New-York tribune., 1873-06-14


TARY OF WAR AND GEN. MISUNDERSTANDING
OF TIE GRADUATES.
WEST POINT, June 13.-The late hours of
last ght did prevent the cadets from appearing
eapy this morning. Many OF them confess 20 remaining
up all night From the stories brulted about secret
merry making and private the order OF
the night. No wonder guard was on duty till
morning. for the last night OF the is supposed 70
bring license for all sorts Of sub enjoyment II
gay farewell TO the old halls which they nave occupied
during four years OF hard work.
AT II O'Clock the final ceremonies OF graduation took
place upon the Green in front OF the Library In the
OF a circle OF spectators soberly dressed civilians
and professors officers In full uniform and large
Der OF ladies' Sat Gen. Grant At his left hand were
Gen Sherman and Mr. Belknap at his right Gen. Ruger
and Col Hall. When all ready the graduating class
without arms, escorted TO position by the rest
Of the battalion all in full uniform. They formed three
sides OF hollow square, with the graduates in single
line in the rear facing the President. After the per-
foTmance OF q national air by the band, Gen. RuRer
the cadets that the Secretary OF War had
sened 10 address them, truly military way OF intro
ducing superior officer. Mr. Belknap spoke as fol-
lows
SECRETARY BELKEAP's ADDRESS
GENTLEMEN GRADUATES OF 1873; Months come and 20
rapidly, the hand on the dial moves seemingy so
faster roll along, the line between
youth and manhood is 80 slight and suddenly and
crossed,
another year has been added TO the OF ths Acad
emY; and but for these surroundings could hardly
believe that again the student has become tue graduate
hardly know how, IN what language, to tell you OF the
high honor OF your calling, and OF the burdens you Will
have 10 bear and yet you must pardon few words OF
the planest truth. 1t s perhaps thankless task TO
tell you that the amount of real knowledge you possess
is nothing compared with what you will gain by con-
tact with the world, and in the performance OF reg
mental duty And yet the experience OF years viii con-
vince Sqn ana Ie a o o o T Sp sre as n
very many volumes. The education here freely gwen
you the foundation for the future and only
part OF your path o progress In miltary me- Inc
active service OF campaigns, the new scenes among
which you will be thrown. the actual quiet and APP
parent Incidence. times OF garrison lfe will all have
their benefits, and the lessons they bring, II rightly
studied, will strengthen your manhood and fasen your
faith In the direction OF night ana duty And though
seem that the mere OF day Work mas no
reconpense save IN the soldiers own OF
right, s II Is grateful 10 know tbat the JUDGMENT OF
the people will commend the earnest man wherever he
be found. IL Is solemn thought that man whose toll
OF many years has been passed IN the service whose
youth, whose manhood, and whose Inaturer age have
been given with devotion 10 his counry-who has
with life unharmed IN the havoc or battle gone through
fight and siege and long days or danger-snOuld die bY
the hand OF Indian murderer yet his character was
such that every house mentions his name as noble HIS
life gives you patterns 90 follow and models 10 lm
tate. Loyal and firmly true In peace or
war, generations VIII come ana 20 ere lhe halOh VIII
forget the beautiful and beloved memory OF Candy.
The profession which you enter has noble aims, high
purposes, and every incentive TO ambition; Tue great
which tied more closely than ever tee bonds OF
union gave to army men many avenues Of rank and
promotion aud fame that the calm and quiet Of the pres
ent may 10 tho young soldier TO offer no page Of
A land like ths-gTowing to It's 100000 in cen
tury fastening ocean 10 ocean by triple bands OF lron
borders TO the north and to the south, as in the
nature Of lts destiny Il must-may offer OppOr-
may hope. admit that my heart thrilled with pleasure
when read few days since, the order issued by the
distinguished commander OF the Department OF Arizona
mentioning the conduct Of the officers and men OF his
command. Memory went back 10 the Summers when l
for that order history for conspicuous services
and gaantry In action. the names OF Bonus aud Park
and Watts. All nations throughout time have honored
their soldiers, and these men have thus early
Within short time the War Department has been
placed IN possession OF vast amount OF documents OF
ton and other prominent military men Among them is
letter from Arnold, written "a days before he con-
signed inIamy, and while the promptngs Of
his heart were still loyal 70 the cause OF the Colonies
Writing from West Point 10 Col Pickering Quartermas-
terGenera at Philadelphia, he states that there II not
tent or any kind OF camp equlpage at TINS poverty
parlment Is entirely empty" and that " there
Is only one camp-kettle to 80 or 100
men, lie complains bitterly OF the situation, and
begs Col Pickering 20 apply remedy, adding as post
script his letter: There not quire Of paper or
one article OF stationery this post in the Depart
ment" Col. Pickering replies II unhappy TO In
you that have not yet received one tarthlng OF
money, for any purpose whatever. nor can get any,
there being Treasury aud the articles can
not be supplied" " You shall hear from me again as
soon as get TO Headquarters, which shall be when
can obaia money enough to deray tue expenses OF
Journey" How much this tells OF the privations and
Trials OF the OF early days, and how It illustrates
the poverty through which the nation worked It's way ~
l. nv pleasant and becoming duty 20 allude 10 the
impression made on all by the manly conduct
of the members OF this corps, the oc-
casion OF visit at the Presidents inauguration
By your gentlemanly and sodery bearing you honored
that laure leader, himself OF West Point;
You turned rebuke into praise, made friends OF foes
,d hrourht 10 your comhlanders 10 your professors
and to the Academy regard and friendly Influence OF
thousands of the people.
Each year am more and more impressed with the
wisdom which governed the founders OF this Institution
when they laid its cornerstone upon this spot Its name
brings back the teachings OF our clndhoods history,
when we read Of the Revolution. The associations when
connect this ground with the words and deeds OF the
early men Of the Republic make Its precincts sacred
mountains sol as the hearts Of those men, who
in the beginning the nation encamped under their
shadows now as then, stand Ike sturdy sentnels on
guard and the waves OF this beautiful hudson as they
wash the shore in each sound to have some story
10 tell of the patriotic past These influences mold the
minds OF and strengthen their love OF country From
the attractive groves or this Academy you 20 10 Other
scenes The hour has come. Friends wait 10 welcome
yo The hearts OF those who love y0u whose tenderes
affections are wrapped up ~ your wen Iea' % uolo
quickly than ever. Be true to the teaching gwen
YOU here, Cling 70 the flag you would TO life itself
Whenever you look upon II remember taat waved tne
dropped IN disaster pts coloTs were al"Ays oIgner
greeting and Joins with myself IN wishing t9r you tue
true soldiers honor here and ms geat reward Atretei
THE CLASS ROLL
At the conclusion Of the seereays address, and after
more patriotic music Gen. Ruger announced the general
standing Of the class. Then his name was called,
each graduate stepped forward and received from the
hands Of President Grant the ploma which part OF
the reward for his hours OF study The President made
no remarks; merely giving the diplomas with glance
and bow The following the order OF merit OF the
class OF 1873:
1 william II. BiIby. a. Frederick A. Smith
q Henry =. Taber & George a cornish.
g. William I. R0ssell "a Edwin 4. howard.
A. Thomas N Bailey, 70. CALVIN T. NONles'
g. John A. Lundeen. 70. George o. EatOn'
G. Charles A. l.. rotten. "a. Daniel Cornman.