Cadet Life At West Point

by the Opposition. My case might then be considered almost a hopeless one. I had been told that he must naturally feel bound to reward, to the extent of his patronage, those who had placed him in office; and that, unless I could bring to bear on the War Department some influence more powerful than his, there would be little utility in any effort I could make. But I immediately resolved to make the attempt, and in my own way; for the less said about the political opinions of my relatives and friends the better. I was now sixteen years old, and there must certainly be at least one vacancybefore I should have passed the prescribed age. A little more than one year had been passed at the academy where I was now studying, and a regard for the wishes of my dear mother had, perhaps, more than any other incentive, kept me steady and studious. This conduct had secured the approval and confidence of the principal and the other instructors, the former of whom was a man quite extensively knowrf in that part of the State, and likely to command, indirectly, a considerable amount of influence. I immediately called upon that gentleman, and stated my wishes; whereupon he promptly volunteered to aid me to the extent of his ability. Although not himself a very active politician, he had many friends who were such, and was, moreover, an acquaintance of Mr. G., our member elect, to whom he gave me a very complimentary letter. Armed with this and some other weapons of diplomatic...