The Savannah morning news., 1902-06-10
A PROUD CENTURY
WEST POINT CELEBRATES ITS
CENTENNIAL.
OLD GRADUATES PRESENT.
GEN. e. p. ALEXANDER SPOKE FOR
CLASS OF 1857.

NJ. SchOneId Told of the History
and Growth of the Academy. while
Col. Il. j. McCIernnnd Discussed
the Spanish-Americnn War and
the Battle OF San Juan.
West Point, N Y, June 9.-The CEN
tennial anniversary exercises of the es-
tablishment of the United States Mil
itary Academy began to-day and will
continue until Thursday, when the
present first class of cadets, tifty-four
members. will be graduated.
Lieut. Gen. Nelson A. Miles arrived
to-day and was honored with salute.
In the afternoon the graduates assem-
bled in Thayer Hall, where Gen. John
M. Schofield of the class of 1913, presi-
dent of the association of graduates,
delivered an address.
Gen. SchOfeld's Address.
Gen. Schofield said in part:
During the entire colonial period of
this country, during the war of indie
pendence. and even the subsequent
war with Great Britain, the military
forces of the country were mostly I'M
trained, undisciplned militia, until the
latter period of the revolution. when
Washington succeeded, after great eff
fort, in organizing and disciplining the
troops of the Continental Line
Immediately after the war, in the
discussions of the question of a peace
establishment for the country, great
prominence was given to a military
academy as an essential part of such
establishment. But the condition of
the country for the next few years. I'M
der the old Articles of the Federal ton,
was not favorable to the consideration
of any such subject. The vital ques-
ton of the continued existence of the
states as a nation and the adoption of
an effective constitution superseded all
minor questions. But in 1898,
four years after the organiza-
ton of the government under
the present constitution, Washing
ton as President instituted measures
looking to the establishment of a mil
itary academy This resulted in the
Act of Congress of May 8, 1874. which
provided for a. corps of artillerists and
engineers of four companies, each
company to have two cadets, etc. Sew
eral subsequent acts authorized the
appointment of cadets In limited mum.
bers, and provided for their instruc-
ton; and finally the Act of March 16
1902, which authorized the organiza-
ton of a separate corps of engineers
provided that the said corps, when so
organized should be stationed at West
Point and should constitute a military
academy. This was the germ planted
at West Point one hundred years ago.
from which grew in time a great mill
tary institution.
But the development and growth
of the institution were slow indeed.
Nearly everything necessary to its
healthy existence was wanting, and
many years were spent in numerous
efforts, through inadequate legislation
and other expedients, to supply mani
fest deficiencies. At length, in 1872
Congress passed an act providing a
full corps of professors and instruct
ors for the academy and establishing
the institution on a broad and solid
basis so far as could be done by law
But it still remained to impart life
and health and strength and vigor.
The genius to do this was found in
1917. Then Mai Sylvanus Thayer was
assigned to duty as superintendent OF
the academy.
Maj. Thayer has been not unjustly
called the father of the military acad-
envy. He was even more than that. He
took the academy after it's youth had
been we'll nigh wasted, and, by appro-
pirate discipline, training and culture
developed one of the foremost institu-
tons of learning in the world
The West Point Standard.
"Our beloved Academy has always
set before it's students the highest
standards of manly character. Verac-
ity, honesty, honor. fidelity and patriot
ism, no less than scholarly excellence
he'll
part of all who would win the diplo-
ma. With exceedingly rare exceptions
the roll of graduates is one long roll OF
honor, of men who. in every walk OF
life, have been distinguished for mer-
itorious services to the country, and
especially for honorab BILE conduct among
their fellow men. Very many have
gained distinction as military leaders
and some have received the applause OF
the world as mastery commanders OF
great armies. These latter, most noble
sons of the Academy, during all the
vicissitudes of war, whether in victory
or in defeat, have maintained toward
each other and toward the people of the
country that honorable, chivalrous and
Christian conduct which most adorns
the noble institution where they learned
the art of war"
At the conclusion of Gen. Schofield's
address the band played "Tenting on
the Old Camp Ground" after which
Gen. Thomas ]. Wood of the class OF
1s45, a veteran of the Mexican war
delivered an address in which he al
luded to incidents of that memorable
period. Gen. Wood was greeted with
continued applause after he had fin
ished and the band struck up Benny
Havens." Then followed addresses by
Gen. T. II. Kruger, class of 1854
Union) and Gen. E. Porter Alexander
class OF 1857 (Confederate). After the
address of Gen. Ruger the band played
Rally Round the Flag" and Dixie, q
after that of Gen. Alexander. The next
speaker was Col. f. ]. McClernand OF
the Gloss of 1870. veteran Of the Span
ish-American war.
Col. McCIerna2id's Address.
Col. E. ]. McClernand spoke as a
veteran of the Spanish American war.
Referring 10 the unprepared condition
Of the departments at the beginning OF
the war. he said:
ITO permit a country to drift into
war in such a way is a crime What
are the facts as regards needed sup
plies? Even the most mportant-rifies,
ammunition and ocean transportation
were lacking. On March Q. Congress
appropriated $50 700, 900 for National
Defense Observe this was for de-
Tense. II was decided the War Depart.
mept could rot purchase or even con-
tract for any material outside Of thar
for National Defense Thus no ne.
crfnulaflon Of material was permiRsi-
bic for fhat army OF volunteers. upon
which Congress and the people have