Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-02-23
TO THE EDITOR OF THE ENQUIRER.
mo. 3 |

NO. IS
We ask the insertion Of this communication, which
seems 10 be demanded by the Sd number of "Roane" in
the Richmond Wing, and will no longer impose our
selves upon your kindness
"Roane' asks the following questions "Can the
duties required be performed by the Public Guard be
properly and safely performed by boys: and, II they
can those performing them will have sufficient
leisure acquire education during the performance
of such duties; and whether the location OF the Armo-
ry be proper safe for the residence Of
large number OF youths fresh from their mothers or
their guardians care:
We have before challenged denial of this position,
that for any kind of military duty, whether for bodily
endurance or for rmness in the hour of DANGER those
between the ages of and % years the most to be re-
lied upon; and appeal to ancient and modern his.
tory and especially to the great campaigns OF Napoleon
in vcrifcation Of this assertion This, one will de-
nv, who will refer to facts rather than to his own dis
tempered Imagination But, if "Roane" will deny this,
he prepared TO say, that such naterel as the Public
Guard is composed of, 1--WE the enlisted men, not
The officers, of COURSE men picked up anywhere, made
perform their duties through compusion, IS better
than young Of high character, of pride aud anbi
on and between the ages OF I6 and p years. for those
important duties' We know he cannot say this;-and
does not the bill before the Legislature limit the Cadets
10 the ages from rs TO % years? Then, 10 leisure
for study, we have shawn in former numbers-and
it is not denied that the guard duty to come round
per week; about often at West Point leaving
5 or days in each week for study. Would "Roane"
have mnre' But the location is not good. This we will
admit; and, if The question as TO the establishment
of Military School, under special appropriation,
annie for erection of suitable Juudings &c, would
say, 20 farther from the city But here is TO be
erpenditure-the buildings erected and, By the way,
the dea that these moi suitable is IN keeping with
that which prompted "Roane" to say he could show
that the Cadets would get ono education at ALL and the
duties to be performed here; and The only question
is, shall not these buildings be occupied by Cadets,
whose duties in addition to all Mose performed 6y
tic Gward, shall be TO receive an education, by which
grea, individual and general advantages will be obtain
ed. But, while we say we would prefer another loca
ton, il must not be understood that think the pre-
an "unsafe" one for, with proper restraint, by
such rules and regulations existing al our Lex
lngon school, boys OF not less than sixteen years OF
age (rather beyond that age when mothers or a
guardian care is daily expected required) can be
safely placed there and well educated. Nor is the 10.
cation of the Armory more dangerous 10 the habits
and morals OF young than some, indeed most, Of
our best Colleges.
But "Roane" says, ''that military organization can
be relied upon that is based and steady
discipline, and that discipline enforced by punishmen,s
both in kind and degree, that school boys would
could stand for month, that public opinion would
sanction Tor a day, when attempted TO be applied TO
them
Would not this objection apply TO every institution of
the like character throughout cur country: low is
Il with our West Point, pray There have been the
rich men educated well The of the poor
the humble as veil as the influential. How, then
have these young "school boys stood the ne
cessaIy discipline enforced by punishment at that
place. They have stood it, no: only "for month,
but for four and fire years. and public opinion has
sanctioned ii, not only "for day. bu, from the time
of Washington And how does public opinion al
low our Lexington school to continue, if il would not
sanction "for day similar discipline here'
Blu; abolition is rearing lis gorgon head True
very true and more true than porenlous; and hence
this whole State-not Richmond alone-the whole
South-shouid be preparing for the worst Is the
Public Guard extending any fitness for this crsis'-
Is there any military spirit or education going out all
this State from this Gunrd' Does j, 90 than
protect Richmond And is Richmond the State OF
Virginia: But the depot Of is very large al
Richmond. Granted And we have shown that IT will
be well guarded BY company Of l40 Cadets, over is
years of age, in place Of sixty such as the Public
Guard is composed Of We will not 60 into any cal
culation abou, the difference Of expense between this
proposed School, and those Of Lexington and West
Point, because all that is required here, is the sum