The New York Herald Newspaper, June 20, 1853, Page 1

WHOLE NO. 17485. ANNUAL MILITARY EXAMINATION. THE CADETS AT WEST POINT. Names of the Graduating Class. ‘ADDRESS OF THE HON. KENNETH RAYNOR, MR. ANDREWS’ REPORT &., &e., &. ‘SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE OF THR NEW YORK HERALD. ‘Wesr Pors7, June 17, 1853, ‘There have been some matters of considerable interest ‘in the progress of the examivation of the cadets, an ac- count of the commencement of which I gave you ins Previous letter. Firat amongst these was the exhibition in fencing. ‘The instructor in this department is Mr. De Janon, and he enjoys the eredit of having made great improvements init. In nothing is the advantage of trainiog and edu- ation over mere phyrical strength, and untaught brate force more apparent, than in the art of fencing. It is correctly named; for a man acquainted with it is com- pletely fenced about against the swords of a half dozen men unskilled in their use. Mr. De Janon isa French gentleman of education, who has sustained » good repu- ‘tation during his entire residence here; and he has now ‘boon connected with the institution for eight years~yet he is paid only seven hundred dollars a year. This is too little. If fencing is to be taught at all—and who can doubt its usefulness to an officer?—it is desirable to bave it welltaught. Then let the instructor be fairly paid, It ia the duty of Congress to make pravision for ‘this; and their gallantry may be appealed to now, to stimu. late them to s more prompt performance of this duty; for though Mr. De Janon has rendered himablf perfectly unapproachable to the sword even in the hands of a Practiced fencer of ordinary skill, he has not proved equally imvulnerable to the shafts of the little blind god, whose quiver, coats of mai! are no shield against; a salary of only seven husdred dollars, is a doom to perpetual single blessedness here. One of the best fencers who have graduated here for Feveral years past, was M. Bonaparte, of Baltimore, grand-nephew of Napoleon the First. ‘The Light Artillery drill, under M Y. Thomas, and the Infantry under Major Garnett, were alike creditable to those officers and to the cadets. ry The riding on the plain, under Lieut. Sackett. was very spirited and exeiting. The lieuteaant is about * half horse, half alligator, with a little touch of the airthquake,”” and as he weighs two hun- dyed and forty-five pounds, there is room for con- siderable of each ingredient. His open spirit he infuses intohis men. They ride like Arabs; and if Santa Anoa could witness them once. when with the yell of the wild Indian, anda rush like the fall of an avalanche, they make a charge, he would understand that the American troops would be found irresistible in a future war as they wore in the last. There are stationed here, and enjoying certain advan- tages of instruction under officers of the military acade- my, ® company called ‘the sappers, miners. acd pon- toniers.’’ Several of the men composing it served as privates in the Mexican war. Probably there is not a better ocmpany in the United States. One evening we saw them under the direction of Cap tain Cullum, erect and remove a ponton bridge. It consist- ed of planks, laid upon Ivdia rubber floats in the shape of logs, with peaked ends, ivflated with air, aud bouad together with ropes. You way judge of the expedition with which this well-diiiled cos pany performed their outy, when J tell you that the bridge, one huudred and eighty feet in length was eonstructed in tuicteen min- antes aud taken away io | an tea. On Tussday, Major Ward fcom Florida, delivered an addres before the Dialec.ic Soc ety. I did not hear it, ‘but it is spoken of as a very Heper and ‘“taking’’ wifort, ‘He parsed a glowirg eulogy upon Gen Scott; wh'le many voted for him nee say they are glud that Gen Scott ‘was not elected President every ove -eems inclined to accord him the highest bovor as a military man. The firing at the target with moriars avd siege guns, under Ahe direction of Mujor Porcer, was considered very succesful Last Wedve:day morning, csdet James E. Fort, of O:wego, New York, who way ad witted in 1851. died atter an illness of several mooths He as in the 2lat yea: of this age. At the request of his father, his remains were removed to bis home tor iotermeut without osteatation. ‘The usual order to wear crape fr thirty days was given, and I presume a monumeu: will be erested to hiv memory. Almo«t the very dey when his classwates atter two 8’ confinement bere returo joyfully to their friends, ‘on a furlough of two moath-, to sive sod receive con- tinual pleasures, be i. borne to his chiléhood’s tome— his eye closed to its beautes which he sv longed ouce more to look upon, bis lips still his heart cold! His orm is covered over witb the sod which his young feet Bad pressed in play, and all his youthful acd ambi- ious dreams of future distine:ion and glory are buried ia this early grave! ‘Ibe entive First Class passed the examination and re- ceived their diplowas Ih» following are their nawes cd the order in which they graduated:— GENERAL MYRIT ROLL OF FIRST CLASS—JUNE, 1953. 1. James B. McPherson, 0. 27 B. F.Chumberlain, NY. 2 Wm P Creighill, Va. 28 J. H Edson, at large. 0. 3. Joshua W. Sil, 0. 20. Thos Wilson, at large. 4 Witham R. Boggs, Ga. 30 Wa. H Lowe, lowa. §. F.J Shunk, at large. 31. JR. Chamblias, jy, Va. 6, Willicm 8. Smith. 0 82, Wai. dc Dye, 0. %. Jobo M. Sch field, Ul. = =83 H B David-oa ‘Tenn. 8, Matthew M Bluov, N.Y. 84. Philip H Sheridan O 9. Thomae Hight, Ia 35. Wiliam A Webo, Me. 10. George R. Bisel Mo 36. Joha L. Grattan, 'N. H 31. Theras M. Vivcent, 0, 37. bimer Ous, O 12 H.C. Symoude, Mass, 38. Alfred E Latimer, § C, 15, Joba 8S: Bowen. Ga. 39. Bevjumia & 3m to. NJ. 14. George Bell. Ma 40. Sita P Hisgiaw, Al 15 Jas. D. Burns, jr. I. 41. Heory H Walker. R. Terrill, Va. 42 Exuued © Jones, I 11. Lewis H. Pelouze, P 43 Al-x Chambers NY, 18. Owen F. Solomon. G 44 Jova B. Hood, Ky 10, LaR L Livingston. N.Y. 45 Jas. A Smith, at large. 20. Rioh’dC Duryea. NY. 46 Robert F. Hunter, 0. 21. J. G, Chandler, Ma-s 47 tuomas M Jones Va. 22 Robert O Tyk 48. A, H Platmer, Pa. 23. W Jenkine, at large. 49 J. Mclat.re, Texas 2A. N. B. Sweitzer, Pa. 50 Lucius L Rich, Mo. 25. James L. White, Fla 51. Reubep R. Kors Tenn, 26 Benjamin Allston, 8 C 62 William Craig, Ia. ‘The diplomas had never heen formally delivered until thie year. Heretofore they have been made out and left at the Adjutant’s office to be catled fur. This year it was theught fitting to have the occa-ivun attended with more ceremeny. On Friday evening about five o'clock, tho art duating class proceeded in « body to the chapel to 7e- orive their diplomas. Colonel Robert K Lee, Superia- tendent of the Muitary Ac+demy. and President of the Academic Board, was in the Coair. and ou his right sat the other members of the board, consisting of the follow- dog gentlemen :— ‘beanis H. Mahan, Professor of Civil and Military Bn- peering. wera H ©. Bartlett, Professor of Natural and Ex- perimental Philosophy, Albert KE. Church, Pro‘essor of Mathematics. Jacob W. Bailey, Professor of Chemi-try, Mineralogy, and Geology. Rey. W. T. Sprole Chaplain and Professor of Geography, History, and Ethics. Rovert W. Weir, Professor of Drawing. Cspt George W. Cullum Corps of Kogineers, Instructor of Practical Military Kugineering HR, Agnel, Profe-sor of Franch Brevet Major R 8. Garnett, Seveath Infantry, Iastructor of Infavtry Tactics Brevet Major George H Thomas, Third Artillery, In- atructor of Artillery and Cavalry. The Board of Visiters, wbose names you have already ublishsd, entered, and took their seats at the left of the rerident. The diplomas were delivered to the cadets bj ge President, and the Hon, Kennett Raynex, of Norti olina eho had been selected for the «ceavion by the Board of Visiters, rose ano delivered the following ADDRESS. GenTLemen ov THe GrapvuaTiNG Case: Lam aware that apology dues not suit the oceasion, ‘and yet Tove is to myseit to way, that my fears, lest I may fail to meet your expec'atious, are in proportion to the short notice Lhave hud to prepare for ‘this imposing ceremonial. Yes, imposing Irepeat it is—such it mast be to you, in sll its associations, and susb, I asaure you, it will ever be with me. eay is the anaiversacy of the battis of Bupker’s Hill, aud on thi day you lay axico