Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1860-07-19
Military Drill in Schools.

The Importance of this subject cannot be over
estimated, and has not, We believe received tho
attention it deserves at the hands Of those who
have in charge the instruction of the youth Of tho
United States. We have, upon several occasions,
expressed our views OF the importance If the reg
ular manual and drill in our school. and colleges
and especially in that which is located in our
midst.
There have, however, been some difficulties in
the way Of keeping up an efficient military organ
ization at Lynohburg College, for the reason that
i. has not been heretofore compulsory but at
recen, meeting of the Board of Trustees, it was
determined that all students no, preparing for the
ministry or those who were not physically disa-
bled should be enrolled in the corps. aud under
60 daily drill. We think that this was a wise de-
cision, and one that should be sanctioned BY the
public. In vndca,ion of the wisd IN and propr.
ETY. Of such policy we can pr, sent no views OF
our own that would be ms forcible AS he following
which we take from an editorial in tho New York
Post. Says the Post
Recurring to the subject of physics training
in schools, cursorily touched upon in our issue OF
Tuesday, we would ask il the present moment il
,.ot peculiarly fitting for the intr due ion and ex.
tension Of the system In own ms buttons
The schools are on the point OF 81 sing for the
summer vacation. In q lew weeks they will be
again open. There 10 time in the interval for any
changes that the Board Of Education and district
officers may think proper to introduce. We do
not suppose that n recent event will suggest any
departure from the practice OF reading the Bible
in the schools, unless it be to introduce practice
similar to that which prevails in Ireland, where
selections from the Scriptures uno9jeltionable to
any sect are read.
But 10 the matter Of Q better division Of the
studies Of the youth there is scupe Tor peaceful
discussion. Six hours of iatten, nee per diem
ought to admit of considerable diversity Of rur
suit. portion might be given uP to the aetua
study OF the lessons now expecte Ia be learned
out of school. when children either engaged in
meals. pastme and repose. or in assisting theil
parents in business Some part oi the hghe,
mathematics and philosophy nigh he advantage
ously Substituted by instruction IN ealing. Our
-e!'~u;an stands --:,rs;i!y in be-d If amendment
and halt an honr Oh military d. ~ Int US easil,
be bestowed upon the boys AS s,tstaenies now ar,
uppn the girls. The military o. tac,r.le is alread,
ia losr'' II the practise sou1aiilne, "A pied :.
.marcn'ng the bnvs ts music j., and out # tn,
glasses, aud requiring every m ,.ment to be regu
lasd b, touch VI the principals bell man
.ual sign Irsm teacher. = f'f .t
This. however, is insufficient. II d es not in
solxe physical training. AT solne Of best pri
vae schools drill has altogether taken the place
unregulaied gymaastics. and witt, the bet posi-
BILE results. We hear Of no cases Of rupture or o
broken limbs aud dslocatiors. The drill give
an erect carriage and expands the chest and lung
the marching improves the muscular p,wer u III
legs, n the uf the musket is fne exercise 70
.e atms. Moreover, by the necessity - .eud'p,
%. Ut the best trained and sie,iIest OF the boy
ps,ticipators in the rgulatioe of he actions o
Ne -sslsers. u field iHapsn TO honorable ambiioI
and the indiensish ST Aelf.resreet. 's
Aftlie prisasc schools n ndedts thcr~isA regu
lar x,aistius sf miIifsry rsDk, ft~m the corpors
% sl,s ssrfsiq sd proaotior can rnly be essns
by Close attention to asill and excellence Of ger
sral epndues. n nseiats Ffat onr schools nre ID