The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-04-28

which remain even to this day. Especially
is this true as to his proficiency as a stu
dent He has been referred to as standing
very low in his classes, and a story has
often been repeated that while a cadet,
General Grant expressed great delight at
the introduction of a bill in congress to
abolish the military academy, giving as his
reason that the passage of the bill would
enable him to get out of the academy non
oraby, whereas, without 1t, he would GER
tainly be dismissed. All these impressions
are utterly without foundation.
Grants Standing at West Point
In General Grants class ninety-one
cadets were appointed. Nine were turned
back from other classes, making 100.
1.-THE first year he stood sixteenth in
mathematics; the second year he had risen
to tenth in that scientific branch; the third
year he stood fifteenth in philosophy,
twenty-sccond in chemistry and nineteenth
In drawing, and his last year, when a first
class man. he stood sixteenth in military
and civil engineering, and seventeenth in
mineraiogy and geology This was well up
to the average standard of the distinguish
ed generals who became prominent both in
the federal and confederate armies. This
shows how thoroughly untrue are state
ments to the effect that he was in danger
of being dismissed from the academy fer
deficiency in his studies.
ut is not well for the young men of the
country to DO taught that men rise to the
great heights attained by General Grant
without study and education 1t cultivates
an idea which should be discouraged. I do
not wish to be understood that high class
standing Is either essential or that 1t is
all that is required to make a good COM
mander; the contrary Is true.
General Francis A. Walker, in a speech
delivered In Boston July 9, 1891, in speaking
of the display of intellect and character by
graduates of the military academy, used
these words:
- = 1 said of intellect and charac-
ter: for it is character even more than in
tellect which enables the commander to
bear the tremendous care, responsibilities
and burdens of his Office"
In closing his remarks General Wheeler
painted the personal character of General
Grant, whom he spoke of as loyal to God,
to country, to friends, to all his undertake
ings." His determination was unconquer-
able, his spirit congeniai towards those
whom he trusted. Two names said Gen.
eral Wheeler, would go down to ages yet to
come side by side Grant. the leader mag
unanimous in victory; Lee, than whom no
greater ever survived defeat" Grant de-
served his renown In each of his characters
as patriot, warrior and statesman" His
family life was one of devotion, tenderness
| and love, his great desire and end after
| Appomatox was a reunited nation.
| General Wheeler concluded by recalling
Grants remarkable prophecy.
"At some future day, the nations of the
| earth will agree upon some sort of congress
which shall take oognizance of interna-
| tional questions of difficulty and whose
| decisions will be as binding as the decision
| of the supreme court is upon U.S."
| whether this be prophecy" General
Wheeler said, "at least it shows that his
finger was on the pulse of the age"
| Rear Admiral Schiey
Rear Admiral schley. replying to "Our
Navy" said:
| Mr.. President and Gentlemen of the
American Club: This beautiful city is
closely connected with our navy, as it is
| here that so much of the material of our
| new ships is produced. 1t Is no wonder
| that such general interest is felt by your
| people, and that such widespread informa-
| ton is met here in matters that relate to
| our navy. .,-.5.zs .s-ae-+
Fresh as we are from war whose Won
derful results have been achieved through
the instrumentalities originating about you
/ can understand the desire of the good
people of Pittsburg to know something
of the persons who helped to bring about
the result in which so many of our skilled
| artisans have had their share. .4
1.-THE war history of our navy Is familiar
i to you all and no words I could add of It's
4 dash and daring in the recent struggle
4 would seem necessary; the names of 1t:
great captains will live imperishably in thu
| dHecI1On- OF our peOple LOT WuOA lHSl
| wrought and fought
Names which VIII Live Always
/ 1.-THE names of Jones and Somers and De
| catur and Hull of Stewart and Perry ;int
| McDonough and Farragut and Foot, o.
| Porter and Cushing and Bagey and Dewey
| will last always and with increasing ad
| miration; long after the living implements
| which gave their lives expression shall have
fallen away into dust; their thrilling heroit
oft -x.,ill lxxyau wi inRro1
heart beats and with reverential admlra
ira for their devotion to the cause of tn
| republic.
1.-THE legacy of their work means wide
scope to the duties of citizens and thu
honor of their glory gives deeper inspira
ton to that patriotic devotion to name an'
to kindred which begets that note of con
fdence underlying the solid structure o
/ this blessed republic of ours. Over and be
yond all else in their lives was the conse
Grafton to duty in their country's service
that sets it's triumphs and its glory beyou'
all risks or exposure to themselves an'
thrilled their hearts and nerved them fo
the battle
1.-THE war through which the nation hat
Just passed has shown her sons have beef
faithful to their inherited traditions an.
that the safety and welfare of our peopl
are secure in their keeping.
May the Peace Be Perpetual
"Let us hope that the peace it accom-
plished may be lasting and that the tw
nations may under good providence marcl
forward in undisturbed amity and friend
ship in the future.
81 do not recall in history that nation
ever before declared war upon another ant
the day following blockaded the enemy''
ports. Such was the condition of readiness
in our navy that this was possible In thu
late war, and the lesson it impresses ough
not to be forgotten that it was to be short
sharp and decisive; it can only be made 81
by preparation in times of peace so tina
when it must be undertaken. it can onl!
end with honor and dignity to thu
nation.
1T rejoice with you all in the prestig
that has come to our country through tn
valiant deeds of her sons and now / voic
the sentiments of every one when l ex
press the hope that peace and happines
will abide always with our blessed coun
try"
l. The other speaker were Colonel Alex X
Mcclure, on Patriotism General W. H
Hulings on "Our Navy" and Henry Wat
terson, who spoke impromptu