The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1857-08-06
RICE ONE CENT.
LOCAL MATTERS.

MILITARY EDUCATION is of the great
est Importance to the youth Of the South, and we
really hope that Capt. Dimmock can be induced 10
open school for the instruction Of such bows as
are desFous Of becoming tactieians. We know of
no oter man III this section Of the State 80 admi-
labiy qualified for teaching, and no one who will
usso'e himself so closely to the Improvement Of
- uuner MS charge. Holding possession Of the
liz doy' sapt Dimmock has beautiful grounds at
- evs 'r ior drlll. land being every inch a soldier
e iuiiy understands the true method of interest
Rictp Us p.piis In their studies. If the parents of
put their ha ~ouiu nave consultation. and agree to
them at II g. ~ military training. aid to keep
snrad IL %f certain period of time we feel a.
;a,.. ss't Sapt ID. would undertake. tho lshor ~
~ ue'ihg, anu perform il To the sat;ss.ct{o, IS
We know that some of onr r..,
preJndlced against the yolupteer s,,s. 80 stonsH
they nau the power TO do so, would nrav. i' ~ a. -
sons from joining any of those compan;a. ih tiieh
my say, such organizations often lead 10 intan,,
peIahce anu VICE II they right in their CO.
clusions, land we are not prepared To admit tp.
they are) and yet cannot restrain their son. vshn
they get old enough to become members would IL
not De wise policy i'll them, to make soldiers Of their
boys while too young for volunteer service, and
put them under the command and training of a
gentleman who would studiously guard them
against all vices. and at the same time impart 70
them that knowledge which they so much desire
to possess
Boys, like men, must have some "hobby" over
which to spend their idle hours and certainly there
IS none so likely to attract them being soldiers
Every little urchin, as as he is permitted tc
leave the nursery alone, is anxious to possess q
sword and a plume, a toy drum and a tin whistle
and soon he gets these, he is as ready for the
battle field as Napoleon ever was. Nor does this
military fever abate one whit as he grows older
See him at his school desk poreing over the history
OF his country, and how truly brave he becomes
as he reads the daring deeds of individuals in the
American army, when battling under the stars and
stripes and how he longs for manhood and a re
newai Of those scenes, that he, too, may become 2
Washington, or Scott. or Taylor. or some other
hero of those eyentful times. Even up to man
hood these feelings cling to him, and if in getting
his education, military instructions have been
omitted. the first step he will take after throwing
of parental control, will be to join volunteer
company, and thus become prepared to do battle in
his country's cause. should ever the hour arrive
when her rights are invaded. Almost every father
recoliects his anxiety in youth to become soldier
and many of them now regret that the oppOrtun
ty was never offered them in childhood of receiving
such instructions as are being impaired to the
Metropolitan Guard
But there Is another reason why boys should re
ceive military instructions. Under such An officer
AZ captain Dlmmock, they would be taught the i'm
portance OF obeying orders, of living temperately
and frugally, and of being courteous and respecf-
tul They will also learn to walk erect and to car
ry themselves gracefully, while their chests and
iofms VIII be developed, and their whole physical
structure improved.
If Il school is made m Captain D;n,nocl- cor
readily select such hours for his training as will
not Interfere with the other studies of his pupils
and thus impart his instructions when the bows
Will look upon them as pleasant recreation. The
arms used in drill can be kept in the armory ONLY
to be used in the presence Of the commander. and
whenever public parade is deemed advisable the
Captain OF this Juvenile army will be at his most 10
preserve order and to see that no ndscretious are
nduiged in. Looking at the matter in every light
i'll which we have been able to view it. we can See
no good objections to the establishment Of militia
ry school at the armory and therefore hope that
our readers may coincide with us, and that in the
course OF q few months we may have the pleasure
Of announcing the fact that Captain Dimmock has
at least one hundred lads from thirteen to eighteen
years OF age, under his charge, and that they are
making rapid strides towards proficiency in mill.
tary drill and discipline.