New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-06-13
WEST ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
sIxTY-sJy NEW OFFICERS.

The CHAPEL IN THE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
BY PRESIDENT NOAH POINTER. onIEF-JusTicE
WAITE, SECRETARY MCRARY ASD GENERAL ".
T. sHERNAN-GESERAL POPE TO THE CADETS
MERIT LIST OF THE GRADUATING CLAsS-PRo-
MOTIONS AND CLOSING SCENES.
IRON A SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT oP THE TRrBuSE.I
WEST PoINT, June 12.-It is raining hard
at THIS half before and the hillside paths arc
small rivera The completely wells the hills and
river, and terrific flashes OF lightning preeede crashes OF
thunder, sometimes uncomfortably near. The chapel
Library Hall and the Academic baildIng are crowded
with ladies lawn dresses aud white Summer hats and
gentlemen In their finest and highest saying
Oh dear - or laughing only sweet-tempered girls
laugh when starch has been taken out Of their
fine skirts and their bouquets are dropping Ii was
lively scramble for To what haven or shelter the
General Of the Army the nguished visitors and
tie Board OF Visitors have reireafed. at present
does ndt appear. Everybody went TO bed in
the early morning hours and everybody routed out
before 10 this morning to be- present at the grad
uating exercises set down for H. Arrangements were
made for very pretty spectacle IN front OF Library Hall
and under grove OF noble eiems. triangular space
In front of the platform raised for the speakers was re-
served for the Class and Cadet Corps the TANKS
being with and camp stools. which oc
cuied by 500 ladies' and gentlemen nearly an hour be-
fore the time eMss and clouds to gather at sun
rise and the minute thar General schoneld followed
by General Sherman. ChiefJustice Waite. Secretary
McCrary. w. SOughon, Minister to Russia General
Pope President Noah Porter and the Board of Visitors
started for the PLATFORM great drops began TO fall and
part OF the crowd believing that General Schohed would
adjourn the meeting To the chapel made rusf Tor mat
incommodious building The officers took seats under
the elms but General Sherman who sat with uncovered
head up and anxiousy surveyed his position
He decided yslor in retreat than IN
damaged white vest, and General Schofeld declared
the exercises postponed until l O'Clock.
This delay upset all calculations for dinner and for
taking the afternoon boat and the early trains which
hundreds had set their The confusion that will
reign at the hotels will beggar description There were
several Of serocome drama at the hotels yester
day afternoon and evening. There has been 80
large attendance before In West Point festivities
Three days ago they had taken to slowing away ladies
two three and four together in little bedrooms at
the West Point Hotel. Gentlemen were satisfied with
In the basement and cupola Two hundred guests
many Cozzenss Hotel before entertained AT
this season of the year. They called upon to pro
vide for more than 400 yesterday, with fair
results, considering the lack of preparation. Din
was matter OF hour and half, the
first thirty minutes being spent in attracting the
eye Of q waiter One New-York youth, who brought
his "swallowtal suit for the grand ball was moved from
the ground door to the attic. The youth his bag and
the carefully husbanded smt became separated. owing
the stupidity of calboys, and the great event OF the
afternoon was the search for the " swaow-tail, IN
which the landlord cal-bOys, chambermaids and the
from Poughkeepsie who abored under the impression
that his wife had been insued because her room was
taken possession of by some gentlemen who had the
right He took satisfaction by crying his
grievance about the hotel.
Sunlight was breaking through the clouds when the
privileged family friends of the graduating cadets be-
gan to gather IN the small chapel Handsome young
ladies reckoned friends OF the cadets, as mat
ter Of course. At O'Clock ChetJustice Waite was sit
ting in the pulpit, and Secretary McCrary President
Noah Porter General Pope and General SchOfed in the
enclosed space in front of the pulpit General Sherman
L. W. stoughton and prominent military officers were
the right of the pulpit and the Board OF Visitors and
prominent gentlemen the left The asles were
crowded and great many visitors were unable to gain
admtance. The Cadet Corps escorted the graduating
class the chapel the latter having seats in the middle
pews, while the other three classes stacked arms and
remained outside The band occupied the organ loft
and opened with g The Star spangled Banner" and
" Ny Country, lis of Thee"
PRESIDENT PORTERs ADDRESS.
President Noah Porter beng Introduced by General
Schoneld, said in brief:
"The story told that 100 years ago when the City of
New-Uaven was invaded by the British, my prcde-
cessOr in Office lat Yalel armed himself with musket
and eoncealing himself behind BUSH, fired as RAPIDLY
as he could into enenys flank they marched into
the town. On being overtaken by the British and ae,
eosed With What are you dong here you insane oJ
war L find myself, in exercise Of the rights
as my PREDECESSOR On behalf Of Board of Visitors,
without anticipating what will be given in the report in
detail, | may say that, though composed OF repre-
sentaives different parts Of the conn
try, their impressions ana conclusions nave
been singulaFly harmonious on every point
as Importance and thoroughness Of the training at
West Point and the general efficiency of the administra
ION 70 almost ali that happens here We believe that
vgOr and prosperity of this institution are yitay
but with its existence. A civilized country in
days must cultivate military science knoTledse
OF the arts and appliances OF war must ne handed dowh
generation TO another and the nspratlonp pass
from heart heart We need military science that We
may respected by our neighbos abroad who II they
should learn that this Institution had ceased TO exist IN
half years time would ADJUST themselves accordingly:
Weneed military science also, Tor proecuop asaIh5t
domestic violence. Truenan smith, who Is mere WIN
you says he likes 10 be at West Point because law ana
order are here. respond 10 that sentiment because
know that long West Point stands there VIII be
law and order III this country Loud applause.l From
here goes u influence that carries peace and protection
wherever 1t goes. Unless tns power does exist TINS
All honest true are one IN the opinion that law
must be enforced If need be by the bayone Let me re
mind the members Of the graduating class that your
duties have lust begun Although your profession Is
of technical study ana discipline s earnest pnd
Devote yourselves especially to biography and history
Fidelity does not sprag from the muscle Dut IRON the
Honor, Duty Faith Honor the characteristic eIOri OF
the soldier Is the allegiance he owes TO his cause MS
commanders his duty and his kind These three words
| form the strength and glory OF our hNSs l.. ~,
fried nm 70 bs present The efficiency Of army, he
said depended largely upon the skill OF IT'S officers he
wished the class that success in life which belonged
only TO those who performed faithfully every duty
SECRETARY ICRARY's ADDRESS
Secretary McCrary in substance said :" 1t IL your
good fortune 20 be graduated from institution pecu
arly National in It's and under the patronage
of the Government OF United states. You are sol
dIers not OF LEGALITY. not OF section. not OF stale
YOU now become soldiers Of the Republic. ZAP
nIause1 soldiers OF the grandest, prondest. most
powerful nation the face OF the earth
Applanse You should find inspiration In this thought
In is 10 be your function 10 live for the perpeuty ana
glory OF this Nation, giving TO your services, ana
he Re itself
the defender OF the rights of forty hve millions OF peo
pie to-day. and before you lay down your commands
nerhaps "A hundred millions. You are not only soldiers,
but AMERICAN citizens Your interests are the interests
of this great people, and are TO great extent IN your