the pratiztafor the toga viilis—a ceremovy as tinpressive to the Reman youth—a ceremony honsred as a public observauce, in the forum or the capitol The scenes through which you have lately passe3, with vo much credit to yourselves and pride to your frievds aud coun: trymen. Were not desigoed to be @ mere idle aod amusing eerewory. The rigid examination to wuich you have lately been subjected in the elemeots of science and of art, wos not for the purpose «f torturing you, or of amu: sing those who, under the stern dictates of duty, have mace this last trial of your fitme«s fur those services which your country oxpects at your hands. The severe and trying ordeal through which you ha lately passeé—since you have passed through unrcathed—should rather be to you a source of xojoicing, since it affords to you, an evidence of the high appreciation in which your country bolas those services, requiring qualifications such ‘4 you have exhibi And then again, what heact felt’ gratification it must afford those who have fuperintended your instruction, to -en it labors crown- “40d with success —whilst atthe same time, their duty to ‘their country, that has confided thiv great trast to them, ‘bas been amply fulfilled The rame may be «nidin regard La phynieal training, which constitutes s0 considera- portion of your instruction kere, It ix not designad THE NEW Y Alten MORNING EDITION---MONDAY, JUNE 20, 1853. ORK HERALD. _ ¢ ® it for the development of phys?- ay spect and especially for the practical application of those great principles in nature, ths+ lie at ‘the fcundation of all science. These exercises may ap; trivial to rome, but he has read history to but little pur- pore, who does not know that the physical education of youth bas ever constituted an important element of the Greatpess and power of nations? Xenophon iaforms us that it was owing to the early traming of the Persian uth in the management of the horse, that thelr unrivalled cava'ry became the terror of surrounding nations, Another historian informa us that the Scythian ambassador, who langhed in derision, when he first witnessed the gymnastic exercises for the Athenian youths, was forcibly reminded by his Atbevisn companion that it was owing to this early fe ory, a) their youth that the Greeks were enabled to rerdet Combined efforts of the barbarian world The yourg Alexander, when manceuvering his phalanx of Ma- cedonian boys, was already laying the foundarlon of that career of glory that ultima‘ carried him in triumph to the Inous; and the young Napoleon. when engaged in re at the rchool of Br sical rae 1g is the only element of strength er that the Bedouin of the desert, aud the Ca na: prairies, so terrible in ular warfare whiltt they are utterly powerless t charging squadrons and impepetrable squares It was the coinbi- nation of these two elements of strength. mental cultiva, tion, apd physical discipline, which developed those pe culiar traits in the G:eciun character, that bw never, perhaps, been equalled since. Their warrior statesmen, philosopbers, and poets, thro: to the Olympic games as well to compete in the lists, as to ho- nor there athlete by their pre-e: aud the crown of victory thus obtained, was equally prized with that of the battle field, or with the honors of the forum the acade- wy, Or the porch. It is this combiva‘ion of ments! and physical discipline, that constitutes the peculiar excel- nee of this institution, and you, gentlemen, have now reacbed that period in life, when reflection and expe- rience cannot fail te teach you how to appreciate that self-depial on the ove band, and that self-reliance on the other, which you may have regarded in the early part of your cour:e, us the hard and c uel exactions of aa unre- lenting dirciptine. Often, no doubt have you wondered, when mouptivg guard in inclement weather, when per: forming in berracks those duties, @hich in domeatio life pertain to menial hands; when partaking of that plain ‘ard substantial fare, whieh experience bas proven to be most promotive of physical vigor, and conducive to heulth; when debarred the privilege of roaming at plea- sure smid this scenery of beauty and grandeur that surrounds you, so tempting to the buoyant heart of youth; when complring with the requlcements of that rigid etiquette, +0 indispensable ‘0 military disci pline—often, I suy. have you no donbt wondered why you should be deberred from those enjoyments kaown to tue eons of luxury and of ease But the benefit of all this se. vere discipline now begins to da#n upon your minds when you are hereafter brought in rude contact with the world, and 10 the dircharge cf those maoly duties which jour country expects of you you will appreciate its value ip its full force You will then see that not only ‘han adversity its uses.’? to use an idea of the great Eogli-h bard, but that, being taught the duties incident to ad- versity in the days of prosperity, better enables us to bear the burdens and adapt ourselves to the exigencies of fo: tune, sbould adversity end its trials aftersard beset us in our journey along the pathway of life. You will ther be the better enabled to appreciate the trials und aifficul ties of those to whom your country eatrusted your edu- cation ; how they have viesed with pride and pleasure Your, Proficiency and good conduct, and how their arts have been reat with pain in being com- pelled to visit with their disapprobation your aberrations from the line of daty. Instead of looking on them as hard task-masters, you will wouder at their generous forbearance, aud your hearts will swell with gratitude and affection for those men, who laid the superstruc:ure of your usefulness and your fame, upon such @ solid and enduring foundation. “(Immense applavre by the cadets.) And when hereafter, in the discharge of your professional duties, whether in the military service of your country, or in the pursuits of civil life, you shall be subjected 10 hard-hip and endur- ance, whether bivouaciog in the enem: fending our own flag or on our own 60! posed to the privations of garrison duty. or our extended frontiers, or to the dangers of savage warfare, am:d the svlitudes cf our western fore.ts—whether exposed to the pertilential fevers of our Atlantic coast and alluvial streams, or pioneering the way of civilization over our rugged mountains—whether suffering from the pange of burger and thirst on distant marches, or enduring the tedium and wactivity of Jife in camp—whether called to serve your ocuvtry amid the snows of Wisconsin. the burning sands of Texas, the vast plains of Miunesota and Nebraska or the gorges and defiles of California and Ore ger—your memories will recur with pleasure aud de- light to your schoolboy days at West Point, where you were tavugbt thore habits of self deaial and eelf-dependenoe, which enable you to battle with the elements, end which perved your alma and emboldened your hearts for a conflict with the trials of a soldier's life, (Applause) In the cource of my observation in the dis- chorge of my duties bere, I have been forcibly struck with the fact, bow entirely subo:cioate the ornamental ix made to the useful im the course of instruction at West Point. I mean no disparagement to the collegiate institutions of our country—«o tar from it, we have cause to feel proud of the ngh past!iou to which these toxtatu- tions have elevated, aud are still elevating the standard of bearing amcngst us. But in common with all other collegiate institutions of the world their main parpore serms to be to convert yooths into men—whereas, the wain object here at West Point seems to be to prepare youths fur the dissharge of tho-e duties which devolve upon them when they become to be men. This system of ivstruction I regard 10 be, not ovly in conformity with the laws of developement acd progress, f-unded on natu ral principles, but also in ttrict adaptation to the spirit of the age, and the genius of American character aud American institutions, Ever since the g:eat master mind ot Bacon brushed away the cobwebs of sophistry with which the philosophy of the :chools bad for ages fettered the hun av mind in segard to the duty of man avd the qweans of arriving at truth, the enlightened jadgmeat of the world, wherever oyinion is free, has beeu fu i to the conclusion, that the duty of man consists useful to bis fellows, and that truth is to be