Grip hands with us, strengthen our hearts—
As the long line stiffens and straightens
With the thrill that your presence imparts.
Grip hands, tho’ it be from the shadows,
While we swear, as you did of yore,
Or living, or dying to honor
The Corps, and the Corps, and the Corps.
A few years ago the first class was given permission to have a club and the First Classmen’s Club was duly organized. At first the club had a room on the ground floor in the Academic Building, but now it has fine quarters on the second floor in the new North Cadet Barracks where, when it does not interfere with duty, members may go at any time between 7:15 a. m. and 9:30 p. m. and until recall from the hop on cadet hop nights. The club provides, at its own expense, such periodicals, newspapers, chess, checkers, etc., as may be approved by the superintendent. Refreshments of all kinds, gambling, cigarette smoking, and deliberations or discussions having the object of conveying praise or censure or any mark of approbation or disapprobation toward any one in the military service, are prohibited. On the week-day immediately preceding the graduation exercises, the club gives a reception to the members of the second class to introduce them to the privileges they may soon enjoy.
The transformation that of late has been wrought in the architectural setting of West Point, the changes made in the method of teaching and in the disciplinary ideals, and the greater privileges granted to cadets all tend to bring the Military Academy closer to other educational institutions of the country.
As a school year closes there is much interest taken in the changes soon to be announced in orders.