New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-11-20
NAVAL AND GYMNASTIC TRAIN
ING IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS Oh
AMERICA.

MILITARY, NAVAL ANDb1I N Acli' Ihh ~
ING IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF
AMERICA.
To he Editor Of The NJ Y. T,JaAe.
Sin: While the system Of Public Education in the
Free States is probably the most liberal and perfect
in the world, yet in one point it is sngUlary behind
the European methods, viz, phyacal and military
training. The prejudice which is urged that it would
engender military spirit detrimental TO the we'll
beng of the pupils, is not founded upon any sound
reasoning, aud such fears are unnecessary in the
United States, where Tho highest social and political
positions are the reward Of the useful and industrial
pursuits of peace. Military and gymnastic exercises
arc absolutely necessary to the development Of
strong, healthy frame in the school-boy, and are of
vital importance to the well-being OF a republican
government, which must be upheld by the willing,
skilled and strong arms of its citizens. We are
battling to maintain the Union, and riR maintain it,
but at the same time must prepare our children to
sustain what we bequeath to their charge. If mill
tary drill had been established in our public schools
ten years ago, the panic at Bull Run would not have
occurred; for trained from early school days to give
and execute commands, the officers and men of our
brave militia would intuitiyely have known that
senseless scattering. Again, at Balls Bluff, had
swimming been taught, or even encouraged by the
example or advice of public school teachers, Massa-
chusetts, Pennsylvania, and New-l ork would not
have had lament the loss, in the Potomac, Of 50
many of their brave defenders Of the Union.
If we turn from the national and military necessity
Of the case TO that of commerce, so important to
the wealth and prosperity Of our country, we ore
told by the ShpmaSters Association that the repuia-
ton Of our American vessels is doterioratng 20 rap
Idly, owing TO the ncompetency of the officers, thai,
unless something is done, quickly and eftectualy, to
provide remedy, foreign vessels will supeEsede onrs
in freighting.
sarely thcse evils which assoil the country q; this
trying moment Of peril should arrest the attention OF
tho Nation, and to it he following suggestions are
submitted:
In Europe toe advantages Of physical training are
appreciated to their fullest extent and the Industrial
Schools Of Fellenberg, at Hofwyl, the Polytechnic
of France, the Reform Schools Of Germany, the Ma
tonal ones Of Belgium and Holland, and tne labors
of Mr.. Edwin Chadwick in England tsee ErcRiHg
Post, Nov y, all furnish striking testimony to the
advantage in health and morals to the pupils and ma.
tona prosperity TO the State Of q careful and jude
ions physical training, more especially by the mill
tary drl. But in Europe, as in our pr c0ie schools,
il has been confined to the limits of the walls of the
different institutions, and must be remOdecd and en-
larged to a system suitable 10 accommodate the re.
quirements Of all he pupils educated al he erPeHse
Of tie STATE, thus forming nursery for noble and
effective State militia. The chief difficulty to be
obviated is tho successful working of a system at
once applicable TO the extremes OF small district
school, with a limited number of scholars attending
only at certain seasons Of the year. and Of the larger
cities with numerous schools in which great number
OF pupils are under instruction.
Commencing, therefore, with the crowded public
schools in cities, under the direction of Board Of
Education we can zee how benefciapbysical culture
would be TO the health and strength of those under
their charge, ii established as an imp1at're duty,
that such training should not be neglected.
The admirable work Of Catharine Beecher on
Calsthencs esents to us valuable and simple direc
tons for healthful exercises tending to strengthen the
Girls and younger children, and we therefore pass
rapidly 10 the military drill of the elder boys, this
being the more difficult, bet at the same time the
most useful field for prompt and energetic action.
MILITARY IXERCIsES In CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
lie. US take for an example the City of New.York,
and we find by the able report Of 1860 the whole
number Of males and females taught l53 OBS, and an
average attendance Of 50 sos, including the primary
deraltmcnts and schools. This vast number would
preclude lie possibility of more than few active
ard healthy exercises and castLencs for tic Younger
and by far more numerous classes Of pupils, not
would the military drill be beneficial TO them s
only in the Boys Grammar Departments that the
system could successfully be carried out and we lind
there Che average attendance is 1890? while the
Whole number under instruction is 2i,9so.
To establish thoroughly and economically Ills
military culture the Board of Education could ap-
point some competent person as Chief Of the staff TO
organize and carry out system OF instruction and
drl he TO have under lin two three assistant in
s;uctors of experience. These TO be the only per.
sons connected with the department beyond tie
scholars themselves, as il should he managed on the
principle of he 'rLote ir0rlAg fore of tic military
organization being obtained from among tie pupils
From the grammar departments of each school Il
company to be formed, or where the size OF the
school rondoScd il necessary two companies, composed
Of the boys whose good behavior and punc;ual at
tendance entitled them TO the hoacr The officers "a
be selected from the most deserving and competent,
and duly commissioned to serve as such by the Board
The officers thus selected to be instructed theoret
caly and practically by evening or afternoon drills
by hc instructor and bis assistants, in their respect
i've dnties and hey in turn 10 instruct their squads