arri not through a priori assumptions, but by a process of indnetive experievce. A government in actiug on this system, is bound to aid in develoveing aad apylyiag for public use, tbe talents, ardenergics, and virtues of all, without respect to the conditious of birth, fo: tune, or social position. How. beautifully and harmoniously is ‘he system of education and disctplipe which you have been taught here, culculated to conduce to this end. You owe your good fortune in first obtainiag admission here and inthis Cay reaching the goal of your long cherished hopes, to none of those adventitious influences to which Lhsve scverted. The object of your country in sending you here. was to make you useful to your feliow country: men, Thore entrusted with your education have been governed by this same great cardial principle. They have in picely balonced seules. weighed the labors, the acpieve- ments, and obedience to duty, of all acd every cue o! you The mode of your relection “aad the mvthod of your in- struction, aré a most beautiful reflex of the nature and workirg of our free institutions. ‘There is no royal r of birth or position to admission bere—and I presume bitter experience has thoroughly taught every one of you that there is no royal rovd to learning here (Great sp- plause.) ‘There is no inequality recoguizsd here, but that of merit. The very uniforms which you wear, your re striction to the same Lind of fare. of quarters, of obe- dierce to authority, all serve to impress on you the great truth. thet equal merit will secure to you equal honorse— that up that steep sscert from the top of which * fame’s proud temple shines afar.’ the road is broad enough for every one of you to march abreast. And then again, whata striding lesson is taught you, by all the associa tions connected with your course of instruction here. Have you prosvects of wealth end independence at home, which rencer all effort at pecnniary gain on your parts unnecessary? Here you have beeu practically taught the moral truth, that money is valuable only a+ a meats to the attainment of lawful ends--that its mero posse-sion entitles no ove to superior ravk over bis fellows-and that know- ledge end virtue are far more desirable than California's mices. On the other hand, are any of you poor in this world’s good:? Be pot discoursged, (senxation,) in the position you now occupy, and in the possession of those aitaipmevta which secured to you that position, you bave that which is far ‘more precious than rubies,” a fiend, of which neither the world or misfortune can -deprive you—a treasure, which the wise and appreciate much more highly, than rents or dividends, lanes or berds, or fields, rich for the harvest. (Great applause.) Have you high social position at home, where the honors snd animosities of influential friends and fashionable life avail you? Here you have been tavght the god moral leseon, that these advantages, des rable and pleasant as they may be, should never allow you to look down with disdain upoa the plain obscurity of bumble and unpretending Ife. Your couutry, in calling for the services of her sons, and in dispensing the rewards of merit here recognizes no distinction but that of persoval worth—aud that family pride and recial caste weigh nothing ia the scale against thore noble qualities, the poesession of which by ou, are matters of record in the archives of this institution; or if. perchance, from some peculiar bias in early life, you take a different view of this matter, then recollect, if you have high social position among family und friends, there is an adcitional responsibility tnrown Upon you, to sustain and preserve it by your influence and exemple. On the other hand, are you of obscure and humble parentage, whose only social position is their good name, whore only fortune is their simple and hon- @st worth? Instead of ig ashamed of them, you should love them the more dearly; (immsn-e applause,) and it should be to you a source of joy to refivct with what anxious hopes they bave watched ioe progress here, and with what glowing pride they will hail your triamph; with what tender smiles, and open arms, aud beating hearts, they will greet your return to the homes of your childhood, to which you carry, in the diplema this day secured nt of nobility, which * all the noble blood of all the Howards’ eould o0¢ purchase (Loud general and long continued applsuse ) Have you graduated with the highest honors in your clas-? lastead of reclining up on your honors, reccilect that the more is expected of you hereafter; that the eyes of your friends and of your country are upon you; that in order to maintain your porition, and to fulfil the expectations you have excited,” renewed evergy and untiring efforts aro Leees ary en your parts. On the ‘other hand, did you stand lower down on the list? This is do reason why you should be mortified or Giscouraged To have passed through such an ordes! as you bave, at all, is hosor— great honor, Your diplomas speak the eae flat! cring rd encouraging lavguage—and instead of feeling any upkind jealousy towards thore whoo names may stend before yours on the list, you should cultivate the stimu lus of ® Invdable rivairy, in endeavoring to hereafier overteke them in the rece of professional usefainesa and boncr, on which you all this day enter anew, (Very en: thusiastic chocring ) So that you see, gentlemen, the caceaien: Ae properly Laipenqnrpon speaks {ovalland ooh ou, the same Jap encouragement and hope— the same excttememy to “deeds of high nad noble daria You from this day. enter on that career of useful to which your country has called you, and for whic! claims your genius, your attainments, and your moral The other collegiate institutions of the country education merely preparatory to the'’study of a profesrion. Here you have, in four short years, received pot oply your education, but your profession too You have performed Herc: bors, I admit, but yet your tack of usefulness just com: menced. You will soon be called on to spply practionly, and for useful ends, either in the mii fary or civil line of Your Profession, thore t princi- ples of mathematical and scientific deduction, the techni- calities of which may have often puzzled you, and the uses of which you have, no doubt, often wondered at in oer hours of ‘study. tut the importance of which will uret upon your minds in striking force and exhilerating beauty in the ical details of your profession. It is your good fortune to live in an age the peculiar charac: teristic of which marks the dominion of mind over mat fer. In order to control matter efficiently, an acquain- tance with the unchanging laws that govern the whole mate ial world is indispensable. The prinaiples of curves and of angles. of material forces, of chemical combina- tions, of pee and shade, are the very same, whether de monetrsted on the black board or practically applied in the evolutions of the battle-field, the mancuvres of strat egy, the spapnirg of rivers, the delineation of nature on the speaking canvass, the measuring the courses and orbits of the star:—in fact the entire subjection of the elements to buman control, whether in defending ourselves or in aasailing our foes; in developing the resources of our own country, or in’ ministerizg to the wante and comforts of wan. Yes, gentlenen, yours is indeed o high calling. an ennobliog pro’ession. In this age of rapid progress and startliog innovation. the demand for a knowledge of appl: ing the laws and principles of science to the art, and to the pursuits of industrial life, is con stantly ipereasing, and is far in advance of the mipply. In this age, commerce is universa er genius pre sides over the councils of civilized he has been, nd some nd privi- Jeges will probably be the first signal for letting loose the elements of destructicn that have been accumulating for years in the European world. It is the commercial spirit of this willitarian age which is tamneling mountains, bri¢ging rivers, exploring mines, rearing workshops, lev- ellirg forests, excavating docks—in fact, waging a perpe- tual conflict with the obstacles of nature, In doing this, science murt cirect what muscle and sinew execute. This great field of mental labor is open before you. Your counts peed: your assistance, pot cnly in fighting her battles sgainet foreign foes, but in developing her