Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-12-30
WEST POINT ACADEMY.
tCol Charles W. Larned in Nationa
Magazine.)

1
The function Of the military academy
In our military educa tional system Is
now and must continue to be to educate
n limited number OF military students in
the basic principles OF general and mill
tary science, and in the general func-
lions and principals OF all branches Of
the art OF war, as body OF officers
specially qualified for subsequent devel-
cpment In he service and in its special
schools for field. staff and general COM
n,and. II Gi,es Its graduate unique
advantage over those Of foreign military
| schools In that they possess wide and
| fairly intimate knowledge. both theo-
| retical and practical. OF the duties and
technique II all arms OF the service.
which fits them for perfectinE them
selves in the special dutiss of each; and
| IL insures them a broad comprehension
| Of the war functions of every arm,
which knowledge IS of growing imNor-
lance with every increase in rank and
responsibility Any officer Is better
specialist. also, in his own branch who
has this extensive grounding In the prin-
ciples and duties of every trcnch of the
service white the administrative and
executive power which such an cNper-
fence gives to any army or corps conf
mander canrot be overestimated Be
| sides and above these merits there rises
| the eetimabla advantage to the army
| and nation c. school whose traditions
and system conserve high ideals of In
teerity. Of duty. Of discipline. Of respon-
sibility, Of patriotism. and which con-
serves a civic and military standard.
| These alone are worth all the institution
has cost. and thes are the fruit of pa
| tient endeavor, OF long experience, Of
a great tradition. To protect and nour-
ish these ideals II IL necessary that
West Point shall maintain It's individ-
,Iality and academic character. and that
II shall mover be confused with or cub
| ordinated to the special service schools.
The military academy is great nation
al institution. military In its genesis It's
methods. Its ideals; but it is an institu-
tion Of learning. not military post; II
IL an academy, not a school of practical
| application; and to subordinate its in
stitutional to it's military attributes
would he TO degrade It and paralyze It's
highest functions.
| No chronicle OF the uphuilding OF the
American nation IL complete that does
not tell the story Of West Point, its
genius and accomplishment; for from
the early dawn OF the 10th century the
men Of this school OF war and science
have been identified with every phase
Of national development. both civil and
militant. and prime movers In the multi
tarious activities which built and safe
guarded our social fabric They have
filled every important public office from
President Of the United states TO NUM-
cipal officials, including governors OF
States and mayors OF cities; and as
presidents, chancellors regents and pro-
fessors Of universities. colleges and
academies. they have exercised power
hIl influence upon education. In the In
dustr1al field they were the pioneer en-
Eineers OF our eastern and transcont'n-
entail railroads. and presidents and chief
engineers Of many completed systems
as civil engineers, LAWYERS, editors, au-
thors, elersyren. physicians and archi-
tects they have contributed prominently
TO science. arts, letters and ethics, as
bankers and bank presidents, manufac-
turers farmers and planters. they have
added more than their share TO the ma
tionsl wealth.
II will douhtleSS surprise most Ameri-
cans to learn that out OF the small total
Of ALL graduates Curing the first CEN
tWry Of the existence o: the military
academy. from fee to 1902 2.Nl entered
civil life a. soma period of their career
-~ss---