Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-07-12
WEST POINT ACADEMY.
Eotsor from California Boy Concerning
she Recent Graduating ExerCises-Btc.

E0t$or from a California Boy Concerning
she Recent Graduating BxerCises-Hsc.
Elps RgcoRD-UNIoN: l was 80 delighted
with the exercises at West Point that
must share the pleasure with friends at
home. a son of the Golden West imbued
with the romance and poetry Of my own
lovely land, West Point was painted in the
brightest hues of memory as the loveliest
s0uveniT Of American liberty. Leaving
New York, a two-hours sail brings you to
ihe Point,-a two hours in which nature
Hnfolds panorama of her choicest views.
The noble Hudson-so smooth and I'M
Kuffied- clear, and sometimes ilVe
miles in width, on either side recedIn8
mountains nearly approaching in hight the
Sierra EeVadas, clothed with forests OF
oaks, dotted with elegant summer homes,
nesting Tricky among the trees, makes
beautiful scene.
West Point is quite a city, and situated
on g shelving plateau overlooking the
river. beautifully wooded, with innumer-
able walks, everything scrupulousIy clean
and orderly, is one of the prettiest spots
Imaginable.
at $50 saturday, to the call of the drum,
Che cadets, straight as arrows, with white
pants and dress coats of gray, their faces
beaming with good health and animation,
assembled in military order before the bar
racks for u dress parade before their chief,
The President of our United States The
President wore q civilians dress, and &C
CompanyiDg him were Generals Sheridan,
Crook, Rosecrans, Secretary Lincoln and
Ranv other distinguished visitors. veterans
Of war and State. To the music of Hail
II. -. L.
you hfll battalion marched out into the
drill ground, and drew up in long line
before the President The President re-
viewed the cadets marching around the
line After a series of military drills, the
boys repaired to the spot in front OF the
library building prepared for the gradual
ing exercises. There was much oratory
and music General Crook spoke many
words Of good advice to the graduates He
had returned to the Point after al expert
encc and absence of thiTty-two years.
During his remarks he told them not to
consider their education ended, but Just
begun, and to continue study, and TO make
themselves worthy of their calling.
The President delivered the diplomas
with a few remarks, specially congratulate
ing the head of the class, Irving Hall, who
has acquired the highest record ever made
al this military academy. The young man
stood before the President firm and erect,
a tear falling from his eye-the most
eloquent response that could be made in
appreciation of She honor accorded him.
TO many the appearance OF the cadet who
had gained this distinction was a disap-
pointment BE is very short, but notwith-
standing this, has a military style and
bearing that more than makes up for
height. He has q very boyish face well
shaped, with light hair and bright blue
eyes, and look of extraordinary intelli-
geuoe. In his studies he has beaten the
record Of the institution. and is recognized
~ the brightest light that has ever gradu-
ated in the history of the school
After the exercises the cadets retired to
the barracks, DOTTED their military habil-
ment5 for the more fashionable citizens
dress, and were then transformed into quite
the ideal dude-minus the puny, sickly
look, eye-glasS and cane. They are all
strong, healthy-l0Oking fellows, well do.
vclOPed and trained to hard usage. Under
their cavalry service instructions, they are
cXoellenuy drilled III the art of horscman-
ship, They Jump on and off horse bare
back at full gallop, dashing with their
sword from right to left, cutting off with
in the shape of post with hat on il and
draw their pistol and shoot another, all at
foil speed.
One could fully appreciate the advantage
Of the discipline by comparing the freshly
arrived asDirants for military hOnors with
the older cadets. They are called "plebes'
for the first year and are raw-b0ncd,
hGmelv, awkward youths. At the school,
riches and social distinction are unknown.
The only distinction is that won by indus
by Of mind and body.
DANA PERKINS. JE