resources, and in iis Oe her power. Take avy of the great sciences, in which you have bren so thoreughly taught, Military engiveering, the highest department of military science, is designed not only to eni ou to carry the evemy’s strongholds, but to do ro at the least possibla loss of life ond expenditure of time and treasure Paradoxical as it may seem, a feeling of humarity here intervenes to soften the horrors, and Jessen the cos‘s of war. Astronomy is not now studied, as with the Chaldee and the Egyptian, for the pastime of the solitary rhephera’s contemplation, or as the g:ound «ork of priestly imposture, but for the more ennobling purpose of expanding the mind and sub- limaticg the conceptions, by communion with the stars, and the more uretul object of measuriog distance, econo mising time, establishing international landmarks, and Fy sag the courses of the spheres, to enable thise who seil under our flag to carry it with safety and de- spatch «yer the trackless deep. (Applause) “Che uses of chemistry are not to amuse the louely student in his solitary tower to minister to the hopes of the mixer in bis search for the transmutation of metals, or to the Gelurions of the alchymist in his search for the phi: losopher’s stone, but for the more noble purpose of investigating hidden uses of nature's products in applyirg them to the useful arts, to the relief of human soffering, and the prolongation of human life, You have not been taught drawing, such an im- portent clement of instruction here, merely to beguile your id’e hours, but for u:eful and practical ends. Maos aye rot more indispensible to a knowledge of geography, tban is drawing in the various pursuits of your profes:ion, ‘The laws that govern light avd shade, the relations of objects, at a distance, the combinations of the forces that regulate mschivery, in all these and many others, the Aifiicultive of vision can only be supplied to the mind’s eye, by the lineations ard groupings of the pencil It is from the cbaits and crawinga of the tpograpbisal engi- neer, that in extended operations, the commander is ena- ble exercise that wonderful coup d'@il which often termipates a campaign by some striking coup de main, How forcibly exemplified this waa in ‘he campaign which termizated at Waterloo. Napoleon ssw with the inspira- tion of genius. that Quatze Bras was the key to the cam- yaign. Hence Napoleon's positive orders to Ney to seize thir position at the esrliest possible moment, aud to hold itatel hazards, But Wellington also saw ihe same thing. bence hia orders, issued from the ball room of the Duchess of Ricbnond, for his troops to concentrate on Quatre Bras. not by divisions, but by battalions, by companies, snd by «quads. Hed Napoleon’s orders been strictly com- pled wi'n, Ney might have held Quatre Bras with twen- ty fe thousand men, against the whole Krglish army. With tbe balance of his foroes he might have fallen upon the rear of "he Prussiars at Ligny, and annihilated them. Grouchy’s force could thus have been made available a) Waterlco, in-tesd of being tent to watch the Prussians— the battle of Waterloo might have terininated difforently, eno the tate of the world have been changed. Of course it must heve been owing to the labors of their engineer: that there great commenders were enabled to see at a gloxce the relations between distant points, and the natu ral cbstactes intervening. Carry yourselves, in imagiua tion to the headquarters of both, on the nightyprevious to the battles of Ligoy and Quatre Bras—each of them surrounded by his corps of engineers, who were pointing out on the charte aud drawings spread out before them, the strategic relations between difloreat poivts, and prov: ing by watbematical cemoustration the great of getring first in p the re-ul's—and you will readily eee the great importenes to a military wan of the use of the pencil (Deep in terest. manifested, and loud spplause) Or if, pere chavse rome of you msy possess a spark of that “fire divine,” whieh placed a Kaphael, a Corregio, a Titian a Voud ke, amovg the few immortal names that were not born to die.” what a field you have betore you | How many heart stirring subjects in our colonial avd reyo)utior ary history are there yes to be immortalized oa canvas+—subjects calculsted to arouse your patriotism as we las fie your genius, Whowould not rathec have the endurmg fame of him under who-e instruction you have at, whose genius speaks from the canvass io the great picture of "The Kmbarkstion of the Pilgrims,” which adorns the retundo, than all the ephemeral aoto riety which is effervesciog in tae two euds of the mational capito? (Very ceep feeling manifested. Mr. Weir was present, und wll eyes at once turned towards him, while his own, moistened by a tear, fell to the floor—his looks berreyir g that almost feminise modesty which is xo often alhed to genius.) And so gentlemen, in regard to all the ether great brancher ofscience *hich you have been taught hese. ‘Tbeir object is to ranke yoo useful to your ccuntry acd to youriclow wen I wish not to be mis- understood. 1 do not derign to proclaim war against the gscer end the ornaments of Life Far frem it. The groces ond the oynoments of character ave in most of the relations ef lite, a component part of the useful. Mere mspner is more important now than in the days of chi valry, in propertion to the substitution of inoral for Physical force, in controling the destinies of men ard of vations, A proper regard for the courtesies and amenities of life is not only itdispensabdle to the charac- ter of agenticman, but also to the application of high mettal avd moral worth to the public good. Humanity, grverosity, modesty, in shot sil the private virtues known to social life are es; ecially the province of the sol. ier and should serve as landmarks to bis usefulness and fawe Whatever refines the feelings, purifies the heart, and elevates the conecption, appertains to the useful. It is & mistaken idea to ruppose that severe discipline in watbematicul and scientitic induction, is either derigned or calewated to zender the heart callous or the feelings crabbed ‘bere is nothing in it iaconri.tent with the West senstive refinement, and the most tender and poetic scotiments. Far be it from me then to wish to dispel that poetry of feeling. that halo of hope and of joy, which beams in your hearts and glows in your faces. I would not, if I could, deface that coleur de rose tint with which it is the rature of youth to paint the future of life on fire entering on the duties of manhood ‘There ts enongh in the aescoiations convected with this spot, to kinsle the fire and excite the enthusiasm of youthful feeling in your borows. Here you have for four years been treading on classic ground. There is here a mora lesson a poetic dea, covnected with'almost every objec that greets your vision, This grand and imposing scen- ery ix yell calculated to elevate your conceptions ‘through vature up to nature's God,’’and to excite your reverence for Him, who * fashioned the everlosting hills ’ The placid stream thatiunsat your feet, on whose bo- sem floats the commerce of an empire, tells you of the greatness and wonderful resources of that country whose fing aud whose honor you have to defend. One of the mont stribing incicents of our revolutionary history is here brought forcibly to your minds, The delivery of itis post to our British foes might have) prolonged for seats that war of freedom, The history of Arnold, whose for- mer dwelling is within the scope of your vision, cannot foil to teach you that genius, and bravery, and public service, without high moral worth, and stern devotion to privciple, are - of sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal.”’ (Great sensation.) The ruins of old Fort Putzam, which overlook your daile parade, and of Fort Clinton, within the limits of your evening walk cannot fail to suggest to you the hardy endurance and daring valor of our revolutionary fathers, within whose rude fortifica tions was often recited the story of their country’s wrongs, and which, as long as they are spared by wme, are ever reminding na of how much we owe to the gore that heroic age. The legeads connected with hovciusko’s baunts must suggest to you how often, when reclining on bis favorite rock, with the silver Hudrom rolling beneath his feet, he wept at the thi ugbt of his country’s fall, avd looked forward to the tive when young Awerica, then struggling for freedom, would con-é the tyrants of the earth to tremble, The Bopureental marble commemorative of the melancholy ed of Dace and his comrades, whilst it extorts from you atear for 1beir fate cora les you with the reflection thet if a like destiny should be yours, the gratitude of your couniry, and the affection of your companiozs in arma, will not suffer your names aud your exploits to be consigned to oblivien, (Great sensation particulariy amoug thes Moers ) Surrounded by such associations as you beve been for years, there is little danger of yonr thoughts becoming too prosaic, or tho current of your feelings rupning in too stegnant a stream. Indulge, then, my yourg friends, the impulses of joy, of gladness, and of hope, to their fullextent. knjoy the luxury of snticipation in meeling the weleome aud kind greeting of friends, of family, aud of kindred. Drink deep of the Greught ‘of pleasure, at the idea of donning the livery of venr cour ter exchaciva the musiet for the eword—in passing trom the duties of obedls ions ; for years, their surety or the bond of peace; suppored or pretended violation of ber rights those of command. Revel in the bright hopes of revigit- ing the scenes of your childhoo..'—in witnessing a father's pride. a mother’s love, » brother’ 4 31 @ sister’s en chanting smiles: or if the face of some fair ene. who may have pined at your absence, is wreathed with smiles at the prospect of your return, qaaff the cup of nectar to the very bottom—give full ‘cope to the im- = ef “love's young d-eam.” It is an ennobling feeling, a sentiment hallowing to ths hear\ and chasten: ipgto the mind. (The applause here became perfectly up ‘arious, and theintepse excitement of the cadets show- ed ‘hat the spesker had touched the “electric chain” with » potent hand.) All these rewards you have now, by your constancy. your Levigngrsyaon our devotien to duy. And yet, bright as is the ralubow of hope, that spans the firmament of your future, 1 ought perhaps to remind you that you will not always fad the pathway of life strewn with roses, Trial and difficulty, disappoint- ment and sorrow, are the common lot of all the sons of men. Success, and honcr, and fame in every relation of Ife, axe only to be attained by peying the price of fortitude, of putience, and of toil. The curse of man’s first disobedience, that “in the aweat of his brow he should eat his bread,” is the cor dition, upon which success is promised, in every humen pursuit. Ad. although you may not have to till the ground” with your hands literallymyet you will find, that every blessing which Providence has voucbsaled to wan, is upon the condition of some corres- ponding sacrifice. "The rewards of hovor and of glory in this life, vo less than thore of the Christian’s triamph, sre to be reached by a constant struggle with the éle: ments of evil—by * ighting the good fight” of duty. and “keeping the faith” of principle and of truth, When brought in contact with the world, its selfishness, its cunning, its deceit, its jealousy, its envy, and the thous- and other “ils that flesh is heir to,” beware of the re- action, of suddenly wakirg up to the sad realities of life. Thick net with the poet. that “this world is all a fleotirg show, to man’s illusion given;”” seek no retreat from divapp: intment in the gloomy reveries of the misan- ibrepe, Dut, as difficulties thicken, let your motto be ‘fight’ on,’ Sght ever,” and console yourself with the reflection of the martyr, ‘the greater the t the greater the crown.” And, it needs be «fences must come,” be sure to avoid ‘the ‘wo?’ pro- nounggg in holy writ, against “those from whom they do come.” -Especially, let me admonish you to make honor your polar star, as you Journey on, slong the voyage of life. Worship honor with the idolatry of the Parsee for the rising syn. Suffer not the uniform of your countey to be tarnished by any act that can bring reproach upon your names. Let the eagle on your button be emble watie of your conduct, as it is of your country’s pride. Let your thoughts and your aspirations soar aloft in the puré and etherial regions of honer, integrity and truth, fax: above the low impulses and vulgar prejudices of igno: ble souls. Ard if, perchance, slaoder should asvail rou, live it cown by the reetitude of your lives, till its authors shall bang their beads in shame. (Enthusiastic ap- pleuse.) ‘The crusader when starting to the Holy land, with his sword belted around him by the lady of his love, took nota more rolemn vow on the altar of honor, than that, in which you this day consecrate your lives to the service of honor and your country. (Applause) The +word of your country ix itself the very livery of honor. (Great applause.) And whether it shall in your hands, rink deep of ‘the blood of the enemies of your country, or whether its hilt “shall ever continue un- wreathed with the garlands of peace—whethor afcer the carnage of battle, or in the quiet evening of life, let it be returned to its ecabbard without a single stain of dishonor usonits blace. (Very great sensation and applause.) You wiil thus be enabled to preserve it for your children, ard Land it down asan heir boon to your posterity, as the livir g witness of the valor and virtue of an honored sire. An Americon officer bas a bigh responsibility resting on him, unknown to that y other nation in the civilized werld, In other nations, having large standing armies, their etrength upd power are mainly physical, depending upon numbers. There the want of the morale is compen- sated for in the physique. In our coun ry, where neither ublic opinion ror necessity countevancen large staud- ing armies in time of peace, owr officers constitute the true element of our etrength. This is strictly in accordence with the churacter of our free insti- tutions. Our institutions being founded in, and de- pencing for their duration on the affections of the People, we rely in the conscious security of our strength cn the patriotism of the masses, as the element of physics! force But as meutal and moral cultivation are net weeds of natural growth, we must rely upon the profersions! elevation of our officers as the main bulwark of our strength, in order to make our physical force ef. fective when the hour of crisis comes. Many strikiog illustrations of the truth of this were afforded by the inci- denis of the late war with Mexico. Mere daring and un- disciplined valor could encounter ¢anger, eoufront bat- tuios, ord pour out blood freely, But it was soon dis- covered that reckless exposure in the field constituted no evidence of fitness for command. It was for the eye of selence to discover at a glance the pivot points of battle, tocalcwate with precisicn how great expenditure-of life ‘wos necessary to effect the cesired ends, and to know when the calls of mercy required the hand of havoc to be stsyed There was not a buttle field from Palo Alto to Mo- linc de] Rey on which the elements of science and skill tavgbt bere did not tell with effective forces, Such great results such lender means, and such comparatively trifling cost, could n t have been effes ed, but for the scientific instruction anc hardy discipline obtained at West Poivt. Her sons powed out their bleed in torreats, many of them sleep in their parent dust—but they fell like Wolle, in the arms of victory—the tears of their com xd. Ui ceweo their graves, and history will record their exploits for the admiration posterity. Of the sur vivors, I would net spesk of the fect, that many have had filcLed from them the bcnors that were their due by there bearing more lofty titles, but that history, with is peu cf stee), will do them justice, and that the sober re- fection of the nation is beginning to acknowledge thefr claims, What must have been tho feelings of those, at whore feet they eat for instruction here, as *he latter read from time to time of their gallant achievemeats, and their melancholy ends. How their hears roust have een wrong with sorrow at the recital of their fate, and then ogaip, how their boroms must have avwelled with pride, as they witnessed the cro labors — (Very apparent feelog.) wo return, the duties, responsibilities and reqnirewents of an American officer, compared with tho of other countries, are in proportion to the value of, and