Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1858-09-16
.JkrrERsoS CADETS.

boys between the ages Of ; aud lb-pumb,r-
ing more than 80, officers and soldiers, gave
an exhibition OF military tactics, rarely sur
passed by veterans. The boys conducted
themselves With perfect propriety, not only
in the ranks but out. The battalion drill Of
this company vas really remarkable aud
would have been 50 considered IL performed
by regulars in tho service. The dress pa
rate was beautiful Capt Bolts may we'll
mander-and Chsrlestoun Of such . comps-
ny MCpherSstOrs Registey.
We are glad that the above extrset from
tho R>gisteT was written aud published -
1t has given rs AZ opportunity Of doing What
We have long intended to do. For some timo
the efforts which the Captain Of the Jefer'
son Cadets has rendered for the instruction
Of bis youthful soldiers, snl tho success.
Itch those efforts have met with in thepro-
heiepcy witch the young men exhibit on pa
radc, have been matters both Of prils aud
rejoicing with Us. The enterprise at 6rst
was 70 our inspection . doubtful one -wo
did not predict success Boys are irregu-
lar, unsteady, full Of impulses that reject
discipline and men closely engaged with
che business Of civil life soon loose their
interest in schemes which promise no perso
nal advantage aud when the difficulties 10
be encountered are frequent and vera,ious.
Itgave US pleasure to 6nd, however, from tho
start, that the organization Of corps Of boy
into we'll drilled company was probable
thing, when the Captain took the precsu
ton to inspire respect and obedience as well
as interest for tho matter which occupied
them.
We think the creJitable terms in which
the editor Of the R,giSter mentions the mill
tary movements Of our young soldiers will
be regarded as none too asttsring to be con.
sistcnt with truth. Whoever has seen them
on their parade must have boea surprised TO
have witnessed tho precision and readiness
with which they execute com plicated and
apparently diihcal. movements. TIE manner
OF handling their guns-the single thump Of
the butts Of tbe guns on the ground At the
word order arms, the concert Of move.
ment, 1t support. present, or carry, are
wonders when We remember what boys are
There IS something too, in the air { the lit
Gle fellows when on parade, that suggests
that the spirit Of war, courage aud resolution,
are at play in thei, bounding hearts Their
faces are animated with tho feeling, 90 as
aim ost to suggest to Us the extreme preba
bility that Wcrethc game changed from min
ic to rcsl-werc they confronted with
real enemy and provided with muskets, pow.
der and ball, their late escape from the nur.
ser, would not prevent them from charging
and firing with steady step and unaiucbing
nerve
Fortunately, however, for them as for the
world these times are times Of peace Their
courage will not be, aud may never 10 tho
course Of their lives, be brought to the test.
But no matter, the lessons nov learning are
still ayailable-the preparation Of = warrior
for battle with but slight modification is the
preparation for the warfare to be sustained
in all the walks Of life. High courage, U oble
selfsacrifcc, lofty magnaDimity, obedience to
cOns;itute1and appointed authority diligence
>
sites equally in every other profession and bu.
siness The youth whose heart is mbued with
these qualities caught from the sporiiye train
ing on the street, and the parade ground may
have no fear that his acquisitions arc lost
ia = time Of peace-turn where be Hill-en.
gage in what be may-each and every one Of
them will have ample room for its use and eI
ercise-for peace hath her victories no
less renowned than war
The community We suspect has more 10
congratulate itself on 10 the organization Of
this boyish corps, than they are disposed at
hrst to Admt. The two months of vacation
BY which tho teachers Of youth relax from
their toil-sre dreaded by parents and guar
dams, as season ~ more than ordiaary an.
noyanco. The boys, released from their task
work Of coming books and getting logged
are poured from the schools upon the village
10 a tbreatning number aud with . threat
ming aspect. Their ordinary mercuriAlity is
Increased hundred fold With tho prospect
Of two whole months Of holiday ind nothing
W H"' ihtlt iAcutttcsi tuat nave 50 nuch
inherent aptitude for mischief, are sharp.
euod into extraordinary activity They are
fall Of s;hemes, BY which the town is 10 DO
Inundated with noise, With trick and With
idleness- schools over boys hufrah Tor faul'
Is their cry, then Genes the routine q old
studies ~ new experiments Acoustics are
found to 10 best appreciated BY tying tin.
p'n' to dog'' tails The properties Of heat
arc evolved 10 euriously striking manner BY
pouring boiling water on the sleek fur II Mis-
tress Puss, aud the laws ofeurvss are beauti.
fully illustrated by hsrIibg stones 10 the air 90
that they fsIl 11 s1nibllys Eindow panes.
or tie young gentlemen exercise themselves
"a rhetoric snd dictate, BY collecting ia noisy
squads 90 the oorners 4 the streets and dis
oussing tho plans u engagement add msrri.
meut for the yarious portions n The day or
overcome With tic beat tnd fatigue pile Cd
masses 4 siofeboEc' until they look ike
piles 4 uuassortei storegoods. In anyo
these uay' they ars either ear sores o. eye.
sores Their noise either dsafsns YOU or
their ltstlt"rc's 'uFgsstsai thoughts u
90 Idle, a dissipaicd mauh5ol that NAY