Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-01-26
RICHMOND:
WEDNESDAY, MORNING. JANUARY az |
Military Ssi,,sa,A, icar "

WEDNESDAY, MORNING. JANUARY 40
Military Seii,l a. "a tar Y.
In common with others. We telt strongly inclined
to second the suggestion OF the Education Conven
ton, when made, for converting the Atmory, near
this City, into Military School. The success
which had attended the School at Lexington, had
induced almost all look with favor uPon the pro-
position. 1t was supposed. that for tho guard Of
regular soldiers, there might be substituted a corps
of young men, who could execute all the duties now
imposed upon the guard and who. ut the sane time,
would receive good education. aud become salua
bic citizens of the Commonwealth at the public en-
pense.
Better reflection has satisfied us, that the scheme
is no, feasible at least obnoxious to very strong
objections The success at Lexington furnishes no
evidence OF a similar success here. The Armory is
upon the limits of large town, where the young
men would be constantly tempted dissipation, and
exposed TO braws and riots. The cost, too, would
be much greater here than at Lexnston-where
all the necesSaries Of life much cheaper. On
these grounds alone If the State desires to increase
Military Education, 1t would bo most erpedient to
appropriate whatever funds it may have for such a
purpose TO the ln,ltlte at Lex,ngion-io charging
the buildings there, increasing the professors and
augmenIng the number Of State Cadets.
But there Is another difficulty Ia the way IL is
impossible that bojy OF students could perform
the duties now exScled OF the Guard, and make
much progress IN study. Indeed these duties, many
OF them, are Of a character which young men q,
refinement, could not, for any considerations he'd
out Ivy the State, be induced to undergo The fatigue
doues," which onerous are OF this class But the
extra, though necessary dutes-such as guarding
the Penitentiary and the Capiiol-oueht no, to be
imposed upon boys-whose constitutions. the expo.
sure tn the weather would destroy or impair. Then.
too, the public property in The custody Of the
Guard, is of too much value 10 IL. entrusted to a
parcel of young men, not out OF their tcens-snd
with whom spirit Of lroiic and fan might, at an
important juneturc, prevail over duty aud ds,i
pine.
We have another objection, which many may no,
share with us to the conversion of the arnory INTO
a school for boys. That Institution owes as ori,in
to the State Rights spirit Of est Is the only sub.
S:antAl memorial Of that era-ihe only vi,ible and
tangible Representative OF State Sovereignty. which
exists amonss; us We would no,, therefore. dis
turb lit should Iemiin untouched-a neucius
around which to rally, in of dangers and diff
cu'ties.
Werepcai, that. ii the State wishes to increase
military education among the people, Il; its own
cost-the Lexington Institution furnishes the b,s
and cheapest means OF accomplishing it. Adiutnnt
General Richardson, in his Report, in December
last, threw on, suggestion on this subiec, worthy
OF the consideration of the Legislature. We annex
an extract from that Report. The suggestion re
errcd 10, IS confined in the concluding parasrapb;
The AdJutlnt General being, ex-ofFicio, n visitor
OF the military school, had the grtiihc ttion of at
tending the annual examination of the Cadets COM
mercing on the 18Th OF July last The result of
that eKamnaJ is before YOU in the report of The
Board of Visitors, and possibly am coin, out of
the line OF my duty in mentioning Il here | must
hope, however, to be excused for expressing the |
belief that the Legislature IN this Institution has not
only founded a nursery for valuable citizens. bur
Tor such officers oil the militia particularly IN war
as the State could never otherwise have obtained
Another examination before the resident board Is |
made during the winter, but considering the vast !
importance of this school 10 the whole State the per
feet PrnccabIity Of bringing the corps OF Cadets TO
Richmond, IN three or four days time, 10y water that
IN no other way can the legislative body form so 4
accurate an estimate OF It's Intrinsic value, reSpcct
fully suggest the exoedency and propriety of con |
ductins the next examination before the LEGISLATURE
NJ the scat OF government. They would thus have
Il in their power to judge OF the sys,em Of ins,ruc
ton, 20 detect and correct any errors or defects If
there be any, and am confident would have ocular
that the Military Institute Is emit
lied 10 occupy the highest ground in the public es,i
nation.
"But a portion Of the value Of this institution is /
yet developed. IL can, with sufficient means sup |
ply teacher for the common schools in every coun-
~ IN TIE State. Let them be selected from among |
Tie poor, OF respectable parenage and character 4
educated at the public expense, commencing at the
age Of l6. and required to give two years service
aiier they have graduated as teachers in the com.
mon schools, receiving however the emolumonts OF
N.F lou.
service in the army, which is required of the Cadets
educated at West Point: and with the more pacific
publications for insiructng the young, they will
combine the qualifications for military command in
line OF war. The amount Of civil and military
which might in this way be diffused
'ver the State, seems scarcely aitanabIe by means
u any other institution"