the affection of our people for our gloricus ixstita' cow pared with the crumbling and time-worn ivstitutions of the European world. Yes, gentlemen, what a tigh mission, whats 1a cred duty is yours. You wre the chosen guardians of Your country’s freedom, her independerce sod her glory. Yours is a sacred deposite in havirg to protect aud waia- tuin the dear-booght privileges purchased by the blooa of our revolutionary fathers—to defend the soil watered with their blood, and in which repave their honored dust To you is evtrusted the honor of that flag, which bas ficaied in triumph over £0 wavy fivids of catpage, and, rather than suffer it to trail In dishonor, yow should swear by the asbes of your sires that you will find your winding cheers ia its folds. (Deafening applause ) Next to liberty, let re admonish you to lcyo and reverence this Unicn. As an Americar, you can heve but one cuntry-- that country is the Union of these symbolized by the tara and stripes. In oer to preserve our freccom at hoe, maintain our position abroad, there States, ke the Graces, #3 represented ‘by the should ever rex ain entwined by the arms barmor/ous support of each other, ot the Union, then, ax a seutiment. itsell can be contemplated slause.) "Tis this which gives us our indentity among the s ations—which enables the American to walk orect in foreign lands, with the proud consciousness of a title, rearcely loss prized than that of Romancitizen in Rome's most palmy days. 'Tis this, which oxrries our flag in trum ph over every sea, and which is the bescon of hope, to the oppressed in every land. Under ita fostering care and protection, we haye subdveia continent (rom the dominion of savege solitude, atd carried the blessings of civiizetion. science, religion. 1 berty, and jaw, from ocean toocean. Let it ke pursued, nd whose heart dies oot swell with the rapture of patriotic pride, as be contem- plates our future destiny? Destroy it, and whose gaze in ationg enough to pierce the dark future that lies be- nd? At what shrine shall we worship, to whet econ shall we turn—when the dome’ of that temple, whose doric pillars rest on the Altegavies and the Rocky Mountsing, that is mow bathed in hues of liviog light, shall be shrouded in perpetual darkness? What American soldier can, without horror, contempla e that future, when be must snatch the eagled button from his c.at, Breuk, in despair, that avord which he received f r his country's defence, and be compelled to exclaim, in the fgony ot His soul, * alas, I base ne country left ’” (Great sensation and applause.) Next to the injunetions of holy writ ttudy, reverence and maintain the constitution of your covrtry. Upon its broad and deep foundations the isbric of our Union and our freedom rests. No lees aa cied rhovlé it be in your affections, than was. in the hearts of the Atheniais, the fabled palladium, which they supposed to have fallen from Olympus, as the peculiar kilt of their goddess. The constitution was the gift of a heroic ancestry. Let it be your pride and your duty to maintain and defend it, Let it be preverred pure and un mpaired, and the fabric of our free institution, which rests upon its firm foundations, whether feom foreign vio- lence or domestic discord, may rock “ from turret to foun. dstion stone’’~ yet, like that ‘house"’ spoken of in the great sermon on the mount, which ‘‘was fourded on a rock,”’ it will stand frm and secare, defying. the “loads aud storms” of the political elements. The dying appeal of Gelgnchus to the ancient Britons was—“Think of your country, think of your ponterity.” Should it ever be your destinies to fall in defence of your country’s rights und liberties, let your dying appeal to your comraces be— “Strike for the constitution, which wé received from our fethere—strike for the Usion, the last refuge of our hopes.” (Great applause) In conclusion, geatlemen, let me admexish you to cultivate a holy reverence for the Christian religion. Tspeak vot of it as it is expounded in crecés, or faught in eectarinn schools, but in reference to thers moral precepts and everlasting truths ‘which paizt, a with asunbeam, the duty of man to Ged and his felow-men, Ido not syeak of itin the rense in which the Pharisee practices obecience to the Mosaic ritual—of regviatiy paying tithe of “myrch, anise, and cum nin.” and ‘neglecting the more mighty’ matters of of law, but in iw comprehensive icjunction of the duty ef man, to “work justice, love mercy, and walk hombly betcre Ged.” 1 would not vindicate the philoso phy of the srelenty—bnt compares with the sermon on the mount, it is all Cimmerian darkness, compared to the blaze of the mi¢dsy sun. The Christian religion is the great civilize: of the worli—the eubduer of the pas: sion, the refiner of the sentiments, the comforter of the afflicted, the zewarder of the just, the teacher of thone sublime virtuag which approxitpate man most nearly to the Author ot his being. It not omly tells us our duty to Cult e Without it liberty asanabstiaction (Ap our fel'ows aud our Gud. but it teschos us the true seoret of patriotism, the condition of netional greatness and re nown It enforces in its precepte the great moral lesson, hi history has inscribed in letters of light upon the of past ages, and the crumbling monuments of fal Osnnstier—that ‘righteousness exaltoth a nation, bin ls @ ceproack to any people,’ There iss beautiful painting by Mr. Weir over the pul- pit in the chapel, representing the ‘Genius of America,” with these words in letters. The speaker poiated to itim the conclurion of bis address, and the effect was most stirring. Mr. Rayner’s manner of delivery is very tflective, and it is seldom that any production is received with euch unanimous and enthusiastic favor. It seemed, 4s the doctors sometimes ray, ‘ to go tothe right spot.’ Immediately after the applause lad subsided. at its con- clusion, Colocel Lee siepped up to Mr Rayner and re- maiked:—‘‘Sir, my only regret on this occasion is, that I permitted the furlough class to leave without heariog the noble sentiments that you have ex, cay 4 GozeD persons were trying at the eame time to gt hold ef the speaker’s hand, to congratulate him. {n short, ) the speech was a most deeided bit E. W. Aacrewa, Esq , was appointed by the Board gf Visiters, several days sgo, to draw up their genera) re port to the Seeretary of War. The selection of another menber of the Board to prepare tbis report might be Seemed by some a reflection upon the President of the Boord, Henry E Davis, Beq , late Corporation counsel of New York. widely known for bis worth; but « precedent for this exists, and I believe Mr. Davis himself urged the appointment of some other member of the Board to per- form this duty. Mr. Andrews, as a member of the Board of Visiters, hails from Connecticut, in which state he formerly oecupied a pulpit. His family still reside there, but he is Practising law in New Yorkity. From tho facility with which be has attached to himeelf warm friends here, it is supposed thut he must have been & very popular pastor. It is even hinted that he was tl identical clergy man of whom this story is told:—Amongst bis covgregation was an ola lady, whose extreme admira- tion for him scaroely admitted her talking upon any other subject. On one cecasion, having reached an unusual piteb of enthusiasm, she exclaimed, ‘I dont ‘spose, to be sure that our minister is exactly equal toChrist, but I really believe that be is Anti Christ.” Mr. ANDREWS submitted his report to the Board this morving. I understand vhat it expresses, in emphatic terms, the very high estimate which the Board placed upon this patioral academy, and their unqualified ap Froval of its present administration under its accom- plished Superintendent, Colonel Lee, and the able pro fessors ard their assistants who constitute the Acade nic Board. The report also recommends several imprive ments and changes ofan importapt character. Among them are the erection of 4 new building for cavalry exer cite, the enlargement of the Cadet’s Hospital, add tional quarters for cfficers, an increase ipshe number of cadats, £0 as to give two additional to eadh State correspondin, with the number of Senators; an extension of the period of instruction to five years; an increase of the pay of the cadeta from $24 to $28 per month; the equalization of the pay of all the professors. and