The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-06-10
w E S T p DIN T.
The Examination Ordeal at an End-Young
! Grant All Right and Nobody Found WAN
ing-The Orator ofthe Day Question Puz-
zler-The President Finds Rest at Last.

WEST POINT, June o. 1871.
the examination OF the graduating class came to
an end today much TO the delight OF the graduates
1t IL pretty certain that member OF the class
been "found" on any subject, and this is all the
creditabe to the class in view Of the fact that
the examination was this year extremely severe.
From all l can learn think WI be but lutte
change in the general merit standing from that
which the class held last year-that "a, far "a tho
leading members are concerned. It "a quite likely
that few changes will be made among
THE "IMMoRTALs,"
the gentlemen who have the honor Of being
the last sections in every branch OF the studies;
bur as q whole the class Will stand pretty much as
1t mas during the year. Young Grant VIII, be-
lieve, come out somewhat ahead OF his second
class standing II the "demert" side OF the
ledger does not pull HIM down few pegs
from the place he deserves for the excellent
way he passed the examination. When 1t Is taken
INTO consideration that cadet gets 'demerit' for
the slightest mistake he may make during the drill.
or for the least inattention to rules and regulations.
which at any other institution than West Point
would be considered absurd there is much to excuse
really clever fellow for graduating near the tail
end Of his class.
THE ADDRESS TO THE GRADUATES.
The question as to who VIII award the diplomas
appears to be giving many people hereabouts great
address and did all the honors OF the occasion year
before last when the class OF 80 went on It's way
rejoicing, and last year General Beknap, the sec,
rotary OF War, did "A like favor ~ the class OF
10. General Snerman's address was one OF
the very best ever delivered on the post out
IL was u very long one. General Belknaps was .
very short one. Now as the cadets have an extra
ordinary dislike for long sermons or long adj
dresses on any occasion, when they are compelled
TO be listeners, ! think II the choice should oe
narrowed down between sherman ana Bel
KNAPP the latter would be selected as the
ssOratOr OF the day. owing 10 the record
for oratorcal brevlty he made for himself
year ago II is said by some that senator Carpen-
ter will be the man for the sion and then again
Others will have 1t that Dr. sunderland certain to
Ds @ or e exnecd few as ago ~ that the
President would award the diplomas himself. but az
he VIII be obliged. owing to previous engagements:
to leave here on Monday the expectation Will
not be realized. Could he only be on hand
for the ceremonies attendant upon the grand wind
up, and not only award the diplomas but deliver
the address, know the graduates would be the
happiest set OF fellows that ever dotted the gray
for the blue. they know that they would get some
very good advice from the General, who knows Just
what kind OF talk u West Point cadet can listen TO
with comfort and get II all In very small nutshell
1t that.
For the qualification OF the Offcial visitors light
artillery drill was held on the plains this afternoon.
selected few members OF the third class acted az
fne drill 'V was an excellent one. Indeed taink It
would have been OF great benefit 10 the artillery
mlliia,men Of the METROPOLIS II they could na nave ,
splendidly the guns were handled. Such move
ments as the charge In line, changing fronts,
forming line, advancing and movements In
column executed in a way. tnat left
nothing to be desired. The principal feature OF
the drlll was the dsmountlng and remounting
or the pieces. The dismounting was a5 complete as
could be- the guns being thrown from the carriages
and even the wheels taken or the axles. The time
occupied In rearranging the guns and wheels in
their proper places and firing one round was forty
five seconds. me guns used during the drill arc
known In the service as three inch ordnance guns.
THE PRESIDENT
continues to enjoy perfect immunity from "OOreS"
of kinds. SO far the politicians have given Nln
Il wide berth, and strange as 1t may seem, not a
solitary Office seeker has presumed as yet 10 break
In upon his retreat. Last year, whenever he at
tempted TO walk across the plains or to leave the
hotel to drive with friend In the neighborhood,
his footsteps logged by hordes OF would
be government stipendiarles. How he mas managed
this season 10 keep them away IL mystery. He
seems to enjoy his new state OF existence hugely.
lie goes about alone whenever he feels inclined To
take little stroll, and Is left TO do pretty much rs
he pleases Just as though he never knew anything
about the White House what the ''boSS' OF the
establishment can do once IN while to make
patriotic politician "larf and grow phat."