Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-05-03
EST POINT IN THE WAR.


Twenty leagues to the north from the
city of New York. nestled in the midst of
the beautiful Highlands, is a plateau of
ground, resting upon a foundation of
granite and gneiss, perhaps one and half
miles in circumference, upon which are
placed the dwellings, the barracks and
academic halls of the West Point Military
academy. The father of our country, the
great Washington, selected the ground
upon which to place United States mill
tary institution, at which the youth OF our
country could be instructed in the art and
science of war.
There is no spot in America more beauti-
fnlly picturesque, or which is surrounded
with greater historic interest or hallowed
ASSOCIATION.
The strategic Importance of the place
was fully developed in our early struggle
for independence, This little Gibraltar
prevented the union of Howe's and
Burgoyne's armies, the former being com
PEELED to evacuate New York City, the
latter exposed to defeat and capture upon
the field of Saratoga.
The West Point Academy had been es-
tablished but never was fairly organized
until in the twenties. Since that period it
has steadily grown in strength, import
ance and usefulness, SURPRISING IN COM
pleteness and thoroughnes of instruction
any school of the kind known.
West Point in times past has had its
struggles: its enemies have been bold in
and out of congress, but fortunately for
the country it was the fiippant, the lg-
norant and the weak who assailed it, de-
claring that it had aristocratlc tendencies
The cadets at the military academy at
West Point are appointed by as fair law
as human intellect can devise. Each
members of congress chooses the repre-
sentatives from hisdistrict, each territorial
=. cala q he
territory he represents, and finally the
president of the United States, under the
| law. has the privilege OF appointing ten
representatives at large. The latter quote
| is supposed to be selected from the sons of
officers of the army and navy, or OF other
| public servants having no localized citizen
ship amongst the states or territories.
| There cannot be an aristocracy of wealth
at West Point. All the cadets are re-
auired to live and sleep in the same bar
racks upon beds of the same kind and
manufactu re: they wear the same kind of
clot hing, made by the same hands: they
eat the same kind of food. seated together
| at tables; they perform the same duties:
their studies are identical, taught by the
same professors are subject TO the same
restraints and discipline, 50 there IS no
chance for wealth 20 display itself
There is, thank God, one kind of aristoc-
racy there. It's the aristocracy of truth.
As soon as young man enters west Point
| he has impressed upon his heart and con-
| science that God hates liar
| deem this the best foundation for the
Young cadet to build upon. for without
truth and integrity the professionally edu-
Gated soldier might become dangerous
citizen. whereas. with truth and honor in
stilled and cultivated in him, he becomes,
| in good faith. a consecrated child of the
republic. the best of citizens, carrying with
| him all other graces and accomplishments
| which should make the man an honor 10
| his country, as well As a terror TO Its foes.
1t was not until the Seminole war that
| West Point had the opportunity 70 show
| to the world their value as soliers- The
privations and sufferings endured, and the
| gallantry displayed by them, proved them
worthy sons OF their alma mater.
The next opportunity presenting itself
| to these educated soldiers WAS in the wa.
with our sister republic, Mexico. Gen.
Winfield Scott, who was not a graduate
Of this military institution, who com
manGed the American army from Vera
| Cruez 10 the capture OF the City Of Mexico,
SAYS in substance in his Official report o!
this war. That it would be inpcsss bic
| for him to overeStimate the tie valne 0!
the services of the officers, eleves OF the
West Point military academy, in this war.
That BY their many and varied military
ACCOMPLISHMENTS, gallantxy and devotion
TO duty they brought the VIZ 0Succesa