also the pay of their as:istsnts, with some others of less moment. The report closes as follows:— Tn conclusion, we wou'd expross the unmingled pleasure Wo have derived from tho dischargo of our duties au & Board of Directors. Upon our arrival we were received with dis- juperintendent, Colonel Lee, and patit nd during the entire rogrens of our labors every possible facility hax been af- erded us for acoomplishing the onds of our appointmoat We close our investigations, and reluctantly leave this pince, colevrated alike for its natural attractions and its i historic interest, more profoundly impressed than ever with e portance of this military academy to the highest in- of our nation, and in the confident assurance that ‘ature career will be as honorable ag its past history been uscful and patriotio. ends the ¢xexuipation, ‘The graduating class gives a ball at Cozzens’s to night, and! will aend you rome ecoount of it. B, NEWS BY TELEGRAPH. Great Fire at Cambridgeport, Mass. FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS WORTH OF PROPERTY DESTROYED. Boston, June 19, 1858. This afternoon a fire broke out in Camridgeport, near the bridge, which destroyed the Cambridgep ort Hotel, kept by Thomas Pike; the Bridge Hotel, kept by Solomon Trott, with the extensive stables attached; the lumber yards of Messrs. Cutter & Crosman, George N. Fisher. and T. P. Leonard, and ten stores and dwelling houses. ‘The Cambridge bridge also took fire several times during the conflagration, and was considerably damaged. The total loss is estimated at about $50,000, of which one- third only is insured. Markets, New ORLEANS June 13, 1863. Cotton to-day was dull, the sales readbing only 1,700 bales. There was no quotable change in prices ‘The re ceipts to day: were ovly 150 bales; exports none. Whis- key bas advanced, and is quoted at 202. Kio colfee is dull. The rales ¢f the week, consisting of 6.000 bags, were mostly at 840. and $ Stock at this port is 65,006 bage. Montx, June 18, 1853 The sales of cotton for the week were 1,700 balsa. The quotations for misdling are 10 to 104 | The receipts of the week atourted to 500, and the exports to 1,300 bales. The stock in port consists of 22,000 bales. Provipence June 18. 1853. The cotton market has beer quite inac’ive through the week and prices are unchanged The exles of wool have teu lgbt—those of the week amounted to 23 700 Ibs ‘The market for printing cloths is in favor of the seller, prices still tending upward, Mere thao half the sales ere of goods to be made, The sales of the week amount to 61,100 pieoes, Polne Intelligence. JOHN A. CANTER AGAIN ARRESTED FOR PASSING COUNTERFEIT MONEY. On Saturéay officer Elder, of tue Second District Court. assistes by officer Ridden, of the Fourth ward, ar rested John A_ Csncer alias Chailss Day and Caarles Shepherd aliss Joves. a brothey in-law of the notorious Honora Sheyherd, who is now serving « term of sentence in the Sing Mog Sta’e privon for the passing of coua'er- feit bank bille. John A Canter is en old ofiender in the ‘ure of counterfeit money, having been convict ar 1846 for mennfacturing ba? money, and senterced to x term of seven years imprisonment in be Sing Sing State priton but at the earnest solicitation of the conviet’s fiends, Governor Seymour granted him a con onthe 4thof Merch last since which time. it Ts, instead of emplosirw himself ia an honest occu ion he hos contioued his former criminal operations in the manufacture and passing of counterfeit bills on tre Tent of Hellowetl, State of Maine. of the de- powination of two dollers. The bills are remak ably well exeonted, and are capable of deceiving almost any persons who are not very familiar with suca money. Une of these bills was passed by Canter ona Ger- man grocer, corverof Seventh avenue ard Twelfth street, and wany other biils have, ro douat, been pasced on tradespeople in different parte of the city, who oa read- ing of the capture of the guilty parties, will appear, no doubt, at the police court, and recognise the individuals unfer arrest. The oflicers, on srrestiog the prisoners, found im their pockets a quantity of the spurious cur reney, bills of the sane denowination. On the porron of Caper was found fifty $2 pills end on Shepherd, sixty bills of the ssmo kind. “There was also found $34 in good The accused partios were conv d before Stuart, who sommtited them to prison for a fur ther examination, Alleged Charge of Perjury —Oiicer Elder, of the Second Police Court. ov Seturday arrested two b-others nomed Robert and Daniel Wievberg on the complaint of James Stravss merebant, No 165 Houston street, who charged thet the sccused parties have sworn fal-ely ia a matter pending before Judge Duer, in the Superior Court, ina suit brought by the creditors for the racovery of 22.000. It appears that the defendants are pediers. and swore that they were robbed in Westchester county of their property. and therefore were unabie to pay their creditors Justice Stuart, who ixsued the warreat of ar- rest, dermed there was enough shown to make out a prima Sacia cave, and therefore helo both to bail in the sum of 81.000 each to answer the charge. ‘A Supposed Lunatic from Brooklyn.—The plice of the Fourth ward ou Ssturday arrested a man named Angus: tus Humber. of Ne, 147 York street, Brookiyo, who was suppored, by his «trayge manner and conduct, to be in are, He was taken from on board the ferry boat, foot of Reosevelt strest, without hat or coat, and on searching vis person razor and g silver watch were the only arti cles found. His money, it seems, he had left with the ferry-master on the Brook iyn side of the river, requesting bim to keep it until his returp. The police conveyed Mr. Humber to the station house, and the magistrate detained bim for safe keepin, Highway Rotbery—A Black Affair.—Officer Skoats, of the Kleventh ward police, on Saturday night arrested two black men named Georgs Cornelius and Theodore Ross, on a charge of attacking another black mac, named George Planes, while walking alorg the street. They held him down, ard by force atole from his person a watch worth $3.’ An alarm was “given, and the police coming. promptly secured secured the two guilty parties, and ze covered the watch, Disturtance in the Seventeenth Ward —A street fight tcok place on Saturday night, in Thirteenth street, corner of First avenue, smorg a pumberofmen. Paving stones were used by the assailing parties, causiag ® number of broken beads, ‘The police came to the scene of the dis: tur dance, and officers White and Moore succeeded in cap: turing two of the ringleasers, named Patrick and Henry Dorn. ond in their possession were found a bayonet anc adik knife Henry Dunn was seriousty cut on the fare by ome sherp instrument. Dr Budd was called, and dressed the wound, The two men were detained to an- ewer the charge. ‘The Convict G W. Roce —Officer Welling, one of the Chief's special aids, cn Saturday, conveyed the es: caped convict, George W. Race, back to Philadelphia, and retnrned him to the warden of the State prison at Cherry Hill, where the convict has a term of seven years imyritovment to rerve. ‘The warden took charge of the convict, and, according to the discipline of that estab: p was placed over the hend and face of the prieconer, be was then wa'ked to the dressing room, washed andthe prison clothivg put onhim and from thence, blindfolded, to the solitary cell, where an iron har or collet was put around his neck, as a punishment for escaping. Dyina Deciaratrons.—In a recent case of con- viction for murder, in Mississippi, which was appealed to the superior court, it was held that declarations, made under a full apd rational sense of impend ng di-solution, wire admissible in 6viderce; but that the Judge erred in cha ging the jury as if the statements had been regalar- iy swoon to in court, before the jury, The rule of law , dmitting such declarations, went only to the competency of cbe testimody. Ite credibility was a matter for the conrideration of the jury, under all the circumstavoes of the care as developed. The court did not think, however, thet dying declarations were entitled to the same weight e statements of the aame party would be if made wer oath ta cou PRICE TWO CENTS. ——_ THE CIVIL WAR IN CHINA. Contest Between the Chinese or Mj‘ and Tartar Dynasties—Character of the & *ople °f the Seuthern Provinces—Historical No~ ees of ‘he ming, Emperors, de. In our article on China, in the Hepp of the 14th inst., we called attention to the fact that the present civil war in that empire is a contest between the Chinese and T. stars, or an attempt on the part of the insurgents or revotutionists to overthrow the present Tartar Impei ‘ia! dynasty, and to’ place om the throne a member cf @ Chinese family. We ako gave a table of the succc's#ive dynasties which have ruled the Celestial Empire for more than four thou- sand years, and notived so.ne of the most interest- ing points in Chinese history. It may be interesting to our readers to add a few fixcts respecting the \wo dynasties which are now cont.