Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-02-15
"0bey Orders and Keep
Your Mouth Shut. I"
Ringing Address to Graduates
Of Military Academy.
Cadet Edgerton Leads Glass;.
Cadet Cocktails Second.

plain words Of advice as 10 their fu-
ture duties-The advanta ges and hard
ships Of an army notwithstanding OF
War William II. Taft presented diplo-
mas 20 the 169 members OF the grad
IatinG class of the United States Mill
tary Academy. The secretary impress
cd upon the young men who were
commissioned as second lieutenants in
N" various branches Of the army that
the military service must ever be sub
that it is the soldiers duty - Keep
his mouth shut and obey orders"
In time of national danger he de-
clared. the soldier has his opportunity
10 achieve Il great degree of fame. bur
i'll the every day life Of army routine
there is much that seems tedious and
irhsomc. The address was entirely in
formal and as the young graduates in
their dapper uniforms Of gray stepped
To- the platform to receive their sheep
skin scrolls TIE secretary had Il per-
sonal word and a hearty handshake Cor
each.
Secretary Taft arrived from Detroit
shortly after J p. NJ. aud was met at
the. station by Col. Hugh l.. Scott.
superintendent Of the Academy. \
troop of negro cavalry, regularly sta
toned here. was drawn up at the depot
and served as an escort to Col. SCOTS
quarters where luncheon was served
\ salute Of Il guns was fired IN honor
OF the secretary, who after tho gradual
lion exercises made II thorough inspec-
ton OF the Academy buildings and
grounds. Secretary Taft remained over
night as the guest. of Col Scott. lie
will leave tomorrow for Hartford,
Conn, where he will deliver two ad-
dresses,
Cen. Franklin J. Bell. chief Of the
staff of the army was another promi-
neht visitor today and was received
with military honors
II would like TO preach you boys 4
Sermon declared Sec. Taft To the
graduates But | haven't much facii-
" in the pulpit. Ny text to You W ouid
be They also serve who only stand
and wait for that is what you have
got to do If you are not prepared to
follow out that text you will not make
good soldiers. You should clearly IN
derstand the limitations and duties Of
IN army career. Above all remember
that the government has given you an
education and that it expects and is
entitled to Your services. There some
times are exceptions which justify
designations, but generally speaking
you are under an implied obligation TO
serve your country as officers in tn"
army.
There are many advantages to the
career YOU have chosen. You are as
sured of a permanent income by simply
living and acting dccently. Your
salary as an officer will not make YOU
Oplllent to be sure, but it Will enable
you to live in reasonable comfort, to
marry, to raise n family of children
and educate them. 1t will not enable
You to give your children what would
spoil them. The man who begins life
with good education and Il good
home training has an advantage over
every other man. Nothing 50 induces
to that mediocracy and lack Of effort
rs to be provided with the means CT
living at the age of -
AS 4 second advantage YOU are as
Sured of a career in which your duty
is plain. Ordinarily you must conduct
yourself in SIhOrdnation to the civil
authorities. The plaineSt of your duties
is Ia keep Your mouth shut and obey
orders As n soldier YOU must forego
the privilege of free speech. But on
the other hand you have what few
others enjoy, the esprit of being q
graduate Of West Point. The traditions"
of this old institution are Immensely
valuable to you. Temptations will
come tn confront you. but there always
will he the restraint OF being 4 West
Point man and a determination to die
rather than sacrifice the good opinion
OF the fellows who graduate with You.
hope YOU don't think you haT"
completed your military education. II
mas scarcely begun. The United
States army establishment with its
many schools for officers and its post
graduate courses is to all intents and
purposes great university. When Of
iicers have completed these courses
they are as well educated and as well
trained as any in the world.
The only trouble is we haven't enough
officers. If We could only convince Con-
Fress Of the real necessity of it | have
= Continued on Page Five)