The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1886-07-15
WEST POINT.
The Celebration of the Glorious
Fourth There.
cnAxsrox's uorEL. WEST PorSr, July 10.

cluuug the magni ilccnt scenery IN every
direction. and the fact that young men are
trained here TO devote their lives 10 the main
tenancc Of that liberty whose birthday we
celebrate on July 4, all seem TO inspire one TO
patriotic emotions. The celebration, too is
not one which makes night hideOus from about
July 70 6, as is the case in so many places,
but is strictly confined to daylight so far as
noiso is concerned and the early hours Of the
evening. Then, too, with so much open space
around, the booming Of cannon at proper hours
cannot disturb even the most nervous listeners
of course, every possible respect is shown the
National day at West Point A National salute
was fred NJ high noon on the 9th (the day cell
cbrated here as elsewhere this year FOR Inde-
pcndence Day from the battery in the Academy
grounds, and
A FORMAL CELEBRATION
began at 1890 a. m.
The ceremonies on the 9TH Of July at the
Military Academy are always fweather per-
mittingj held in the open air on the smooth,
green lawn beneath the fine old trees in front
si the library There an awning was erected
and platform covered with the National
coiors, and in front Of the latter were seats for
the cadets and officers stationed at the Academy
and their guests. Punctually at the appointed
time the notes from the band were heard and
The corps Of cadets was seen approaching
THE CADETS
appeared on that day in all-white suits, instead
O their former Summer attire Of white panta-
looms and gray short coats. The "plebs were
iu gray with white pantal0ons but the others
had white coats, white pantaloons and white
helmet hats. As the erect figures all in white
marched stifiiy over the lawn to the place
where the celebration was held. they reminded
your correspondent Of nothing so much as
ghosts Of the mighty dead untimely slain, 10
paraDhrase Homer's line a little.
Your correspondent has always had pro-
found admiration for the Drum Major of a
military band as the most awe-inspiring figure
In any pageant. and having seen the individual
holding that exalt rank in gorgeous array on
dress parade on July 3 with a hat whose long
ostrich plnmes -four white and one red, all
nodding made those on a first-cass infants
hcarse seem insignificant indeed imagine the
disappointment when he appeared at the cere-
monies on the Fourth Fifth utterly sh0rn Of
all such glories and wearing a white helmet
hat. Ii was not half a Fourth Of July cele-
hration with a ieatherless Drum Major leading
TIE band in the patriotic airs It was almost as
depressing as a flag az half-mast on that day.
When al were IN their places under the avn
ing the Chaplain Of the post, Rev. Wm. Postle-
thwate, made brief prayer from the plat
form, which WAS followed by music from the
band led by the n0ulted Drum Major Then
the Declaration Of Independence was well read
by Cadet Mark j. Hersey. Again patriotic
airs were led 10y the featherless Drum Major
and yet again after an oration by Cadet Marcus
ID. CrOnin, and the whole concluded with q
benediction from the Chaplain. The two
Cadets named both belong to the class which
viii be graduated next June, in which there
are now 65 young men.
The white suits which the Cadets wore that
day, l am told, were first permitted or intro
duced by Gen. Merritt, the present Superin-
tendent Of the Academy, as a suitable style for
warm weather. They certainly do look very
coOi and comfortable, but not very military.
GENERAL MERRITT,
il is said by those who ought 10 know. has
been of greater service than almost any Of his
predecessors in command al West Point, IN ad-
vancing the institution and improving its dis
eipline, while making the Cadets as comfort
able as possible under the strict rules.
lie has not, however, followed Gen. HowaFd's
example in not allowing the dress parade to
take place on Sunday afternoons. Gen. Howard,
] am told, is the only Superintendent ever in
command az The Academy who has forbidden
the daily dress parade occurring on Sundays.
Gen. Merritt is 50 highly esteemed here, that
while all think be deserves and should have
promotion, IL VIII be a source Of great regret
when be and his wife leave the post As usual,
there are many officers and their families at
I West Point who make
A CHOICE SOCIETY
az al times Of the year. The accommodations
4 provided for all by the Government are the best
4 possible, and although the situation is so eK-
/ posed the houses are perfectly warmed in
Winter Those who have spent Winters here
say That, il possible, the scenery, magnificent
az il Is now while the hills are with verdure
clad, is finer when the snow and ice abound.
! Mr. Rockwell Of the Army, and his wife the
! daughter Of Col G. W. Moulton, formerly OF
Ohio, and niece Of General and Senator Sher-
man, are AZ West Point where Mr.. Rockwell is
stationed. They have a young baby, about the
I age Of That Of her cousin, Mrs. Don Cameron,
which was lately born in Washington. Mr.
Harrison, Of the Army, aud vile, the daughter
Of Mrs. Ross Eay, Of Washington, are also al
West Point TINS Summer
THE PLEBs"
The number Of plebs" (or the lowest class
/ al the Academy this year is unusually great
( There are over I60 who were admitted this
Summer. They do not vet drill with the Older
classes, OF course. The class which was gradu.
ated In june was the largest that was ever
graduated from the Academy -mustering II
There arc 65 now IN the class which will finist
the coarse next June In ls77 class Of 7O wa.
graduated which was the largest number up 4
this year.
Having the Military Academy, its officer
and cadets, as permanent attraction,
THE eEAsON AT THE HOTELS
here Is not confined 10 the same dates as a
other resorts. June, on account Of the exercise
at the Academy when the first class cadets ar
graduated, the ball at that time and Ia
alumni dinner, Is FAR gayor than July, an,
again the last " August aud all Of September
when other resorts are closing Up for the sea
son, find the hotels here very full A larg
company, however spent the 9TH and 9Th G
july here. al day on the Sd and 9Th the train
and boats from al directions were coming Il
heavily loaded with passengers and baggage
That last word recalls my own sufierings 4
coming here, for what would otherwise hav
) been q short aud most delightful trip over "a
beautiful Hudson River Railroad, which bring
: passengers here from New York ia one hou
and l6 minutes on its special Saratoga train
+ which make no stops between the Grand Cen
tTal Depot and GarrisOn's, the station for Wes
{ Point and Cranston's was wholly spoiled b
{ the delinquency Of a New York baggage ez
pressDan, who did not permit me 10 get IN
4 express train az all. Al IN the morning Z
the day was 20 leave New York engaged m
hctherinRtOn express. because lis Office In GO
street was close by where ] was visiting In
private house, 20 take one trunk for mo 10 IN
( baggage room Of the Hudson River Railroad
\ time for The 3:30 train that afternoon / WI
4 promised that the trunk should be called for
Y ~, and IL was ready "a that time, bat the e,
{ prossman not coming for it went 10 remiu
q him, and again be promised al should be rich