The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-06-12
ELKlNS To WEST-POiNTERS.
Tie Secretary OF War Gives Goo. Advice to
tie era uating Class.

WEST PoINr. n. Y, June 1.-THE grad
uation exercises at the Military Academy
took place to-day. Congressman Joseph
III. Cultivate, of Ohio, delivered the first
address before the students in Armory
Hall. General Angus. president OF the
board OF visitors, also spoke.
Secretary of War Elkins addressed the
graduating class as follows: lyon are
soon to be officers of the army of :he United
States. The army is n delicate machine;
TO make it what il is to-day We have drawn
on the military usages and science of war
of all nations. 1t needs TO be well under
stood TO be managed il whole or in part.
Change Is not reform, and any reform at
tempted in the army should be long and
carefully considered. In the march of
ages and the progress of development
in civilization the world Gots ready Tor re-
suits. and these are only reached in their
order. Each age can only attain tho re-
suits that tall To ii. Civilization has not
travelled far enough away from barbarian 10
90 forward without using fOrce-sometImos
even to preserve its own existence IL seems
that il is still necessary, rcyOlting AS it
may be, for nations TO study the best
means of taking human life on largo scale
III the shortest time. 1t must be borne In
never initiates war. Civil power brings on
Wat; the military ends IL and through
blood brings peace. When civil power 10
PROSTATE, when there is 10 help for society,
governments appeal to force ana hnds It. In
best and most efficient form, in organized
armies. In choosing the profession of
arms YOU became a part of that mac hinery
countries make use OF TO keep the peace of
society, protect the honor OF nations and
defend territorial rights. The undertake
ing, ut best, Is serious from any stand point.
You engage not only 10 assist In nnding
ont the best means of taking life. but: In
certain conditions, not only TO take but
even 10 give np your own.
In entering the army You turn your
back on the chances and opportunities
civil life offers to win a great Iortune; but
you at once secure for Yourself an indie
pendence and high social position, with
relief from the uncertainties, anXieties ard
doubts that too often follow business
career. While yOu cannot hope TO become
ml!llOnaires III your profession, You have
taken bond of fate against ever teing
dependent. In the great Republic il is
hOped and believed We are making sub
stantial progress towards permanent peace,
but this Is not assured.
Apart from foreign war the army prom
ises by It's mere presence to DO one OF the
guarantees OF peace and order through
out the Nation. You may he called
upon to bear the flag of our country
and do duty within the tropics and
predecessors The dag floats over terri
tory of the United Statos further west of
San Francisco than San Francisco 10 west or
New York, and further north of San Fran
cisco than San Francisco is from Florida.
The control OF the waterway across the
lsthmus that is soon to unite two great
oceans, and open up now and shorter
highway for the commerce between the
coasts of America and Europe and the far
East, holds within 1t unsettled questions.
little.
I'VE learn only through tho severe school
OF experiences; but after a know ledg OF the
army, covering more than thirty years on
the frontier. venture the suggestion that
may, if lived up TO, save YOU trouble. Live
within your means under all circumstances;
do not borrow money; do not pledge your
pay accOunts;dO not gamble. Living hey ond
their means is largely the cause of most OF
the trouble that comes to officers
of the army. Remember always IN our
system Of government il is wisely ranged
that the military shall be subordinate to
the civil power. The army Is but the
breath of the civil power. and exists only
for It's protection. Its uses aud purposes
Character 10 the only thing in life that
abides. Keep In mind that IL Is the best
product of a successful life. Ruild charac-
ter In yourself and help bni' IL in othors.
That civilization is the best and hi highest. on
the whole. that gives to the world the best
character. Mere success and advancement
count for but little in these and the on
coming times unless 1t is foun ded on hon.
Orable motive and high character The
s,mplest and Diainest things in life are
often the most difficult To accomplish. 10
be uniformly fair, just and true requires
more courage. more Judgment ana more
sclf-control than winning great battles"
General Schotield ncxt addressed the
class, after which Secretary Elkins pre-
sented the sixty two al plomas to the grad
yates, thus closing the exercises.