The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-02-16
WEST POINT CADETS
BY FREDERIC J. HASKIM
BY FREDERIC ]. HASKIM.

Last Friday the first class of cadets
was graduated from the United States
Military Academy at West Point, a
| full three months ahead of the usual
time for graduation. This was done
to answer the call for more officers IN the
/ field. On account of vacancies in the
grade Of second lieutenant in the army,
these newly graduated men will not have
to wait for duty. but will find that oppor-
tunities for distinction are ready for them
all. The number Of graduates which is to
be determined by the final examination
will make the total Of graduates from this
great institution since its foundation in
1902 nearly 5000. Included in this number
are the names OF many Of the most dis
tinguished men Of modern times.
West Point graduates have hOnored
every sphere Of hur1an endeavor 70 which
they have devoted themselves While the
/ larger proportion Of them have remained
ia the calling for which they were origi-
nally trained, the number OF those who
have turned TO other pursuits is cOnsid-
cradle. and a remarkably high percentage
has been eminently useful in civil puT-
suits. Particularly have they been Of no.
table service in the cause OF higher edu-
cation. Drawn from every part Of the
Union they have benefited every part OF
the Union by their accomplishments,
their learning. their zeal, their fidelity 10
duty, and their high character. To be a
West Point graduate is a mark Of IN
usual distinction for any American. His
alma mater is recognized as one Of the
foremost educational institutions of the
world. and his diploma is a certificate OF
honor worthy to be cherished.
The graduates Of West Point have been
the master martial spirits of four great
wars. More than century have they led
the westward march Of civilization, clear
Ing the way for the foundation Of States,
and cleaning the vast domain OF a conti-
Eent for the building Of a grand republic,
faithful always to duty, and giving their
lives 10 maintenance Of the Union. Those
who have remained ian the army have
made every branch Of the service honor
able by their integrity and Respondent
with their genius The best-equipped piO-
neers of civilization, they have surveyed
its future and marked out its boundaries.
improved the navigation Of its rivers and
harbOrs, applying a skill and degree Of
practical learning which have been Of in
calculable value 20 the commercial ad-
vsncement Of the country. West Point
graduates have been the foremost in
stTuctoTs Of the exact sciences in schools
in almost every State: they have been
builders OF great railway systems. manu-
faclurers and inventors, and have done
more than any other class Of alumni Of
our colleges and universities 30 elevate
the standard OF scientific attainment in
America.
To have a national military academy
was one Of the dearest aims OF President
Washington, anu what he said 20 arouse
interest in the contamination was ap-
proved by nearly all Of his associates
In the founding OF the republic. In his
last annual message he remarked: What
ever arguments may be drawn from par
ticular examples specifically viewed.
thorough examination OF the subject will
evince that the art Of war is both com
pTehensive and complicated; that Il de-
msnds much previous study, and that the
possession Of it in its most improved and
perfect state Is always Of great moment
10 the security OF the nation
West Point had its beginning in Wash
ington's administration in the designation
of a limited number Of young officers Of
artillery and engineer branches Of the
army for special instruction; but It was
not until Jefferson's administration that
the academy was actually founded in 1902.
From that year until 1918, graduates were
given their diplomas without class rank.
Since the graduation of the class Of 1878.
the member Of every one of ninety classes
has been ranked according to his pro
hciency as a student and a soldier.
West Point was too young an institution
20 have affected the fortunes Of the war
of 1Sl2 in the same way that its graduates
have turned the tide OF campaigns in
other wars in which the United States
was involved. When the war with Mexico
was fought. West Point was fairly we'll
established and its instructors were
among the best of all countries. How
well the graduates served their country
was told by Gen. Winfield Scott. who said
that but for them the war would have
lasted four or five years, beginning with
reverses. whereas by their skill and dar-
ing great country had been conquered
without the loss Of single battle or
skirmish.
. e
But the genius OF the West Point
graduate and the matchless worth of his
training at the Military Academy were
best illustrated IN the great civil war.
over thousand graduates served the
two sides. about one-third being on the
Confederate side. OF the graduates on
the Union side enc rose to the grade of
Lieutenant general, especially created for
him, six 20 be major generals, eleven TO
be brigadier generals in The regular army.
and IL to be brigadier generals of volun-
teers. The Confederate military establish
ment from President jefferson Davis.
through the most distinguished officers OF
the rank of general, were graduates of
West Point.
The two titans Of the great conflict
Ulysses :. Grant ana Robert T. Lee
were graduates OF West Point. As long
as the art of war is studied there will
be afforded no narrative of fighting and
strategy Of more absorbing and striking
interest than the continuous battle fought
IN Virginia for more than eleven months
between these two great American chief
tains- While there were not a few gem
eral officers who by bravery and merit
rose from the ranks of the volunteers 10
DO brilliant service for the cause they
aspoused. it was mainly upon splendid |
captains supplied from West Point |
graduates under them that both Grant /
and Lee depended for the organization. |
he morale, and the cohesive effective !
ness of their soldiers in strateeem and |
struggle.
With Grant for the Union were Nc |
tlelian, Sherman, Sheridan. Burnside. |
8ueA. Pope ROseCTans. Porter, Hancock. /
Hooker, Meade, Gibbon, SedgewicI. Nc /
oherson, Thomas. Sykes, Hunt, Warren.
5locm, Stanley. Granger McCook. and /
scores Of other famous graduates of West /