The Washington herald., 1910-07-10

tutions OF acknowledgements acade-
mics and common or high schools ex-
eepted-the best scholars and the clsversst
men do not put their best foot fore
most" as cadets are compelled 10 do In
fact. under the marking system. at the
national Institutions which is the basis
Of class standing, the grading secured
determines for the cadet an assignment
20 that arm OF the service which ne may
prefer, the chances for preferment being
commensurate with his rating under this
system.
In this connection an interesting case
may be presented-that or Patrick
O'Rorke, who was born in Ireland, his
parents both dying on the voyage 20 this
country Upon the arrival OF the ship
which brought O'Rorke TO our shores. he
was taken to an orphan asylum, where,
at the age Of twelve. his intelligence was
found to DO of such high order that edu-
cational advantages commensurate with
his ability were offered him with which he
was not slow TO ayail himself. AS long
ago. then. as the year 1851, he was APP
pointed a cadet to the Military Academy.
The writer had not at any time the good
fortune 10 be his roommate when in
barracks" but became his tentmats
during our second class camp"
Depends Solely ON Self.
This was at a period OF Presidential
campaign when the father OF one OF our
classmates C'John" ~ was then a
candidate for the high Office. A news
paper clipping was forwarded to
O'Rorke. in which his merits were APP
plauded. but rather more as a foil or in
q spirit OF detractiOn Of good odd john -
as we were wont 10 call him II was
here argued that a boy born Of immi-
grant parents reared in an orphan asylum
could attain under the impartial system
Of the Academy the highest honOrs OF his
class. and II was also shown that the son
or an influential citizen, a candidate for
the highest Office IN the land. with a
backing which should determine for him
some degree OF favoritism. was so near
the foot Of his class that he was In i'm
minent danger Of being found deficient"
In his studies or else dismissed for de-
merit at the then next ensuing semi-an-
uunual examination. Pats" permission
10 show the clipping 10 some OF the "fei-
lows" was asked but he instantly tore the
paper into small bits. and replied. THAT
would never do; II would hurt poor
Johns feelings" AS a further illustrs-
ton OF the instincts of this man. be was
heard 10 remark at another time, that
when he entered the Military Academy
ne felt some degree OF apprehension lest
he should be unequal TO the social re-
quirements of an army officer, lacking.
as he did. home training and influence.
Accordingly, he said. he had made 1t his
best endeavor. while at the Academy. TO
note the bearing OF men In the class who
were better favored by circumstances
than he had been. For reasons such as
these. Pat oRorke was beloved not
only by members OF his own class, but
by all others at the institution. He was
regarded by officers as well as by cadets,
as a model man. and when on one occa-
sion he was asked 10 draw lots with
another OF the class, less popular than
himself, for the highest honor. he declined
10 do so upon the ground that 'the lot
had already been determined in favor OF
his rival; the latter having held above
him IN the previous year" He was COM
Boards decision. and drew the lucky
straw, admidst the reJoicings OF the en-
tire corps OF cadets.
Fell at Gettysburg.
The junior class of 1861 had marked as
the future Commander OF the Army Of
the United States this man O'Rorke, who.
had he been spared, would probably have
justified the class provision. Shortly
after graduation. he was appointed colo
mel Of a volunteer regiment from the
State OF New York, and fell, MORALLY