The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1874-06-27

The military expenses OF Vermont from
1866 to 1873. inclusive. Morc as follows

These figures were furnished hy the state
Auditor
Probably no state has had larger or
better militia during that period for less
money. | lately visited the armory of Il
single regiment in New York city. for
which the stale or city paid an annual rent
of 100000. Moreover, Il militia, except as
a nucleus, seems to he adapted only to the
more dcnsely populated sections of the
country, where it is es, eutal to the ordinary
preservation of good order and enforce
ment of the laws.
The question recurs what preparation
tor war can there be consistent with free
institutions and the genius OF our people
My answer is more general military edu-
cation. In this can sec great advantage
to the nation and individual, without sacr-
flee or danger Education IN its best sense
is discipline. Military science, in so far
as it is u distinctive science, is an applica-
ton of the higher mathematics, which Is
one of the sevcrest methods of discipline.
Military tactics are Il discipline of the
body, usually pleasing to youth, therefore
advantageous to the best development of
the body, which is essential to the best de-
velopmcnt of the mind. The military
branch does not exclude any other branch
of education, but on the other hand almost
every department of knowledge is essential
to complete military education. The
responsibility of military position in the
highest grades requires the broadcast cul-
ture. The great defect of our military
schools in this country including the Yves,
Point Academy, has hitherto been the
limited scope of the curriculum. Tho
graduates have not been educated men in Il
liberal sense. Until within a recent period
| the common schools of Vermont afforded
a sufficient preparation in their ordinary
course of study, for boys to enter West
Point, and in four years they have come
out with completed school education,
and entered profession, the duties o.
which, in its lower grades, required no adj
ditional book knowledge, but tended rather
to divert the mind from study. And sc
upon this class of men starting with n very
limited education except in Il purely mill
tary sense, and growing in years aud rank
in pursuit not particularly requiring OF
adapted at first to scholarly investigation
until the highest grades being reached. the
vast responsibility is finally committed OF
performing the numerous and diff
ficult duties connected with the
military department of the Republic
where oftentmes the greatest learning an(
broadcast craftsmanship are demanded, il
addition to attachments in military science
and art in their strict sense. But fortunate
ly the remedy for this defect is being ap
pied. The standard at West Point ant
elsewhere in military schools, is being raised
Our military men will hereafter as Il rule b
men of better preparation aud create
learning One advantage which militar.
school has over other schools having il
other respects the same general course o
study, is the habit Of cXactness, precision
and method, which pertains to militar,
system everywhere. The importance o
this habit in all departments of bushes
is well understood IN business circle
and recognized among teachers.
is in fact the aim of all schools, to accom-
lish the same result III this respect. 1t i
probably no where so well attained as in
school where the military system is tn
basis of discipline and exercise. The nc
quirement of military knowledge is ais
conducive to, and promotive of spirit o
loyalty and patriotism, without which II
government can long be upheld.
The natural thought Of the boy in az
Quiring this knowledge, is the advantage
will afford him as the defender OF n
country in the hour of national peril.
would rarely If ever occur to him that h
would throw the advantage of his mlitar
education in the scale against his countr,
In his military studies he fights the battl.
of his country, in imagination, with you'll
full ardor, and finally comes to look upo
the old flag with the affection and enthus
asm of veteran, who has followed it
victory and defeat on q hundred fields. b
a more general diffusion of military educ
; ton there would not be an increase Of d