National Republican., 1886-08-10
AMERICAS MILL TARY SCHOOL.
what Makes it Attractive Beauty of
its Surroundings.


and dithas produced, or rather trained, the ge-
Mus Of some Of the greatest generals OF this
or any other age. Grant, Lee, and Johnson
are names that alone raise up for IL mon
ument that must stand forever, monu-
ment that will remain uniniluenced by time
or climatic changes, and that caunot
crumble and wear away; one that Will not
tax human ingenuity, as the Egyptian obe-
lsk is now doing, for It's continued preser-
walton. To tho American boy who enters
West Point, and whose nature is bold and
unfettered, the discipline OF the academy
must seem at first like an iron hand laid
upon him and ready TO fell him to the earth,
so severe are the rules and restrictions.
But as the days and weeks go on he recog-
nizes that the enforced regime devel-
ops a power and a self.control within
himself that is necessary for success in
the great battle OF life that every man born
of woman is called upon to fight. And
that 1t fits him for command in the COM
bat OF the field, where the fierce passions Of
race provoke them to deadly conflict, aud
armed forces meet for vengeance or to set
tie just rights. Then II is that the leaders
OF the fray and humanity realize in its
fullness that obedience In the troops to
their superiors Is the first law to be en-
forced. For obedience In warfare Is the
primary law Of order, and order is the law
of the spheres. A general can regulate his
troops as a good chess player does his
moves. Hence military tactics is o science
not to be ignored.
Owen Meredith says
Obedience is nober than freedom.
Whats iree2 The vexed straw on the wind,
The frothed spumo on the sea2
The great ocean itself as 1t bounds and II
swells
In the bonds of boundess obedience dwells
West Point is proverbial for its gayety.
The cadets have three hops a week during
tho awnpt timn. wlan thny
go into camp and have a plenty Of
leisure. 1t is the halcyon period Of their
matriculation. No more beautiful spot
could have been selected by the government
for this school, AMI nature and art have
combined to make It so attractive that the
landscapes and buildings seen In dream
would appear to be too perfect for reality,
and seen as a picture drawn only from
Utopia. The bellies Of the camp at this
time are the Misses Diclanson, Tracy, and
Gile, OF New York; the Misses Irving,
daughters of Col. Irving, U. S. A.; Miss
Perry, daughter Of Gen. Perry. U. s. A.;
Miss Curtis, daughter of Prof. Curtis, OF
the academy, and Miss Mann.
One of the attractions Of West Point is
Cranston's Hotel. 1t is eX cathedra In
appointment and service. The rates are S.
per day, but the entertainment and sur
roundings justify the charge. 1t is situated
on bold bluff that fronts the Hudson, and
ID IN tn6 mlubJ Oh eNJenblVc BrOunub InhJ
are laid out as park, with lordly trees,
velvety grass plats and rustic seats and
arbors, and moss-covered rocks flung there
by natures hand, how many centuries ago
geology alone can tell. Its guests at present
are people Of large wealth, who drive their
own elegant turnouts with liveried coach
men and ilunkies, and who have the good
sense to prefer this place, with Its magniti-
cent outlook and drives, to the rush and
glitter Of Saratoga. know but one place
in this country TO compare to 1t, and that is
the Greenbrier White Sulphur, West
Virginia. The young ladies spend much
time in the saddle and driving their
own village carts, with a tiger; and
those fortunate enough to have escorts
consider themselves bellies, for the young
men are few and far between during the
day, many Of them going to New York to
their business each morning In the early
boat or train and returning in the evening.
The old lads-the term Is English, you
know however, are always on hand, sun
ming themselves like serpents, and basking
and smoking. They are on leave from their
law Offices, counting houses, &C.; and they
pore over the World, and the Tribune, and
the Herald, and the Sun, and the Times,
and the Washington papers until you would
think they would go mad. But, instead Of
becoming rabid, they 90. to sleep and
snore This last touch is quite Eng
would not do it. Their wives, dear
souls, would not permit It'll But the
most refreshing thing to the eye OF
your correspondent is that there is not q
single congressman among them. There Is
something about the looks Of congress
man that makes you perfectly weak II You
associate much with them. For they all
pose as Atlas, and you always feel as II you,
for one, would like to jump off and relieve
them OF that much weight at least, and
thus dispossess yourself OF q certain amount
of responsibility for their consequential
ness. lis that word Bnglish?l Nothing
bloats man these days so much as politics:
Cranston's has the the advantage, too, Of
being on the outskirts Of Highland Falls
village, which is as picturesque as 1t is
pretty. Opposite the west gate OF the park
Is the Church of the Sacred Heart, which
has an interesting history. The parish was
formed In 1870 by the late cardinal ap-
pointing the present pastor. Rev, Father
Early, to take charge OF IL and West Point
At that time there was small church nearly
mile from the, center Of the people and
almost inaccessible on account OF the steep
hill upon which II was built. The necessity
for a change was evident. Undaunted by
the fact that the congregation was small
and poor, and in tue face of continued
and persistent opposition, Father Early
went to work to procure proper site for
thenew church. A plot Of ground belong
ing to the CoZzons' :estate' was the only
thing that offered, and this was procured
for $4,000 cash on November %, 1872.
Rocks and trees were the product of this
plot, and TO prepare It for what itwas IN
tended the pastor Immediately comm enced
operations, and, on the 22d OF August,
1875, the corner stone was blessed and laid
by Bishop McNierney, Of Albany. On the
2Sth of November Of the same year the
basement was opened for divine worship, and
served for church for nearly two years.
The next thing was to build q priests
house, which was accomplished during
those years when the church was also COM
pleted. On August the 10th, 1877, the
sanctuary was solennly dedicated TO Gods
service by the Right Rev. Mgr. w. Quinn,
vicar general Of the diocese.
This year the interior has been beautifed
by private subscriptions. The stations OF
the Cross, In raised figures, were the gift OF
many individuals, the names OF whom are
inscribed on tablets. One was presented by
the Catholic Corps Of Cadets, and another
by half dozen young men, which teaches
its own lesson. The painting and decorat-
ing was paid FOR by small and large contrl-
buttons, an old soldier giving 500 and an
other 800. To complete this last improve
ment Father Cahill, the assistant of Father
Early, has labored untiringly and has sue
ceeded beyond his expectations.
Near by is q handsome Episcopal Church,
built Of stone, and there are several others
of various sects.
And the eternal hills look down, and
might well leap with Joy. WANDA.