Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-07-01
Ohio Teachers Association.

FIRST DAT-AFTERNOoN SESSION.
The Association assembled at 2 o'clock
The first business on the programme was
listening to a report on military instruction
in connection with schools, by E. T. Tsppan
of Cincinnati. He declared it to be the duty
Of the State to give not only mental but a
military education to every boy in the State.
The objection raised by some against giving
military education to the youth Of a nation,
that its tendency is to make that nation
Earlike and quarrslsOme, he considered to
be a falAeiOus one, and cited some Of the
European nations to prove his position.
Nations that give thorough military edu-
oatien to their youth are less WsrIiks and less
disposed to get into quarrels with other
powers than those who do not. Great na-
tiOns like great men are less prone to quarrel
than little nations or little men. There is
no danger Of our being more inclined to
strike our neighbOr as we become more quail
fed to defend ourselves.
The speaker proceeded to show what were
the requisites of a military education. The
great essential in goodness. A good man
will make q good soldier, and in order to
have good men we must make good boys
A man may be as good in camp as in the
common walks Of life. The first lesson ne
cessary to teach boy in a military eduea-
tiOn is how to take care of his arms, his legs,
andin fact his entire body-how to tako care
of himself. Another essential is immediate
and implicit obediance to superiors A man
is not fit to command until be has learned to
obey commands. The speaker would ros
give military training to boys before they
are II years Of age from u to l6 he would
ba-a- sl----.afy.'ag' TuTrUnIngs,
fasings and company movements. Boys at
that age can learn them much more readily
than men can. They would :afe a pride in
it, and besides it would constantly bring be-
fore them the idea of their country and the
fact that they were being prepared to per
form the work Of men and defend their cOun-
try. After sixteen years of age arms could
be put in their hand, and the use Of arms be
taught them.
The speaker advocated the establishment
of military school for boys in every town
ship in the State. He woald require the boys
to attend BY penalties and reward it by pre-
miums. All this, however, is matter of de-
tail. The result of ali this would be stand
ing army of free men. The State Of Ohio
would not be as she is now, hesitating. We
would know at once what we could do.
In addition to adding q military depart
ment to common school instruction the speak
er favored the idea of the State establishing
military schools to which boys carefully
oulled for their abilities to make officers, may
be educated to that end. He DEPRECATED the
system ia vogue at West Point, that of ap-
pointing to membership on Congressional re-
oommendstion.
On motion, the report Of Mr.. Tappan was
received.
Mr.. Hancock, of Cincinnati, wanted to
know how military education was to be at
tanned IN common schools.
Mr.. COwdry, of sandusky, thought there
was a good deal of indefniteness in the re-
port. Hs. had his doubts about war being
the normal condition of life and didn't be-
lieve in bringing up boys to think that it
was, either.
DR.. Catlin, of EIyria, eoincided fully
in the report. II he found any fault
with it, it was because it did not
go far enough. With regard to the question,
how shall military instruction be impaired
in schools he said the greatest military
school in the world is now going on. We
have Camps Of Instruction, also, like Camp
Cleveland. The country is'ih her greatest
peril at this moment, and cries aloud for aid
She wants the assistance of every loyal arm.
The speaker said the Association might pass
eloquent resolutions, but the resolution
which they should pass is "resoIved, when
this Association adjourns we will report at
lamp Cleveland for duty" [Cheers.] He
aid if he was a member Of Board OF Ed
uatiOn he would never vote to engage any
abb bodied male teacher. he had been in
the lsrvics, he said, for over a year, and
been twice disabled. If he recovered, as he
hoped to do, he would again engage in the
service of his country. Dr. Catlin spoke
with great earnestness upon the duty which
all citizens owe TO their country at this time.
A motion was made and seconded that the
report be referred to special committee
with instructions to present resolutions.
NJ ua-4vko-, -
adoption Of the report. He considered that
while sin exists in the world there viii be
wars ana Iumors Of wars. five have a right
to have eiVh government, We have right
to adopt proper Measures to preserve that
government. He considered that if the
North had been properly drilled in arms dur
ing the past year the rebellion never would
have occurred, The motion to refer was
carried.
Mr.-- moved that lady delegates
attending the convention, be returned home
free. Adopted.
A motion to return the dollar paid for