New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-06-13
GRADUATES OF WEST POINT.
FIFrY-Two CADETS MADE LIEUrENANrs

ADDRESSES BY SECRETARY LINCOLN AND GENERAL
TERRY-FAREwELL WORDS FROM GENERAL
SHERMAN
IRON SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE
WEST POINT, June 12.-The Military Aca-
DENY to-day sent ont into the cold world-or ra'ne
warm world for the day here has been hot one-hy"o
young men. paed them on the head and told them W
good boys All that the course OF In
has left of the class OF 's3 received their
Diplomas from the hands of the Secretary OF war
this forenoon and few hours later chad bid farewell 10
cadet grey" forever.
The graduating exercises were held In front Oh .no
Library They began at IL O'Clock and lasted nnt aci
IL. An awning stretched from the old eifns 'p",
shade the lawn In front OF the Library anu
under 1t platform draped Win hase
On this platform Secretary Lincoln 'he
high officers Of the Army and the Boaru .,
visitors Camp ranged the green sward ionou
for the graduating class and for portion vi '
large assemblage OF visitors. Back OF the grauua"t
class were the of the cadets drawn up In line anu
standing at place rest In the middle OF the platform
sat Secretary Lincoln, dressed in closehttng suit VI
black On either side of him flashed the uniforms OF
Generals Sherman Terry, Cuum and Merritt ana their
no less gergeousy arrayed aids. In contrast WIN
these bright uniforms Appeared the black gown oi '
post chaplain, the Rev. Mr.. Postlehwait just oeo"
the platform among the spectators, sat General unu
Mrs Grant.
"Benny Havens AID when these so dear to every
West Point heart had died away the Secretary OF war
arose and presented the diplomas, each CADET co"s
forward as his name called All the graduates were
greeted with less applause as they came lor-
ward, and mans popularity could be accurately
gaueed by the amount OF noise his fellow cadets aue '
he received his diploma.
After each member of the class OF s3 had In turn gone
ND TO the platform cadet and had away lieuten-
ant General Merritt introduced General Terry, VINO
welcomed the graduates to the ranks OF the oncerso
the Army with pleasant words After dwelling upon the
necessity military schools in country which seldom
has experience in actual war, General Terry said
know that 1t Is the fashion Of the hour to say that
we hive no Navy and unfortunately far as regaruS
the material OF naval warfare there too much truth IN
the remark The Of ships are no longer "hat
they were when the Old Constitution carried Abort her
starry ensign with 500 New-EugaDd freehoders upon
her triumphant decks. But the heart the SOUL the nina
OF the Navy still exist; they have suffered no ueeay'
The last three decades have shown that we still possess
men worthy stand by the side OF the foremost OF the
great historic admirals Of the mistress OF the seas
There is one here to-day OF whom cannot foroear
10 speak for he Is here for the last time "a our ehei anu
our leader. The world knows his genius; the wor'u
kno VS. what he has achieved wherever tie morning
gun sautes sunrise his and his fame are upon
the lips OF soldiers What all the world may not know
those who have been brought near TO him do know
they know the warmth ard tenderness OF his Sympa-
thes; they know tho generosity OF his nature,
the maguanlmity Of his soul Soon he VIII
leave us to seek that rest which becomes
more and more grateful years advance but he leaves
US with tae affection and with the gratitude Of the Ma
ton which he has served well. Happy Will any OF
you be who shall serve your country with his sincerity
Of purpose and bis purity OF heart May inc eVshg OF
ls days be ~ tranquil their noon has been glorious
aud when him snail come that inevitable hour which
wsyfarer VINO IS weary. Let such men as these DC 10
The next speaker was Admiral Rodgers who.
as president OF the Board OF Visitors DEW,
T seeieary Lincoln who spoke briefly General MERIT
General sherman can need no Introduction from me-"
There was storm OF applause a. General sherman rose
I'm looking at thls class" said he, "even from
this distance. they look very much hke the ciass
OF last yeac" There was a ripple %
laughter for everyone had expected that the old Qenera
Ana OF the year before" o5niipue1 he and the year
when was a graduate. can almost myself sitting
there and all my old companions around me ean
old Joe Blankster WHO came here IN the spring o,
! 1880. lie was blk stout fellow, weighing go
saa o Joos father d.d and he went home aearns
his cadet uniform for he was too poor 10 buy ctLens
and Tyisr too; And while Joe was homo he went to a
political meeting when the orator spoke OF the rahhy
OF the Government. OF tbs President living Ia ~ a
| white palace and feeding of OF gold spoon aud o.
place called West Point where wasp-waistcd NamprH
one OF those wasp.waisted vampires said he
and he stepped upon the platform You eOuld hAruy
! ina
when the people saw him they laughed ana SAID II
that IL "a sample want more OF them. rms incident
was abroad and believe saved the Academy Tor
we were ia a very precguOus condition IN tho-o days
Poor Blankster; he struck 10y lightning tn Florida
and lies buried amid the shadows OF the everglades.
| always love a cadet that looks like Blankster
| Then there was Bryan L. Tilden, OF Boston, VINO
served in the Mexican war; And so, one by one, the
speaker looked back forty three years OF stormy
| life and called around him the memories OF his dead
companions lie spoke In low tone and Wild the great
In his audience no one spoke or hardly
| moved a., H.. o.,
come here for the time in my official capacity
continued he; for ia two months lay down my com
| mapd cheerfilly and willingly. Perhaps shall never
he here more at all. but II shall come often on
occasions like this De with YOU hope you VIII thlnk
of me kindly" Then raising his hand TO the cloudless
sky he said Accept this bright day ns symbol OF
! what Won may attain. GUOd-by, one aud all. -
! Then from lie band the strains OF " Old Iaug
syne aud after the the chaplain pronounced the
| benedotion. . -, ,... -, a..
| Academy had a dinner In the Mess Hail, Among the
Candidates who reported to-day was John H. Alexander
Young miattO. lie Is nineteen years old aud was APP
p0lDted from the XIYth COngress District OF Oho
! bv Congressman Geddes. His father and
mother were originally belonging 10 the Alexander
family OF Virginia Alcxaudcrls an aernate.so that MS
adIoisiDn depends not only upon his passing the prelm
mary niaOns but the failure OF the otler canui
| date lroIn the same DISTRICT