The Leavenworth weekly times., 1879-06-19
WEST POINT.
Full Report of the Addresses of
President Porter, Secretary Me-
Cr,rv General ssherma an and Gener-
Dane

President Noah Porter, being introduced
,y General Schofeld, said in brief:
"The story is told that 100 years ago
when the city Of New Haven was invaded
by the British, my predecessor in office lat
\ ale) armed himself with a musket, and
popcealing himself behind bu-b. fred a.
rapidly as he could into the enemy's flank
as they marched into town. On being
overtaken by the British, and accosted
with-'Whst are you doing here, you in
sane old fellow he replied: Il am eIer-
cising the rights OF war; now find my
self, in my exercise Of the rights Of war, in
a. trying, and perhaps as insane a position
a. nv predecessor. On behalf Of the Board
Of Visitors, without anticipating what will
be given in the report in detail, may say
at, though composed of representatives
from different parts OF the country, their
impressions and conclusions have been sim
gularly harmonious on every point as to
the importance ard thoroughness OF the
training at West Point, and the general
efficiency Of the administration of its affairs.
We are ready TO give our appreciation TO
almost all that happens here. We believe
that the vigor and prosperity OF this insti-
tuition are vitally connected, not only with
the prosperity of this country, but with lis
existence. A civilized country in these
days must cultivate military science.
knowledge OF the arts and appliances Of
war must be handed down from one genera
tion TO another, and the inspiration pass
from heart TO heat. We
need military science that We
may be respected by our neighbor5 abroad,
l. L. II II 1o.-, a. iii,
tion had ceased 10 exist, in a half year,
time would adjust themselves accordingly.
We need military science, also, for proiec-
tion against domestic violence. Trueman
Smith, who is here with you, says he likes
TO be at West Point because law and order
are here respond to that sentiment, be-
cause know that "a long az Vert Point
stands there will be law and order in this
country. Loud applause From here
goes an influence that carrIss peace and
protection wherever il goes. Inless this
power does exist, this land has no unity,
and its order is a fiction snd 4 farce. All
honest, true men are one in the opinion
thst law must be enforced, il need be by
the bayonet. Let me remind the members
Of the graduating class that your duties
have Just begun, and though your profes-
sion i. one Of technical study and discip-
line. its earnest pursuit il not unfsvorabie
to liberal thought and culture. Devote
yourselves especially TO biography and his
tory. Fidelity does not spring from the
muscles, but from the inner man. Let me
give YOU three words for a moito-Honor,
Duty, Faith. Honor, the characteristic
glory of the soldier, ia the allegiance he
owes TO his cause, his commanders, his duty
and his kind. These three words form the
strength and glory of our lives"
| Chief Justice Waite merely spoke Of the
pleasure il afforded him to be present The
efficiency of an army, he said, depended
largely upon the skill of Its officers. he
wished the class that success in life which
belonged only 10 these who performed
faithfully every duty.
SECRETARY M'CREARY's ADDRESS.
secretary MoCresry in substance said
at is your good fortune to be graduated
from an institution peculiarly National ir
its character, and under the patronage oi
the government of the United States
You are soldiers, not of a locality, not Of 8
section, not Of State; you now become
soldiers of the Republic. Applause.
Soldiers Of the grandest, proEdest, mos
powerful nation on the face of the earth
TApplause You should find inspiration
in this thought. 1t ia 10 be your function
to live for the perpetuity and glory of this
Nation, giving TO it your services and may
be life itself. You are officers of an army
which is the defender Of the rights of for
ty-fve millions Of people to-day, and be
fore you lay down your commands, per
hsps hundred millions. You are no
only soldiers but American citizens. You
interests are the interests OF this great peo
pie, and are TO a great extent in You
hands. Tney believe in You, and should ,
war break out in this land, the peopl,
would rally round you, forming an army
capable of defending the right
and the life Of the Nation against all ere
mics, foreign or domestic. Applause
GENERAL sHARMAN's address.
When General Schoie d said: 81 hav,
the honor Of presenting 10 you, young sol
diers, your Chief, the General OF ths
Army" General Sherman came forward
holding the merit list in his hand, and wa
loudly cheered. He said 81 hold this pa
per, containing sixty-six names, youn,
gentlemen, as evidence that you are nov
competent to become commissioned officer
in the Army Of the United States-that vol
are qualifiedto command men; and this il
veiy high privilege. How important tn
place Of the u n who handles the lever o
the locomotive or the steam engine tina
p-opels ships on the sea; how much NOR
important this position, where the machin'
is compo ed of human muscles and brains
with esery in;egrsl part Of the machin,
antimateu by human soul. There ia nt
position OF greater responsibility. Whethel
called upon TO morrow or next week, b,
ever ready 10 defend that flag with tn.
genius Of West Point end the genius of tn,
military profession. ! like to zee the pro
} fessors encourage the men to work for tn,
stars, but in complimenting the first five oil
the list / would not discourage the FIVE VIII,
} are last. You know enough If you max
good use OF what you know. To you W.
look for our cavalry leaders. Applause.
Let danger come when it may, keep tn,
head true, and the lowest man Oh the lis
may become leader. There is one schoo
above all schools, and that Is the school O
life. You are the centre of the affections 0
, family, of town, of a community. En-
joy your vacations; but when the order
come 60 to posts and do your duty, show
ing that you are both physically and men
tally qualified to commend men"
GENERAL PoPE's ADDRESS.
On General Pope rested the duty of ad
dressing the graduating class. After wei
! coming them In a few well-chosen words +
J the companionship and association of thei
brothers in arms, be said:
"Of all the professions known anon
men, the military profession imposes upol
its followers the heaviest burden and com
, pels to the hardest but the most thorough
school of selfdiscipline and Improvement
In this severe school you must expect TO b
treated courteously, it is true. but witt
scsnt consideration for personal wishes O
personal feelings. The great and absorbin
, function of the Army is the performance O
duty.
80 the country even more than to him
: self does the soldier owe this obligation O
duty; and whether serving under those VIII
are agreeable or dissgreesble, friends o
foes, the true soldier knows no feeling ex
cept loyalty TO his flag and his country
Applause Neither passion nor preju
dice, confidence nor distrust, friendship no
enmity should have, or should be sufere,
to have, any part or any consideration
when duty calls the soldier TO its perform
ance. His personal fidelity and his publi
fidelity are not interchangeable terms. Tn,
one is the impulse of feeling; the other tn
ruling of principle. Be careful never Il
confound them. They may exist together
but when separated, as you value your rep
utation and self-respect; cling to the trues
and highest standard. Thus, and thu!
only, shall you stand justified in the eyes O
your countrymen and in your own esteem
l[Applause
Be mindful, too, thst in lesving this in
| stitutiou Won hsye not completed Won,