The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-06-03
WEST POINT.
THE DAY BEFORE THE EXAMINATION
Arrival Of the Secretary Of Wharf.-The "Plebesn
and Their Fortunes oiColored Chickens
Matching Delights Of Idleness-
Something Of the scenery-A
Fashionable Loafng Place.
WEST POINT, June Q, 1873.

WEST POINT, June 2, 1878.
The officers cadets and .plebesn were all agoa
to-day In expectation OF the arrival Of the Secre
tary OF War; and in due time that tremendous
functionary arrived and was duly honored by
gun and bayonet. Colonel Barnard and General E.
W. Price and Mr.. r. H. Beknap accompanied the
terror-inspirng Minister, and the gentlemen com.
posing the Board Of Examiners, who were hitherto
absent, also appeared and answered the "hsw dye
don roll call the first corners. Ofcourse there was
considerable commoton at the Point and the hotel
at the post was filed to overlooking. A number OF
young gentlemen in blue coats and brass buttons,
representing sundry military schools, audaciously
rubbed elbows with the gentlemen OF the Academy
and seemed to desire to look able and willing to
let Modocs and other savages have their own way
the tightest laced warriors OF the Academy. But
it was
A DAY OF "PLEBEs''
and without interest to the hardy veterans who
have been roughing II here for the past few years.
Tomorrow We will be informe whom OF the said
'plebes" have been accepted by the examiners for
the ensuing four years OF hard service at the Point
1t Is understood that the chickens were selected
this evening, but some high stepping military hen
having expressed doubts as to their Matching, de.
sired night to sit on them. There are two col
0red chicks in the BROOD and it Is ast possible
they will make more noise than all the rest, the
ment. II the hen, IN her disquiet, kills the colored
chicks during the night, there may be trouble
in some reconstructed States. But that Is the
hens business and sufficient for the day Is the evil
thereof But the semi-oiicial public-the people
who have relatives at the Academy-wlll drop the
''plebes' from their memory tomorrow and fix
their attention on the cadets These gentlemen
are in the thr0es OF expectancy.
THE AWFUL DIGNITARlES OF THE ACADEMY,
in frizzed hair bluetaile brass buttoned coatg
standing collars and high hats, win commence at
an early hour to harrow their souls with points
and distress them with questions; ana the awfully
wise men from the West, headed by John Sherman,
and the Congressional personages from the other
points of the compass, will insult the intelligence
OF the fulbl00ded boys with absurd questions. Az,
for instance, 'How much would $4,000 year be II
doubled, half paid back by letter, then grabbed
again and nothing said about ity' And perhaps
some distinguished person may throw the entire
class into spasms by inquirng what should be
done II O fellow commanded post a heap OF hay,
friendly contractor and several bands Of bad
lndiansl But the examination Will commence to-
morrow. In the meantime the sojourners at the
C0zzens' West Point HOtel-said COzzens being
anephew, by the way, OF Cozzens OF Cozzens-find
pleasure in watching
THE MANUvREs OF THE CADETS.
For one who has been a soldier 1t Is sweet
boon to look on from under q straw hat while
stretched at full length on the grass. How sweetiy
the soft music steals through the embracing arms
OF the bending trees on the bluff and reechoes
from the high clins Softly fall the feet Of the nice
cadets; slvered the tones OF the gorgeOusly ar
rayed officers; sweet the laugh OF beauty at the
noddlng plume OF the drum MAJORS high hat. Wis.,
ions OF the march, avauntl Every one OF these
lads thirsts for the opportunity to play at soldier
on the real field, and surely none would iater, no
matter the obstacle, in the path OF duty. But sup
pose they are taught to march but one way, and
must SO march to defeat, avoiding victory; what
them Thank Heavenl we have tradition in the
army, ana the Army Regulations, and the same
kind OF uniform Tor Canada and New Orleans No
small lessons OF experience must interfere with
the even tenor OF the regular army way. But these
are matters for the consideration OF the high pow
ers here assembled. Tonight there is not for the
ordinary dweller at the Point anything but
THE GLORIOUS ENJOYMENT
which comes from the knowledge OF total irrespona
sbility. Nobody wants to dress his or her (espe-
cially herr nelghbor into envIous fdgets; nobody
showed about by anybody everybody delights to
soft winds whispering low to the placid river and
watch the sun extend his glowing arms over the
peaceful scene in benediction Somehow there 10
no shoddy here; no gambling houses no haunting
0ver-dressed females no small politicians, no rude
ness or exhibitions or bad taste. 1t is country,
Consul General was here to-day and. standing on
the noble balcony OF CoZzens', overlooking the
winding river, darkened by shadows from the
mountain trees, declared
THE SCENERY FINER THAN THE RHINE.
That is matter OF taste but certainly the society
here Is less mixed, and consequently less objec-
tionable than on the quarrel-prOvOking stream OF
the Vaterland, to which the cockneys 81 the world
resort
on the 18th, and rush of visitors is expected. 1t
will be lively in the meantime however. On We'd
nesday the Mendelsshon Glee Club OF New York viii
about and win entertain select few or their
friends at C0zzens' In the evening with singing.
The occasion Is looked forward TO with delight. To-
morrow, after Tor be!ore) the opening OF the ex-
animation OF the graduating class OF cadets the
secretary OF War will review the embryo warriors.
Superheated citizens to be cooled and refreshed