Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-06-15
WEST POINT HEARS
SECRETARY OF WAR
Brilliant Address by Secretary
Dickinson is Feature of Com
mencement Day Exercises at
Military Academy on Hudson.

WEST POINT, N. Y, June 11.-Com-
mencement exercises were held at the
United States Military academy today.
In bright sunshine, which broke through
the clouds Just before the final exercises
of the week were to begin, the cadet
corps their instructors and the throng
of visitors present, gathered in Memorial
hall for the graduation exercises proper.
Secretary of War Dickinson, who, act
ing in his official capacity, presented the
members Of the graduating class with
their diplomas and addressed them, was
the guest in chief of the day. The exer-
cises were attended by throng which
included many distinguished West Point
alumni, members of the Association of
Graduates. General Horace Porter deliv-
cred an address and other we'll known
war veterans and military officials were
present.
Secretary Dickinson, in presenting the
diplomas to the members of the class of
1909 reviewed the achievements of the
military academy and commended its ira
ditions to preservation by the graduates.
SECRETARY OF WAR SPEAKS.
To-day the eyes of all our people are
turned to you with profound interest,
hope and confidence" said Mr.. Dickinson.
"for they are investing you with a sa-
cred trust-that of maintaining the glory
of an institution which has greatly en-
riched the civil life of the nation and has
always been it's chief bulwark in time
of war.
Whatever distruct on account of mill
tary establishments may have existed, OF
yet exists in the minds of some Of our
citizens, West Point Is secure in the over
whelming general confidence of our people
and will have their continued support for
the fullfilment of it's great purpose as
designed by Washington, who advocated
it's establishment as an object of primary
Importance and that it should be per
manent.'
with peace comes a sense of security,
oblivion of past reverses and indisposition
to bear the burdens which alone, until
nations have given bonds for good be-
havior, can secure honorable peace. JEFF
ferson saw this apathy affect this insti-
tuition. and in 1908 urged upon congress
q larger establishment The constitution
atty of the institution was in contention
in 1910, and in congress efforts were
made to abolish it and discharge the ca
diets from service. Our people forgot
what the war of the revolution had
taught and were to learn with shame
another and a bitter lesson in the school
of national humiliation.
THE WAR OF 1872.
est and sustenance, languished and for
time did not fulfill its high destiny The
war Of 1872 came There were then in
the service but sixty-five graduates of the
military academy. Disaster followed dis
aster and our national capital was in the
possession of a foreign soldiery.
This experience was enough to last
until wars and rumors of war shall be
no more. 1t made a new era In the his
Fr7-x s.f tAa WThnr1 MANinan
war came, 4 had in the service over 500
graduates and almost an equal number in
civil life. 1 need not rehearse the bril-
liancy of their achievements. General
Scott said:
81 give it as my fixed opinion that but
for our graduated cadets the war between
the United States and Mexico might, and
probably would have lasted four or five
years, within it's first half more deaths
than victories falling to our share;
whereas in less than two campaigns we
conquered a great country and secured
peace, without loss of a single battle or
skirmish'
1T was the training school of most of
those who rose to great fame as COM
manders in the civil war. Lee, Grant.
Bragg, Jackson, Davis, johnson, Hardee
and Early won their spurs on Mexican
soil.
FAME FIXED FOREVER.
These achievements fixed forever the
fame of this academy, and so established
1t in the confidence of the people as to
secure that support which manifested
such brilliant results in the war between
the states. All the great battles of that
way were commanded by West Pointers on
both sides.
President Madison in his annual mes
sage in 1922, said of the academy:
Good order Is preserved in 1t, and
the youth is we'll instructed in every
science connected with the great objects
of the institution
This characterization upon it's disci-
pine and training 81 years ago has re-
manned through to this very day. The
academy established in 1902, has graduated
4742 cadets. We are familiar with the
names of it's mIDIary heroes. Over half
its graduates entered civil life.
GIFTS TO THE COUNTRY.
'It has given to our country:
lone president of the United States.
-Cne president of the Confederate
states.
Three presidential candidates.
Two vice presidential candidates.
! lone ambassador.
-Four ministers plenipotentiary.
''Twenty-seven members of the United
States senate and house.
Eight presidential electors
Sixteen governors of states and terri
tories,
lone bishop.
Fourteen judges.
Seventeen mayors of cities
''Forty-six presidents and fourteen re-