The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-06-14
THE GaEATEsF MILITARY SCHOOL

the military school of the country. its best and strongest tribute. In all the history of the institution. and it might be said that West Pointis the most fa- nous military school that the world has known. its fine story and its proud accomplishments were never more forcefuiiy advanced than in the speech of Secretary of War Dickinson. Mis. sissippian who bore arms against the Federal Government.
 There was nothing fulsome or<laud- story in the address. which should be hung up In every army post of the country. but 1t was all the more effec- tive that 1t was short. written with thorough understanding of the va rious phases of our national life, deep Knowledge of our history and an able advancement of the reasons for which the country should be proud of the in- stitution and it's graduates should ever hold 1t high in honor.
 Secretary Dickinson does well to re- mind the country of an unfortunate pe- riod in the history of the United States, that immediately preceding the war of 1872 with England. Beginning with the eighteenth century . sentiment. foolish but apparently patriotic. caught the country. It was day when ora tory passed for patriotism, and unfor- tunately we have not entirely grown away from that evil today. But it was deemed patriotic to say that the country needed no army and no trained officers. It sounded we'll to say that a free man of America could whip ten hirelings of the effete monarchicaI countries of Europe. It sounded we'll and perhaps plausible to say that the men within the country who enjoyed the blessing of liberty could guard it from any foe from without. It sound- ed plausible to say that a standing army would be a menace to American liberty. for some ambitious Cataline might arise who would use it to over throw the United States and make himself dictator.
 IL was great day for denouncing England, for highnown toasts, for fer vid oratory and senseiesa praise Of ev- erything American and senseiess de- nunciation of everything that was not American.
 The war clouds broke in 1872. The military academy was all but closed with the few students it had. There were practically no trained oficers. The men were willing to fight any where. on any field. but there were no skilled and educated men to lead them. The truth has to be recognized: the in- evitabie happened. The English won victory after victory. until they had captured and burned the Capitol at Washington, while the President was a fugitive from the white House. That the war did not end more disastrous ly than 1t did. was due more to cir. cumstances and to the good fortune of the United States than to the effieien- cy of it's fighting force. Andrew Jack- son. by his splendid victory ct Nswso Or leans. achieved after peace had been declared. however. restored the credit and honor which Amrican arms had lost on land in the earlier days of the war.
 But the country had learned its les- son. The military school from that day to this has not been neglected. The country learned in 1sl2 that c stump speech was poor defense when q hostile army was on the march.
 The record that the graduates of the institution made in the Mexican War as Secretary Dickinson points out was splendid. Tn the American Army for the number of men engaged there were perhaps Q larger number of train ed officers to the number of men en- gagged than ever before or since. This may or may not be responsible for the fact that in modern times the record for successes achieved, made by the American Army in the War with Mex leo, has never been approached.
 The early success of the Southern forces in the great war between the States against overwhelming odds may possibly be ascribed to the superiority of the leaders of the Confederate forces. With the magnificent lead ership for which tine Confederate Arr my was noted. and with the dash and individual bravery for which the mem- bers of the army were famed there was but one way for them to be de- fented. Grant realized this fact and used the only means to win success when he never gave battle until his force overwhelmed the ConfederateR with greater numbers.
 Any patriotic citizen may feel proud of the fact that West Point is today regarded as the greatest military school in the world.
 THE QUESTION OF CROssTIEs.