-The chaplain's Question and
How the Battle has Ended-An Innova-
tion that Doesn't Take well-Ths Boa.
Race-The President TO be Present.

L
WEST PoINr, June s, 1870.
| The examination OF the grad ua,lng class in law
and ethics was completed today and it must be
confessed the cadets most concerned are very glad
o! IT, and for various reasons which need not now
| be referred 10 IN detail
THAT CHURCH QUESTION.
Taking about ethics suggests another subject
which may not be out OF place in this connection.
twill be remembered that about this time last year
the little cadet chapel at the mercy OF certain
| individuals whom the cadets facetiously STYLED
"nneen dollar minister's" gentlemen OF the cloth,
who gave the cadets the beneat OF a sermon every
sunday for about that price. The occasion which
gave rise 10 the trade IN the gospel, which
was, OF course, quite proper under the circum.
stances, was the illness OF the regular chaplain,
who Ibeeve, was despairlng of ever completely re.
covering his health. General Grant then took the
question In hand and appointed to the vacant chap
| lalncy man after his own heart regular camp
meeting, soul stirring, long praying Methodist
minister. There went up howl at this from
almost every household in the post; for everybody
swore thar he or she was an Eplscopaan, ana
could only be eaved from an eternal residence I'm a
very suphurous neighborh0od through the blessed
tnstrumentality OF the Episcopal Church. This
'amentable fact was announced in the HERALD at
he time, and the sympathlzers OF the doomed ones
were many. Grant, however, who won his
battles with the rebels through STUBBORN ness
was not the man to give In to a few individuals who
believed the ministrations OF q pious Meth odist
would consign them to a place where the weary are
not at rest and so he acted accordingly. His choice
had been made, and the antMethodist folks had to
swallow
THE RELIGIOUS PILL,
no matter what wry faces they'd have to make
over it. The cadets meanwhile went TO church
every Sunday with their accustomed regularity car
Ing very little who won the day Grant or his oppo-
nents. Indeed, 1t is the COMMON belief Of those who
ought to know that their thoughts became Of sud.
den 80 fixed on heavenly Things every Sa bbath
that they had no mind to mix up in terrestrial
quarrel In which worldly ideas had certain amount
ofinnuence. Their ardent piety, Notwithstanding, had
TO be fed and thus came the opportunity OF the ar.
teen dollar' minister's The latter, no doubt relish
ed this state OF affairs, but OF course without In the
least harboring selfish thought in their breasts,
for they easily convinced themselves that they were
only working for the Ward OF another world, and
that when they got their ten or fifteen dollars-we
that that was for the other world also. Thus affairs
stood up to a very short time ago. The battle had
been long one and Grant mad stood firm and
had it not been for two things which did not unfor
tnnatey cast their shadows before time to give The
Methodist a chance to get under cover before
TIE NINE EXPLODED.
One Of these things was the want OF backbone on
the part OF the Methodist minister when the fight
came to close quarters. The Episcopaians gave nm
TO understand that 1. he came here they would nor
90 TO church and he'd have to preach to empty
benches. The unfortunate man was not aware that
the cadets dld not care continental who preached
IN the church as long as he preached short sermons
ana & that tney woalo, by regulation, have to go to
church anyhow, and so the thought OF the ''enpty
benches put his West Point aspiration to night ana
he ANONYMOUSLY threw up the spiritual SPONGE At
first 1t was believed that Grant would bring up his
reserve force Of ministers and instead of the weak
Kneed brother who did not dare TO face the Epsco.
Pa s or , rahe the benches he had been
go,ahiSead, ggeaiS, dont,care-a:snap sort OF man. who
woud hs os wiling .nS to to
sake, regardless or empty benches or the Eplscopa
| iians Meanwhile the latter had not been idle, at
chaplain had regained his health, and would cling
piece was put on the Episcopal nagpoe at
tns 1ne e%ssn news, and aas the flag of ony
peak. There was gadness in the camp where sor.
row and fear Of eternal misery had SO long reigned
lamentation and anguish. And thus ended the
great struggle, which at one time threatened de-
o 20 sne Te9 9r the every
Now Tor another phase OF this Church question.
| winch LOOKS peculiar. During the struggle
1t was conceded upon all sides 10y those not inter-
ested that Grant had perfect right to appoint what
minister he pleased to the chaplaincy.
THE BOAT RACE
between the first three classes will come or next
"
be six Dared sculls and the will be two miles,
from the OLD dock opposite Garrison's to point
near Cozzens' iIotel and back The crews Of
contest. and every thing is being done to make
u one OF great interest. There was time when the
idea OF allowing the cadets have boat race was
thought to be one Of those things which would
certainly drive the institution to Inevitable smash
srnv ouS 'ns , Gn OF the
service contains any brains-are not now IN
power. A spirit OF liberaity rules supreme.
n ii nf knnt.t S11,
within bounds that a Sing Sing convict would not
have envled, and am happy 10 say that the result
cadets minds of their studies-the old Castle hat
chargemne boat racing privilege has quite the con.
every morning to practice. This time occnrs d,,TnS
their relief from study hours and so how much
benefit they VIII derive by passing 1t in an exercise
which while 1t strengthens the body, at the same
time gives the mind more chance to act freely when
study time does come, Is one OF those questions
which sensible people never ATTEMPT to
answer The race this year as / said
before, viii be one OF great interest. The
those Of last year. and at least two of the boats to he
used on the occasion are great deal more seryicea
PIE tnan noSe which took part In the contest OF 1869
great dea OF leellng Is manifested over the race
by the ladies at the hotels, ana dare say on SATIN
day next edch one will take good care to
General Grant is almost certain TO be present at the
race with several members OF his Cabinet When he
does does arrive he should bear in mind that he came
near spollng the fun last year by gong out in %
the river IN the ferryboat, which made such a
Wash tlat the graduates sent him gentle reanest
to keep the wheels quiet or they would leava the
course 1t is to be hoped that he will mind his p's
anu qs this year. for the crews are frghtfuy par,
ucular about Their course, and the man who inter.
1eres with the sport next Saturday be he Presdent
or not, Will get particular dts, certain.
THE ExAMINArioN.
The fonowing are the subjects, in law ana ethics
upon which each cadet was examined
FIRST SECTION.
!. Holden In hospital, exam!ned)
2. Greene-Courts Martial ana Their Jurisdcton
3. Bnrrowes-Miltary and Martial Law.
4. Wood-Members of Courts Martial Their Res,o,.p
and the Parties TO the Trial. - ~'p""sio'dy
Chapn-Composiuon and Constitution of Courts Martial
8. Paiirey y-Decinration OF War: Its EGects - ""''
Z. Rockwell Challenger and Oaths.
s. Chaplin Hesrsay Evidence.
g. Quinan-Sovereignty OF States.
TO- IyesCoDstiutioh OF Congress of United States and
Theory Of Division OF Legislation Into Two Houses anu
| II. Cobb-Pachc Intercourse of Belgerents
H. acknowledgements of Witness Reason OF
IL. Weir Boards for Retiring Oacers = '''''
| IA. Bonus Redression Of Wroags.
10. Schuyer-Duties and Responsibilities of judge
sfCoNp eEcTIoN.
Brikhmer- Charges and Specifications.
kinRsbury- Punishment for Oncers and Enlisted Mem
Brodiekemarks Forty fifth Eighythrd Articles of
War. s' "
Homer Peas in Bar Of Judgment