Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-06-13

It must confine itself to that branch CT
knowledge which it is its particular aim
to impart, coupled with those branches
which are most intimately connected with
its special purpose. This is manifestly
true of schools of law, of medicine, of
engineering, and of physical science. 1t
is equally true of military schools. More
over. no school can complete an educa-
ton even in that particular branch of
knowledge to which it is devoted;
the teaching OF all schools
is necessarily elementary. Schools
can only lay the foundation; it is the man
himself in after years who must build the
house. No school of law can make John
Marshall or Joseph Story. No school of
medicine can make a Bigelow or a Wier
Mitchell. No school of divinity can man
ufacture Jonathan Edwards or a Chan
ming. No military school can make an
Alexander or Caesar. How wide the in
terval between the cadet of Brienne and
the victor of Austerlitz; between young
graduate of this academy and Grant at
Appomattox or Sherman on his march to
the sea. Had their education been limited
to the curriculum of a school: had not
years of experience, Of effort and of growth
interviewed and had not years Of actual war
developed their powers, it would have been
impossible for them to be Napoleon, OIL
Grant, or Sherman.
1t is so in ell professions. The young
lawye: thoroughly trained, though he may
be in the schools of law, is, when he comes
to the trial of cause, but as child in the
hands of the experienced practitioner.
The young physician at the bedside of the
sick Is helpless as compared with one who
for life time has watched the changes and
variations Of disease.
So it is wIta you. Admirably equipped
as you are With all that a military school
can give 700, the practice OF your profess
sion yol nave yet to learn. You have yet
to learn hJw to apply the theoretical
knowledge which you possess; you have
yet to learn the great art of commanding
men. The art OF commanding men is not
the art of giving orders and
inficting punishment If they are not
obeyed. 1t is the art of obtain
ing from men a willing obedience; the art
OF drawing forth their utmost efforts; the
art of inspiring them with such sentiments
of duty ana devotion that no obstacle can
daunt them, no danger can appaIl. The
most important qualities for the man who
qualities: they are moral; it is a firm,
honest, unselfsh and just character that
commands the respect Of men, attracts
their confidence and secures their obedi-
ence. The worst disqualification is the
love of power. The desire for power for
the sake of the good that one may do is a
noble emotion; the love Of power for
powers SAKE is one Of the meanest passions
of the human heart.
In learning the practice of your profess
sion there is one danger to be avoided. 1t
is that you may neglect the theory; that
you may neglect and even forget those
studies which have occupied you here.
Absorbed in the often monot onous and
sometimes wearisOme routine of our
daily life you may be content to do simply
the work of the hour, looking forward to
no higher duties, making no preparation
for higher spheres of action in the future.
1t is true that at the worst some effect of
the mental discipline which you have here
received will remain with you through life;
but surely you would wish for something
more, and whether you would or would
not wish it, it is your duty to
strive for it; it is your duty to the country
that has given you education and position
that you should strive for 1t. Education
has noT been given 30 you for your own
benefit. Indeed 1t would not be in accord
ance with the spirit of our political insti-
buttons 10 single out few young men and
educate them above the majority of their
fellows for their own benefit. 1t has been
given to you by the country for its bene-
tit; you hold it as i trust. And you must
remember that you cannot stand still. We
know that the whole material universe,
from the atoms TO the stars is in motion;
that in it motion Is life and rest is death.
So Is it i'll the realm of mind; the mind
must move, and. if it does not go forward
twill go back.
and, moreover, The military art is con-
stantIy changing and constantly progress
ing art-never before so rapidly changing
and progressing as COW. and even if you
could stand still, your profession in few
short years would leave you far behind.
To the graduate of this academy who is
content to rest upon his past, who does not
look forward 10 the future, who does not
seek to prepare himself for future useful
ness in wider and wider spheres; diplomas,
such as these which you have just received,
cease to be marks of distinction. 1t is no
longer an honor to hold then.
Donot think thai am holding up tolyou
the duty of leading hard, cold and cheer
less life. Pleasures. and enjoyments with
in the bounds of reason are as necessary
as labor to mans best Development, both
of body and of mind. But beg you to
believe that l speak the opinion and tell
you of the experience of all thoughtful
men who have reached and passed middle
age when say that life of honest and
honorable effort is the only happy life.
The profession of arms has been the
object, sometimes, of the admiration and,
sometimes, of the excavations of mankind.
By turns it has deserved them both. Which
it should receive depends upon the man
ner and the spirit in which, and the objects
for which, it is pursued.
History is full of examples of what the
soldier should not be. The great con-
querors of antiquity, animated solely by a
lust for power and dominion, ruthlessly
scattering desolation and misery among
millions of their fellowmen. The bar
barrie hordes which swept the face of
Europe when Rome was falling. The con-
dottieri of the middle ages with their fol-
lowers, the White mpanies-the Grand
companies, the companies of Saint George
men without homes, without kindred,