+nding for the throue, and the rale of an empire which comprizes within: its borders more than one-third wf the popatation of the globe. The highlands of the: Fokeen, Leang and Kwang provinces, in the south of China, anc inhabited by a formidable body of mountaineers, the Mexow-te, or “Sone of the soil,” called also Yaou Jin, “ Wolfinen,’” which have long disturbed the tranquility of the central government. These Chinese repeaJers keve never acknowledged the Tartar dynasty, and are said to have amongst them the sc'ons of royalty ef the genuine old native stock ofthe Ta-Miag-Chaw, or descendants of the Ming dynasty, witiah was overthrown by the present Tartar dynasty im L6és ‘The mountaineers, or “‘sons of the soil,” are«an-or- ganized body, divided into eight leading tribes, sub- divided intotwenty-four, and again into fifty smaller branches. They are in many respects peculiar. They wear their hair all over the head, tied into-a knot a& the top, and ornamented with pheasants’ feathers and beads. They marry and intermarry amongst themselves, and choose their wives by their powers of singing, and the marriage ceremony consists merely of taking the measure of each other’s waiste, when the couple are declared man and wife. They are a brave, hardy, active, fierce and quay relsome race, inured to deeds of blood; their weapons are bows and arrows, spears and swords, with whioh they are quite able to make their independence res- pected by the Imperial authorities. The ouly con- trol that the government has ever been able to exer- cise over them isthe advantage taken when, once every three years, they come down to Canton to bay salt, a necessary that they cannot otherwise prooure; and as it isa government monopoly, the Mandarins refuse to supply them with any until they have en- tered into a treaty to be of good behavior for the space of three years; and on this occasion only are they to be seen by foreigners. As the tea plant thrives in these provinces to perfection, the inhabi- tants of the mountains have improved the most bar- ren ridges for the cultivation of this important shrub. Wherever the soil is too poor to admit of the oultiva- tion of rice, they plant the sweet potato, which con- stitutes the principal food of many of the people, The natives of Fokeen are also engaged in trade and fisheries, in which they exce} all their countrymen. Their trading craft is the most numerous, and the Fokeen sailors are the best seamen in any difficult enterprise. It is from the southern districts of Fokcen and adjacent provinces that thousands of colonists proceed to Siam, Annam, the Indian Archipelago, and recently to California, where they become the very soul of industry. They are otherwise an imperious haughty race, proud of their sterile country, independent in their senti- ments, and fond of a liberty which is almost un- known to the Chinese of other provinces. Their lan- gvage differs widely from the Mandarins; the dia- lects spoken are numerous, but they have reduced them to general rules, and published a national dic- tionary, which gives the pronunciation and explana- tion of the characters. When the Tartars invaded China in the seventeenth century, the people of Fo- keen province resisted these tyrants to the utmost, and in order to escape the vengeance of the hanghty conquerors they took refuge in theisland of Formo-a, which is only about one hundred miles from the shore of Fokeen, and its high towering hills are visible, in clear weather, on the peaks of Amoy and Chuen- choo. Fora period of several years Formosa became an independent county, but Kang-he, one of the Tartar emperors of Chine,a wise statesman, who suppressed the rebellion, declared an amnesty in favor of all the Chinese who had witidrawa to Formosa, This had the desired effect, and since the year 1683 the island of Formosa has remained und inese jurisdiction, butfrequent revolts have bro! out. The eastern parts are still in possession of native chiefs, who seem to have adopted the patriarchal form of govern: ment. It is in these south-eastern provinces that th? pre- sent civil war, or rebellion, against the Tartar dynasty has been in progress for several years,and among the mountaincers of theve regions it appears that the remnants of the Ming family, the Imperial dynasty which was overthrown by the present Tartar dy- nasty, two cénturies ago, have been preserved and protected. The member of this family who now aspires to the throne, and in behalf of whom his countrymen have taken up arms, is Prince Choo, of the Ming dynasty, but the proclamations issued by the commanding generals in his name, call it the “Thaeping, or Great Pacificating Dynas- ty The prince, whose success is confidently pe, dicted, is alluded to in the following remarks, in the Friend of China, an English paper, printed at Hong Kong, of March 29, received by the overland mail to London :— One of the objects, if not the chief one which wo have had in view, in furnishing the public with “highly colored’! pews of the progress of ineurrection, has beem that of exciting our government tos proper consideration of the course which it will be mecessary to follow when the climax arrives; for that Prince Choo, of the ing dynasty, (one of whose “advertisements” we pub- ished ws far back as July 1861.) will eventually succeed in his purpese, we have never bad a ce It is all very well for people to say that ** until iatel; it people con- nidered the disturbances as originating with a mere band of marauders, who hed no objest beyond the plunder and licenre of a day.” Assertions like these, we would tell the writer of them, are calculated to mirlead, and it cam- not now be said that the isformation we furnished from tive to time was other than authentic. In Feoruary, 1861, we wrote: — At n distance, a8 tho crow would fly, barely sixty miles from Canton, the insurgents are now sssembled im great force—their avowed chiect, the upsetting of tue proses uy- nasty. This information we hi the, vory bet aa tice of dispensing with t —this, lent to drawing the sword, and flinging away the so ‘Who will say that this was wot‘ autnentie”’ taf tio, and calculated to excite. if attended to, a cousidera- tion of the question ‘ what course will it be most pra- dent for the British government to pursue should the Tartar dynasty succumb, aud the reins of government fall into otherbarad-?'’ Our peace cryers at home will say--nothing. Lord Aberdeen has told us that the pew minist:y intend sirict adherence to the of the Iast thirty years, ond will not interfere wi the internal concerns of other nations. Beitso. What ‘hen? Failing in ita lication to the British goverm torat for lieipy Ose Joover will crave assiet- ment for help, the jeopardized dyne t; ance from the United States or frow Nanking will be ev sited ‘Staten pedition. now on the way te the Unit pan 6x " Chima, will come very handily to the aid of suche pur- pore. But we shall s00a know what the British ment intend doing; and we will say it for 8ic 3. @ Boa- bam that we do not think him the man to let other ma- tions take advantage of us in competition for first seats in the theatre. Kast India Company’s old servants are not troubied with se:upulous consciences, when a foot holding is placed at their disposal. Should Prince Choo, the desceadant of the great Choo-yuen-chang or Hung-woo—founder of the Ming dynasty, which occupied the ixperial throne for twa hundred and seventy-six years, be succesafal in ob- taining the crown of his ancestors, it is ta be hoped that some Chinese biographer or historian will give to the world a work on the two centurica of dethrone~ ment and seclusion of the imperial family, With