Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1875-06-18
West Point Military Academy.
THE GRADUATING ENERCISFS

GRADUATING
lSItcidi Correspondence Of The Eren6lg Sal
WEST POINT, June IL. ISIS.
The last exercises in connection with the
graduating class of this year took place
under the trees here this morRing. The
cadets OF all the classes were drawn up in
front of the library, the first class facing the
tables at which were seated the Secretary OF
War, Professor Gilman, late of Yale and the
College of California, and Col. Hail. Pro
lessor Gilman addressed the graduating
class. and closed with a few wor,iS addressed
10 Secretary Belknap, assuring him of the
thoroughness, the scholastic discipline and
the order which the Board of Visitors hal
found to characterize the Academy.
SECRETARY BELKNAP's ADDRESS.
secretary Belknap then made the closing
address, his commanding presence and ease
OF delivery making IL pleasure 10 his
auditors. He commenced by saying:
Gentlemen Cftbe Ggdoil,diHg tGdSSO OF lS75. Five
years have passed since L made my first
official visit To this academy.
"AcVlce Is tlre>ome To those who hopefully
wait for the command which sends them out
INTO the worlds active life; but there is a
truth for me 10 tell You. which the experience
OF coming years will confirm, and that is the
oft-told story: that when you go from this
place OF most thorough instruction. learned
in its studies and educated generously by
IT'S teachings, you will in the future recall
this scene, and wonder why to-day You
know so little. Intercourse with others, the
requirements of military life, contact with
by nature 10 grasp great truths and become
your rivals, Will try you by a thorou gh test T..
ana make You thankful that here you
formed the foundation of an education
which, II you are true 10 yourselves, will
never fail you, nor by its influence put a
blemish upon the record of your life
The faithful soldier always has the rever-
ence and regard OF the people. In times of
war he commands praise by his valor. and
wins applause by gallantry in action. There
is tie binding his cOuntrymen TO him which
can only be broken by himself. In all ages
daring deeds have secured popular approval j,
while words of welcome ana wreathS of lau-
rel await at home the soldiers return At
the close of the rebellion the avenues of the
capital were thrOnged with those who gath
cred 10 give To the armies OF the east and
west. as they passed i'm grand review, the
willing homage of grateful people. Though
days or peace have no reward like this, still
there are duties To DE done, and a career to
be carved out, which move the young SOL
dlers ambition and arouse his best endeav-
or. Apparently garrison life gives no incen-
tive To energy. The dun routine OF daily eff
fort seems to present no prize: and vet the
soldier who is faithful here finds his return
IN the know ledge that i'm the time of trouble
the nations call comes first to him, because
she finds him ready
After allusiOn to the pcTls of a soldiers
lie and their duty 90 the republic, ne said
''OVer this plain, upon which nearly a cen
tuTy ago the men OF the Revolution were en-
camped, floats the flag which you must never
surrender, which their deeds made the SYM
Dol of freedom, which in time has become
tnC EN- blem OF united and indiVisible power -
lie closed with a few kind words of parting.
The general standing of the class was then
announced, ana each man, called up i'm the
ORDER OF ms merit, received his diploma from
the Secretary of War. The exercises were
concluded with the realizing of the orders of
the day. The graduates numbered b. Viii
lard Young. who stands fourth, is son OF
Brigham Young. Y.