The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-06-12

Hardee and Early won their spurs on Mexican soil These achievements nx- ed forever the fame of this aead- emy. and SO established it 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 CTS on both sides.
 President Madison, in his annual message 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 oh. jects of the institution
 This characterization upon it's dis cipiine and training. eighty-sevep years ago. has remained through to this very day. The academy estah- lished in 1909. has graduated i,742 ca dets We are familiar with the names of its military heroes. Over half its graduates entered civil life. It has given to our country: One president of the United States; three Presidential candidates: two Vice Presidential can. didates: one Ambassador; four minis ters pienipotentiary; twenty-seven members of the United States Senate and House; eight Presidential elect. ors: sixteen Governors of States and Territories; one bishop; fourteen judges: seventeen Mayors of cities: forty-s presidents and fourteen re- gents and chanceIlors of colleges and universities: fourteen chief engineers of States; eighty seven presidents of railroads and corporations: sfxty-three chief engineers of railroads and public works. eight bank president: two hun- dred attorneys and counsellors at law: twenty clergymen; fourteen physicians; twelve merchants; seventy-seven man ufacturers; thirty editors and one hun- dred and seventy-nine authors, besides artists, architects farmers, planters and many others belonging to useful trades and professions.
 "In addition it claims one among the few American delegates to the first Hague Conference: one upon the arbi- tration conference that settled the promising little misunderstanding be- tween England and Russia; two out of seven to the recent Hague Conference Three of its alumni are in charge of the greatest engineering work of his tory--the Panama Canal: and one Is re- orea.nizing the police force of the sec- ond city of the world.
 Prestige to Sustain.
 .sThus all of you. those who continue in the service and those who may en- ter upon civil careers, have a great prestige to sustain. West Pointers have so generally maintained the standard of honor, obedience to law, love of liberty and fidelity to duty. prima facie evidence that it's bearer is all that is implied in its highest sense in the fine old term, gentleman.
 "You have passed through the rig orous discipline and high curriculum that entities you to admission into that fine company" said MT. Dickinson. in conclusion.
 ..Believing that you will prove your. self worthy of such noble Fellowship and that in peace and war you will justify the confidence and expectations of your friends and countrymen, it is not merely exercising the prerogative of the office which hold. but with a profound sense of honor the occasion affords me. that present to you your diplomas"
 General Porter, who graduated from West Point in 1860. spoke briefly in glowing terms of the efficiency of the American army and navy, and Of Amer ican possessions abroad.
 There were 193 members in the grad uatinE class, including two Chinese, Wen and Chen. and a Hawaiian.
 Originally the class numbered l6S but many were dropped for deficiency. In presenting a diploma to Stuart c, Godfrey, of Milford Mass. who has had the place at the head of the class since he entered four years ago, Sec retary Dickinson offered his congratu- lations. When the name of c. V. Wilkes, of Utah. was called. General Marshall, Chief of Engineers, asked and was given permission to deliver the diploma n41
 Wen, the Chinese, was No. sz in his class, while Chen was No. 1o3. The Hawaiian Is A K. B. Lyman. who is No Is, and will get a place in the en- gineering branch of the service.
 When Wen's name was called there was loud cheering and Chen was even more heartily applauded.
 After partaking of dinner, the grad uating and furlough classes went to New York, where the class banquet will be held at the Hotel Astor.