Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-05-31
June S. and for West

June 5. and for West Point week later
From the moment the Mexican wal
cloud rose these young officers have been
fretting against the bonds that bound
them. chatting to get out of their school
rooms and into active service. thlrstlnS
to show the stamina within them. to give
evidence of what their training has done
for them, lusting to fight for their coun-
try.
Young blood is hot. the youthful spirit
strong and ever the Youths of an army
have done heroic deeds and made SPLEEN
did records The boys of the revolution
were valiant fighters. unframed. undisci-
pinned and inexperienced as they were.
II was the boys again. who fought the
most relentlessly in the war of 1872. when
already a number of them had been
trained as officers at West Point which
was established a decade before that
struggle began.
-. war the youths. both
sea and on land, were brave and valor-
Gus and the names of many lads who
wore the blue and gray are written high
on the roll of fame. Gen. Scott said
Of the work of the West Pointers in the
Mexican war:
II give it as my fixed opinion that but
for the cadets the war between the
United States and Mexico might-proba-
bly, would-have lasted some four or five
years, with. in its first half, more defeats
than victories falling to our share
Whereas in less than two campaigns we
conquered great country and peace
without the loss of a single battle or
.;kfrmish.''
In our war with Mexico both cadets
and midshipmen made gallant records
and there are still living officers who took
part in that sharp. quick and successful
went directly frsn The Military Academy
to the front in AeHtoo. where he served
throughout the entire campaign with the
Sd Artillery. making gallant record
and earning rapid promotion.
When the present trouble broke out
this brave old veteran was one of the
first to offer his long-sheathed sword to
the President He showed that his heart
was in the right place. though even the
patriotic enthusiasm that burns within
him could scarcely carry his eighty
seven-year-old body through campaign.
But the spirit that inspired the offer was
ine and will be an inspiration to younger
men.
living link In the navy with that far
Off war of the late forties is Admiral Up
shur. who graduated from the Naval
Academy in 1s4s. having already made
several cruises. He was present a, the
capture Of Vera Cruz. and. like Gen.
Gibson. he longs TO acquire a new body
10 hold his indomitable spirit that he
hlSHl 80 WIN the younger men 10 night
his country's battles If the call comes
In the present disturbance in Mexico
the navy has already given a good &C
count Of itself The young ensigns. only
a year out Of the academy, showed such
bravery. the beardless lads they COM
mand shot with such unerring aim that
the Mexicans asked themselves: IF the
American boys fight in this way, what
will the men do when they come down.
Unlike any other soldiers and sailors
the world over are the American soldiers
and sailors. The secret of their success
is that they never know when they are
whipped Again and again they have
Sone up against forces many times
stronger than their own and been vic
torious. At the battle of Sacramento
the Mexican priest Ortiz. who was held
as a hostage thus warned Col. Doniphan,
the officer in command:
Your force is too weak to contend
against such a force as the Mexican
army. and in SO strong a position. You
will inevitably be destroyed. captured or
put in chains.
After his stirring victory Col. Doni
phan said to his hostage:
We'll, Padre Ortiz. what do you think