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Towns of Bloominggrove, Cornwall and Monroe

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West Point.--This place was deemed of national importance as a military post during the Revolution. At the close of the war, the deeply interesting point was thoroughly canvassed and considered, how can the country get along, be prepared for war, and how successfully defended without a standing army of some kind. Such was the public sentiment at that day all over the civilized world, that every nation must have a standing army; but here, the public opinion was principled against it, while the government and men of practical intelligence, were aware of the danger of wholly dispensing with one, and at the same time keep alive that military knowledge and spirit from year to year, which the future exigencies of the Republic might demand. After the subject was maturely deliberated on, Gen. Washington proposed to Congress in 1793, the founding of a school for instruction in the theory of the art of war. Subsequently, and when Congress in turn had duly canvassed the point, they passed a law in 1802 establishing the school at West Point, which remained a small affair, scarcely national in magnitude till 1812, when our difficulties with England became more threatening and truly ominous of danger, and the school was placed by the Government on its present enlarged plan and permanent footing. Since which time, many officers of worth and true military bearing, have been educated here, who on every occasion, whether in Florida, Texas, Mexico or elsewhere, have nobly done their duty and honored the country. Objections to this institution have never been wanting; with a certain class of politicians, Who had no better way to bring, themselves into notice with the people, and true democracy, than to declaim against it. We are compelled to say, from our best recollection, that those who knew the least about the instruction given, or its practical benefits, were the loudest in condemnation. We recollect no direct attempt to put down this institution originating with, and systematically conducted by, the talented, well-informed and patriotic members in Congress. The objections generally have been two; one, that it was unnecessary, for the army could at any and at all times be officered as well, safely and efficiently, from citizens in the walks of private life; as from a corps of educated men, thoroughly taught in the various learning of the military art, and, frequently drilled in army movements. The statement of the objection, carries along with it, its manifest refutation, unless we are prepared to admit the same principle as true, in the multifarious pursuits of life, which no sensible man practices upon. It is true, education does not impart physical courage, but it gives a confidence and inspires a prospect of safety and success; by means of which, the raw recruit and common soldier will rally with greater assurance of success round one, than the other. That it is aristocratic in its tendencies and practical results, constitute the other objection. The point of this objection has always been, that the school educated the sons of the rich and influential only. This never was true to the extent of excluding the children of less favored parents, and, if it were so at any early period, it is not at present, nor has been for many years. From the manner in which appointments are now made, this objection never can be well founded, if the representatives of the people are honest and true to the interests of their constituents. Every Congressional District is entitled to a member in this school, and if there should be more than one applicant, the War Department will always select the one recommended by the member in Congress from the district. The objection therefore, hereafter, cannot be against the school or the improper action of the government in the matter; but against the manner of appointment and the conduct of the Representative. We believe, that so honestly has this mode of appointment been carried into execution, that the pale-faced youth of the city is found side by side the stronger and more robust boy from the country; and the son of the poor and industrious mechanic, is seen shoulder to shoulder with the heir of him, who is high in office, or worth his thousands; all fighting manfully together, the battles of the country. Four years instruction at the Point, of the moat varied, thorough and searching character, must in the nature of things impart that, which no man can know by intuition, relative to military affairs. That there are, and may have been, exceptions to the rule, proves nothing; we speak of the general principle upon which all men act in other matters of interest in common life, and any person can make the application. The education is mechanical as well as strictly military; for, as we understand, the cadets are taught the duties of foot soldiers and the construction of all instruments used in attack and defence. Though opposed to war in every possible condition of things, still, until christendom be of the same opinion, and inclined to practice accordingly, we hold up both bands for the preservation of this school.

But to be more particular in the description of this locality and school, we offer the following remarks, kindly furnished by a gentleman well acquainted with the subject about which he writes, and for which we here return him our thanks.

“West Point will ever occupy a prominent place in the annals of America. It is intimately connected with the history of our, liberty and our existence as an independent nation.- At an early period chosen as a military station, it became the strong-hold of the army during the Revolution, and was emphatically the Gibralter of our hopes. The key to New England and the Middle States, it formed one of the greatest barriers to the operations of the British, whose hold and deep- laid plans for its destruction proved their well-grounded conviction of its strength and importance. Had the fiendish machinations of the perjured traitor been crowned with success, a deep-nay fatal blow must have been struck to the cause of Freedom. But the God of Battles was on the side of the weak and oppressed. He placed in operation those means which crushed the foul plot on the very verge of its denouement, and overwhelmed with disgrace and ignominy those who were lending their aid to its consummation. Never can we be sufficiently grateful for the intervention of Providence in this crisis of affairs, when the clark clouds of adversity which bad been gathering from all quarters were just ready to burst upon our devoted heads with all their fury; and render a cause, already desperate, absolutely hopeless. The Genius of Liberty had well-nigh winged its flight to more congenial regions, when recovering from the shock, it atoned for its momentary revery by sleepless vigilance, and axed its abode in these everlasting hills. The footsteps of Washington and Kosciusco have hallowed this spot. About a mile to the north is a beautiful little valley, almost hid by the over-hanging hills which lend their deep, cool, shade to avert from it the heat of the summer's sun. Its smooth beach is washed by the dark waters of the Hudson, whilst through it flows with gentle murmurs a pure stream of cool water from the deep ravine formed by the surrounding hills. Here was Washington's head quarters, and the retired little spot is at this day known as Washington's Valley! On the east the shore is bold and abrupt, and, even at the present time, wild, well-wooded, and picturesque. Many a miniature promontory and retired recess mark the general outline; whilst rock piled upon rock in huge masses gives a wild confusion to the scenery. One spot there is especially, where the solid granite lifts itself perpendicularly from the river to a great light. About 100 feet from its base it recedes, forming a level space of a few feet in area, when it towers up again till it reaches the table land above. This natural platform is reached by a long flight of stone steps from above, and is graced with a few shrubs and shade trees, and a fountain fed by a stream from the adjacent hight. This retired and romantic spot when in its original wilderness used to be the favorite resort of Kosciusco whilst stationed at the Point, and is still known as 'Kosciusco's Garden.' On the north the shore is less abrupt, and slopes more gradually towards the river. Bordering on the water's edge is the little village of Camptown, where are quartered the families of the soldiers and laborers connected with the Post. The Artillery, Dragoon, and Band barracks are in the immediate vicinity. Near the eastern extremity of this slope is the public wharf, at which all the regular beats land on their passage up and down the river. At this point are stationed the cannon which the cadets use in practising upon the target about a mile beyond, near Washington's Valley. A very fine road winds along the side of the hill, from the wharf to the plain above. Near the brow of the hill are two large stone stables for the cavalry. A turreted wall of stone masonry also encloses a square area, which is used as a place of storage a number of pieces of ordnance and various Revolutionary relics are deposited here: within this space also stand three small stone buildings which are severally used as a Laboratory, a Blacksmith's and a Joiner's Shop.