New-York tribune., 1877-06-15
THE MILITARY ACADEMY.
GRADUATING EXERCISES.

BY PROF. THOMPSON, GEN. HANCOCK SECRETARY
M'cRARY, AND GEN. sCHoFrELD-MEErISd OF
THE ASSOCIATION or GRADUATES.
TFRox A SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT or TIE TRrBUsE.l
WEST PoINT, June 14.-Severe as were the
fatigues atteelant upon last evenings ball. few OF the
faces familiar at the Point during the last few days were
missing this morning when tie first class assembled
under the trees before the chapel to receive their
diplomas. Behind table placed upon the turf were
seated Gen. schofled, Sherman and Hancock and
Prof Thompson chairman OF the Board OF Visitors The
Academic Board and the visitors ranged on either
side while directly in front the graduating class
with the rest Of the corps drawn up in hollow square
behind them. After the performance OF America" by
the post band Gen. schoed introduced Prof Thompson,
whose addresssnort, clear aud epigrammatic-was dc
lvered with admirable emphasis. IL was in substance
follows:
YOUNG GENTLEMEN: The courtesy of your admirable
superintendent forbils possible breach ia an ancient
custom amt avs npcD me ~ tie representative OF the
Board Of Visitors pleasant duty OF rendering to yoa
academic The people OF this country have
heavy sta8e III thsprospe1ty OF TINS INSTITUTION Ihey
recognize it as the very fountain OF ther security III WI"
and the origin OF the best methods Of education, asd
upon education IN colleges and common schools the pi-
lars OF our state assurediy rest Ihat courage WHEN
avoids rashne-s by the restraints of knowledge ana d
honor by the fear OF God, is the besthope OF the world
The great armies OF modern times which nave won n-
mortal victories have been composed OF young
strategy Of old commanders. / beg you TO re-
member that Cor educated men. who are true to
An educated VINO false the world bas good reason
TO dread. Every increases the conviction among
institution Ike Chaueer's knight, modest iowS aud
seryIeeaDe. You who have chosen the sword may at
yOsiT lite be helped 10y the esson conveyed
in al old legend OF English history man losing MS
way on hhistie' straycn lhto en,nDos in ts %
aglnCr With ais horse standing m0tiOnless beside hiln
On rock AZ the etlTince law sword and NORM and the
INTRUDER told that he must choose between those II
he would lead the army OF knights lie chose the morn
blown back into common Afe these words sounding after
Cursed be the coward that ever he was born ,.
Who did not draw the sword before he blew the horn
Najor-Gen. Hancock followed Prof. Thompson in an
address to the graduating Glass; welcoming thsm into
the service as commissioned officers. He said In sub
stance:
You are impatient doubtless, ss was in my time;
and IN Won nave done AS my class did before yOu yOu
have already thrown your books away and only await
the conclusion Of these ceremonies to don the b OF the
officer civilian The shell OF the cadet Is TOO con-
tracted 20 contain your impatient spirits. Nevertheless
il you win for few 10 the relation Of an
old soldier Will repeat OF the lessons OF experience
few cf those most worthy OF your consideration.
IL will be a struggle Of life to determine who among
you will keep their standing in the contest Tor future
hOnors aud distinctions. Through continuous mental
direction of yonr profession and devotion 10 duty es the
road TO military gory and may readily come 10 pass
that "tnc race viii not be TO the swift nor the battle
10 the strong" as you regard your class
today. would say TO you lead active temperate
mental quaites regard the education acquired here as
ruGmentary; pursue your studies III me lhe OF your
best accord with your melnations; rms WIN both MAKE
you greater your profession and cause You 10 be inde
pendent OF It. The latter consideration Is only prudent
in these practical days Avoid the ROCKS OF dlsspaon
OF gambling. OF debt lead manly lives and you viii had
opportunities for great service when otherwise you
would be passed by. would advise you TO 30 wnen
young TO tine plans-to the wilderness; seek active
service there; put off the days OF indulgence and case
There will be chose OF you VINO WIN seek III te d oI
youth the softer places. They may nave thelr appro
pirate there ana DO their parts we but may be
considered a safe maxim that the indulgence OF the pres
Will have 30 be paid for in the future. GentlemeI'
bid you welcome
at the conclusion OF Gen. Hancocks formal address,
Secretary McCrary rose and said that, although not
upon the programme, he desired To congratulate the
graduating upon the completion OF their course,
and to them that the country profoundly In
terested in their 1t not the pslcy OF the
Republic to maintain large standing army, but rather
in the National Academy to prepare, year after years
body OF young ready any emergency which might
arse TO m The places assigned them. He believed that
the young officers before him capable Of command-
ing not alone company Of men, but aresimeni, and
even 4 bri sade army corps. That had been the
teaching OF experience The Secretary spoke with cear-
ness aud fuency and his remarks produced very fa
vornbe impression upon those who heard them.
Gen schohed superintendent Of the Academy, intro
duesd the presentation OF the diplomas with fow words
Of cOmmendation and encouragement He SAID those
about to be graduated received their diplomas not as
favor from any one but the just reward Of their faith
ful work He then presented the much-coyeted parch
mcnts As the cOOred cadet ripper, sLeppeu IOF"ah
in his turn he was received with cordial applause, mark
OF esteem not bestowed upon any OF his fellows but
easily accounted for when remembers the courage
and sefrespect which have carried him through the
course aud brought hm-the first Of his race-to tie
dav OF graduation benedicton by the chaplain con-
cluded the commencement exercises. Immediately after
ward the new cadet officers were announced. and tie
orders of the day read. There no formal leave
taking on the part OF the graduating class but a. each
ft the mess hall after dinner the attention Of the bat
talon was called and he was cheerod.
In the early afternoon meeting OF the Association OF
Graduates vas held at which many OF the distinguished
officers visiting tae post present. twas decided to
remove the remains Of Gen. Thayer-who might almost
be called tie founder OF the Academy-rom Brantree,
Mass to the Point subsequently lunch served at
the hotel, and very social afternoon was enjoyed
few Of tie graduating class remained TO attend hop
this evening at Cozzens Hotel but many OF them, Look
ing and feeling odd enough civil Dress took the after
noon boat and trains their way TO their homes
large number OF the hotel guests mciudng several OF
the Board Of Visitors departed this afternoon Secre-
tary McCrary and Gems. sherman and Hancock VIII
leave the post tomorrow, and in day or two the sum-
mer routine Will have commenced
FoIovin are the names and relative ndings OF the
class which was graduated to-day The frat five, known
rs the honor men, have been already named IN IHE
TptnrE as the probably successful competitors for the
highest paces The order OF general merit Is determined
upon the work OF the entire course:
! william NJ Black 80 Thomas II. Barry.
. WoIter l. Fisk 40. John r. GulfOyle.
a SoIomon W ROes.ler. IL William {. Brown.
4 Thomas G. Patterson. ~ william l. Wood;
: Albert Todd AS Robert +. Stafford.
s. William 3. Gordon. - LLAIles - rdhe.
= tInu,rd A Sprnsett Is Henry I. Hammond.
: Wiliiam W Galbraith. 40 John BiSelow, jr.
q solon F. Massey. A. AIumon a. Augur.
~ Jonn ! Haden 4s. George ". Baxter
a.. rarf A f.ppli0