Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1870-09-28
NEW SERIES--V0L. II, NO. II,
The Benefits Of Physical Education

Tie Benefits Of Physical Education,
All the world is surprised at the
great marches which the German ar
mics, now successfully invading
France, have accomplished, and the
enormous amount of physical fatigue
which they have shown themselves
capable OF enduring, with very liitlc,
If any, detrim2nt to their health
Correspondents state that the German
forces now approaching Paris look
healthy, hearty, and robust, in the
highest degree, and seem, actually, 10
have improved by their two months
terrible exertion. In general point
Of view, this result is Of course ascrib
able, in the FIRST place to the sturdy
constitutions Of tho Germa0ic race /;
but the faculty Of endurance ~ the
midst OF tncse spcciui rviis ur,i vfIvs,-,
is duo to the physical trimming as boys
at school, and students At college, be-
fore they ever entered the ranks Of
the army. Gymnastic associations
arc rife all over Germany for the phys
ical tuition Of youth and bodily
strength and agility are considered
Iittlo less desirable in Fatherand Than
mental proficiency. There Is not n
commune or a hamlet in Prussia that
has not some establishment OF tho
kind aud we may judge Of the favor
with which these schools, as places Of
meeting and mutual exercise, are re
garded in country where political
life is reduced to such narrow limits
by the great popularity OF the Turner
Societies established by Germans in
the United States, where the masses
have so many free outlets for their
enthusiasm These associations have
sprung up all over the United States,
and they are doing good for US by nc
customing our own young people to
an admirable example, exciting their
emulation, AMI suggesting new, limo
cent, and attractive sources Of amuse.
ment. In this country, although il
must be admitted that there has been
great improvement of lato years,
physical education for both soxes has
been sadly and ioolishly neglected. We
have too long entertained the siskly
notion that pale faces and profound
study necessarily 90 together. ReaI
science perceives no reason why the
body should not retain its vigor, the
eye its fash, aud the check It's glow
because man is an industrious stu
dent On the contrary, it demands
that the scholar above all others shall
be man of health. His native and
acquired intelligence should especially
/ fit him to know how to manage the
body, and regulate his hours OF labor
of relaxation, and OF reposo,
Our schools and colleges are just
resuming their classes for the An
tumnal aud Winter season Thcil
muster roll of pupils has mover before
boon so foil as il is now, and, oonsc
| qnontly, their responsibility has nev
cr been 80 great. Therefore, W,
trust that the great number Of then
I which our voice reaches may giv,
more and more prominence TO lhccnu
sidorations that influence our article
Let them make gymnastics, to mod
crate extent a fixed part of thcii
course Exercise in the open air i,
health to both body and mind, nnc
the "sound mind IN sound body j,
the best condition Of useful efficiency
Tho pupil aud the Office desk th,
garden, the field and the ships deck
the counting house and tho bureau
all have a paramount interest in seen
ring healthy and active men 20 oceu
py them, and when nations are lorccC
TO stake their safety or honor upon
the vicissitudes of battle, they want
no weaklings in their fleets and ar
mics, but such strong limbcd quick
sighted, iron.nerved men as thosI
who have just levelled the pride OF I
military usurpation beneath the Hor
culean blows, and have secured unitl
and unmolosted liberty, we trust. io
all Central Europe.-N Y Hercaa
tile Journal