Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1870-08-25

the miHu lEoIH Stuuy. ana SO upon tuIe
class of men, starting almost without
J other than military education, to a linn.
: tied degree, and growing in years and
/, rank in q pursuit adverse to scholarly in.
vestigation, until the highest grades being
reached, the vast responsibility is finally
committed, of performing the difficult and
numerous duties connected with the mill.
tary department of the republic, where
oftentimes the greatest learning and
: broadcast craftsmanship are demanded in
addition to attainment in military science
and art.
: But far more serious defect of this
} academy is the plan adopted for the selec.
ton of cadets, the appointment system,
which Is exclusive, aristocratic and I'M ust
Indeed, prominent object of this insti.
tuition seems to have been to afford mem
bers of Congress a cheap method of pay.
ing off politicians for their support by
giving their sons an appointment thereto
: According to late developments appoint
ments have been prostituted to the infamy
of barter and sale by men elected to the
: highest Legislative assemblage of the world
God preserve us from another step lower
in national degradation Under this ap.
pointment system, West Point has been
/. the nursery of aristocracy. It's doors
} have been almost eGectually barred except
TO the favored few. Its object being to
Il educate men for the military service OF
the republic, and it being a government
institution supported from the public
treasury, both interest and Justice demand
t"that access to it should be free to the best
youthful talent of the land. Put the
standard up where it will secure such an
education as the great duties liable to de-
volve upon its graduates may demand,
and then open it's doors to every boy OF
the republic, and let the competitive ex.
animation determine who shall enter.
Admission should depend upon merit, not
upon POLITICAL favoritism or social infiu-
ence. This would be democratic. 1t
would be just. 1t would be in accord
ance with the spirit and theory of our in
situations. 1t would secure the greatest
learning and ability in this important
branch of the public service. Little dan
ger of the graduates of such an institu-
ton becoming leaders of treason.
But the fleeing moments remind me
J that [ must bring these remarks to a close
In what have said have assumed what
has ever been claimed, that our govern.
ment is the wisest devise of the human
: mind, and that the most important consid'
GRAFTON now is and ever will be. how tc
= secure its perpetuity. To this end have
} suggested, first, the necessity of being true
, to the principles upon which the republic
was founded. Second, the manner in
which the power may be supplied essential
J to the maintenance of the national dignity
: and integrity, without peril to the liber
ties which the government was established
to secure.
Ii time allowed further suggestions,
would point to the example of those who
: have made the 10Th of August memora
bic in the annals of the nation. They
. have transmitted no more sacred or per
? manent heritage than the example of theil
= patriotic service and illustrious deeds.
If we contemplate the extent and mag
? niicence of this empire now betting tho
continent, rivalng the first nations of the
earth, the asylum Of the oppressed of ev
l cry land, its vast population all freemen
enjoying the largest liberty consisten
with stability and protection, we turn t
. the noble dead and say this is the produc
= Of your planting. If we raise our eye
! to yonder starry flag whose shadows fal
} on neither foe nor slave throughout al
this mighty land, ever borne in triumph
over the nations foes, bloodstained il
many q righteous cause, but never sullieC
with shame, houored in every land, shield
S ing all who seek the protection of it's am
pie folds, the noble inspirator of patriot
, ism, the glorious ensign of liberty, we
q recall that it was the rugged patriots
whom we to-day hold in proud and affec
Tomato remembrance, who first followed
that flag to victory over the hirelings *
, the despOt; that on this field it received
one of the first baptisms of blood thai
tinged its silken folds with fame; thai
. when here planted n" +h1 rar,,nsrts of tbs
rIrsStau, the sun OF liberty emerged
} from the mists which obscured it
} first rising; and that from this emer
! gence it has steadily mounted to the full
> meridian splendor which the millions o
this great Republic now enjoy.
: But words are futile to honor tn,
= dead, for in their service they gained i'm
1 mortal honor. We can only honor our
selves by emulating their bright example
Il and by dedicating ourselves to the caus,
: and the country, for the establishment o
f which they offered their priceless lives.
Let us draw their nantes DER
- Whi have fallen in our way;
p Let us do the work before ms,
CHEEKY, bravey, while we may,
Ere the long night-~iience cOmeth, and
D with us It is not day.
The Grafton Of Col. Veazey was well re
= cejve8, the delivery of it was frequentl.
interrupted by hearty applause, and tn
attention If the audience was closely hel,
= from the commencement until the close
y The President of Day, Gov. Hall, the1
= introduced Rev. VIM. Isaacs Loomis o
Peter,burgh, n. Y, who both entertaine
t and amused the audience by character
4 i4tio and humorous speech. We regre
= that we have not room to give full re
. port Of it.
At the close Of the exercises, the vas
. concourae Of persons present separated 70
e the purpose Of obtaining refreshments a
q the different stands provided in the grow
for that purpose, the proceeds being TO
e the benefit of the Wales Cornet Band.
Then came dancing on platform erect
i. ed under the trees. the music being ful
+ nished by the Wales Cornet Band, whic
+ was kept up to late hour, to the grea
, enjoyment of all.
g MAINE SENAToRsHIP.-The oontes
Il for the senatorship is waxing warm. Th
~ Cumberland county convention, on WED
= nesday, passed a resolution, declarin
d Gov Chamberlain it's choice, while til
y Somerset county convention, the next da.
q unanimously and enthusiastically adopte