The record-union., 1893-01-06
CHANGES 1T VEST POINT.
A Priceless Possession for the Ma
tons Security.
Graduates Come Out ms Bright and
Polished as Their Own Buttons
1SO2-1S93.

The worthy men who directed the
affairs of the Republic in the first years
of It's existence must have been guided by
the hand of a providential fate when they
selected a site for a National Military
Academy-it could not have been alto
gether foresight of theirs. They knew
only that they had recently emerged
from tedious war for independence, and
that weak, struggling nation was more
likely to become embroiled than another.
Thus they perceived the necessity for
trained soldiers. and perhaps. they acted
the more readily in the matter since
some of them were gentlemen with a de-
cided taste for fighting.
We have it on good authority that
Washington himself put his finger on
West Point when considering the tO-be-
established Military Academy and said:
This is the place" Washington's judg-
ment may not have been final, but it was
powerfully influential. Others concurred,
and when, after Washington's death, the
school became an accomplished fact
West Point was the spot of its location.
1t was an excellent choice. The asso-
! Citations were such as to make it forcing
house for patriOtism-a quality no ma
!
the years have shown in a surprising
way the improvement the place itself was
capable OF, and the high degree OF devel-
opment to which the Military Academy
itself may aspire.
This country has had Military Acad-
emy now these ninety years. In 1902, we
may believe, it was not much OF q school,
even according to the standards of that
day. In its beginning it had but hand
full of students, who did about as thev
pleased, and graduated at uncertain inter
Vaks, but who went out and fought the
wars Of the Republic with patriotic Wig
or that will be becoming in graduate of
1898. The academy turns out a finished
article now; there has been some advance
| in educational matters since the century
was born, and the Military Academy has
kept pace with the advance along its own
particular lines.
Still, the Military Academy was haz-
ardous experiment till 1917, when General
Sylvanus 'rhayer became its Superintend-
ent. He had graduated from Dartmouth
in 1907, and from the Military Academy
in the following year. This is feat that
could not even be attempted at the pres
ent day. He continued as Superintendent
until 1888. He is known now as the
! Father of the Military Academy" and
/ that appellatiOn is cut on the monument
raised to him at West Point. His labors
have been summed in these words:
!
I'm the sixteen years OF his devoted ad-
mInistration the Military Academy grew
from a badly conducted rudimentary
school to pre-eminent seminary of sci
cence, an enduring monument of his
fame, fostering mother to the whole
army, the cynosure of all educational in
stitutions throughout the land, and
priceless possession for the nations Sc
curity and glory"
To-day the oldest living graduate comes
toJtering back to these scenes Of his salad
days, looks wonderingly about, and
shakes his head. There is scarcely
feature that is familiar to him. He sees
the cadets wearing essentially the same
uniform as in his day, and may allow
| himself to think how much they resem-
BILE certain remembered ones of his own
class-the springy step, erect carriage,
strengthened voice, air Of military pre-
clsion; but there it ends, except as he uu-
willingly tells himself that those bows he
knew and loved have fought the fight,
run the race, and conquered through vic
toriouS death. That's all. These are not
the same boys, but their successors in the
inheritance. And there is nothing un-
changed about the place save the alI-per-
vading sentiment of devotion to country
and the rush of the river from the north.
Ali else is new.
1t is matter for national congratula-
ton that this is so. Conservative as West
Point is-and conservatism hath there
sure abiding place-there has been
progress and improvement along every
| line. This never was more noticeable
| than now. Old things have passed away.
| The idols of antiquity have been destroy
ed to the last vestige. Certain landmarks
and buildings, cherished of old, are be-
come memory. And in their places
rise modern buildings, in whose con-
| struction comfort and convenience have
been considered, and within whose
walls all the material for the educa-
cation of the modern soldier may
! be found. For the military art has
made great strides since 1902. 1t is no
longer the sole requirement OF the officer
that he shall fight we'll; now he must pos
sess university education, and in addi-
ton ride well, walk well, dance well,
and possess a complete equipment for
/ social as well as warlike victories. The
cadet of to-day is not allowed to neglect
his opportunities, if he does that he is
found deficient, and at once dismissed
So the annual graduate can hardly escape
| being as polished as one of his own but
tons.-George l. Putnam in Harper's
Weekly.
fTsIG md