National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-05-05
COOLER weather!

TODAY is the great pacing race.
VENHoR's cold snap is due, and, to a GER
tain extent, is here.
THE very latest star route outgive is
that Brady & Co. hired the Cincinnati
convention to nominate Hancock. Is it
possible any of the brethren voted for the
"true hero of the war" for filthy lucre
YOUR Uncle Joseph Brown retains his serenity
in the face the attacks of The Republican or
ganS.-AHdnta Constitution.
OF course. There is nothing to disturb
him now. There are no Democratic bull
dozers hunting for his Republican scalp
as in days of yore. Serene? Yes, as
serene as a bucket of molasses in January.
DROP HIN" !" is the advice the Hartford
Cottrant gives the Republican Senators
concerning Gorham. As Senator Hawley
is the editor of the C0arait he will proba-
bly admonish the sub-editor that it is in
decorous for his paper to advise disregard
of the action of the caucus in which he
participated.
A National Military School.
West Point is, in one sense, a national
institution for the inculcation of a knowl-
edge of the principles and art of war. 1t
is supported by the General Government,
and solely under its direction and con-
troll. 1t fails, however, to fulfill the re-
quirements of truly national military
academy. In the first place, the methods
md character Of appointments are not as
hey should be. In a majority Of cases
favoritism is the only key that viii Sc.
cure admission to the precincts sacred to
the profession of arms, and the candi-
dates are too frequently selected without
regard to their fitness or prediction for
the life and duties OF a soldier
Military genius may be improved by
education, but no amount of schooling
can atone for its absence. The individual
who lacks this great element of a success
ful career may pass through the different
grades undergo a fair or even creditable
examination, and upon graduating enter
the army and subsequently take his va
rious steps in the line of promotion so
that, at the age of sixty, he will have at
tained, it may be, the rank of brigadier.
But when this has been said nothing more
remains to be offered. He may be well
versed in matters of army discipline,
thoroughly familiar with the prescribed
tactics and regulations, competent to
command, under proper supervision,
regiment, or brigade, even; but he is not
a soldier in the fullest sense of the word
He lacks adaptability, fertility of re-
sources, genius, and genuine love for his
chosen pursuit, without which no man
can attain to more than a respectable
mediocrity in this most exacting of all
callings.
The limitation concerning the age of
the candidate is another serious matter to
be taken into account when considering
the sufficiency of West Point as a school
wherein men are supposed to be educated
in order to the better assist in case of need |
in the national defense As a feeder for |
the regular or standing army it may be |
well enough TO require that aspirants to |
military learning and hOnOrs shall not |
have lived to exceed a certain number of |
years under twenty-one; but if the OBJ |
jects of the system of education are to be |
considered in broader sense-in that |
sense which views the Academy as the |
source from whence is supposed to issue
the genuine military spirit-the restric- |
ton imposed by law is certainly prejudi-
cial, even if not positively hurtful. 1t de- |
bars many possessing real genius and a
decided love for the profession from OBJ |
tanning those benefits which can only be |
derived from systematic course of study |
under competent instructors.
The late war developed a vast amount |
of military talent upon both sides and |
among a class which, prior to the OPEN
ing of hostilities, was generally supposed |
to include only such as were fitted to obev. |
And when the war closed it left a nation |
of soldiers as one of the grand results, |
and stronger and more general inclina-
ton to military pursuits as another. The |
rapid spread and increased efficiency of |
the national guard" system proves the
truth of this assertion beyond contro- |
Versy. What the Nation now needs is an
institution for fostering this spirit and |
increasing this efficiency-an institution
wherein officers of the organized militia !
of each State may enjoy course of in
struction, under proper regulations and
limitations, at the national expense; or
upon scholarships supported by State aid.
proper discrimination being made, so that
none be admitted who do not possess a
decided predilection fer and have not
already shown a certain degree of adapta-
bility to the profession of arms.
Provision ought also to be made for the
admission of those having an inclination
to study in that direction who have the
means and leisure to crafty their desires.
There are doubtless thousands of young
men of wealth and position who would
avail themselves of such an opportunity.
and the Nation thereby be the gamer, as
the most obtuse mind may readily per-
celve. The Government would be at no
as each student would pay a
sum for the course; and, while
the graduate might Immediately re-enter
civil life, yet, with at least a sound theo-
retical military education in addition to
his other requirements he would prove a
more valuable citizen, especially in the
event ola declaration of hostilities against
: foreign power or in case of domestic
disturbance.
\ polytechnic institute, fashionedupon '
;u2h model, would prove of incalculable ,
benefit in more ways than one. The ,
present Military Academy might be easily $
adapted to meet the requirements of the '