Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-01-02
To the Boys Of Vermont.

NoRrHFIELD, W., January LIST, 1878.
The editors of some Of the leading papers of
Vermont have kindly allowed me the use Of their
columns to correct n few false impressions in re-
gard to our military and scientific school, which
exist in the minds Of many of the most intelligent
young men in the state
The first is that the school is in any sense CON
nected with the United States government, OF
that its cadets being trained for service in the
army Government furnishes an officer OF the
army instructor Of military science, and supply
of infantry, artillery and signal equipments with
q certain amount OF ammunition. but the cadet is
as free to come or go AS the student OF any col
ege or academy We simply hold that the cit-
zen of our republic IL not truly educated until he
is trained, not only for the callings of civil life,
but is capable of taking up arms in her defence
Our school has done this by furnishing in the late
war eleven general officers, forty colonies and a
great number Of officers of the lower grades
These men were engaged in the pursuits of civil
life or were cadets at the outbreak of the war,
but their military education gave them mmedi-
ate prominence.
A second impression is that our cadets devote
nearly all OF their time To the study Of military
branches Occasionally student Of some other
college calls on a cadet friend, and in looking over
his bookcase notices books ON the higher mathe-
mates, science aud classics. The student ex-
presses his surprise, and acknowledges that he
had entertained the idea that the cadet spent his
time on military subjects. We are military in
our government and discipline, and our routine
Of duty is conducted in strictly military way,
with an hours drill each day and military lee
tures are frequently delivered but in other re-
spects our course OF study is like that Of the best
scientific schools
The third impression is that the course is ex-
acting and hard on delicate students. Parents
sometimes fear that delicate boy cannot stand
the discipline The regular hours for going to
bed and for rising, and the fixed hours for meals,
with the drill, are the best means to secure inn
proved health b. such boys. Every consideration
and kindness possible with proper attention to
study ia shown cadets and the military govern
ment is never used IN Cypress them.
one more and less flatterng impression Is that
because we are military our institution is in some
way reformatory In character. This is wrong
We are not school for the correction OF bad fel-
lows. Our cadets are well behaved, and I feel
certain that any of the citizens Of Mortified, II
referred to, will bear witness To the truthfulness
of my assertion. II has frequently been the case,
however that young gentlemen who have had
difficulties at other schools have come here and
become our beat cadets. lhere Is something IN
| the military system, with its responsibilities and
the confidence reposed in the cadet officers that
appeals strongly to the manly qualities of young
man and deyeopes his character in the right
| direction Military drill makes a man graceful
and easy in his manners, and our cadets are al
WAYS noted for this.
| Finally, in regard Ia our curricHlt m-we devote
most attention 10 scientific, architectural, typo
graphical, engineering and English branches,
with the ancient and modern languages into
duced n suit the student There Is also a bust
ness aud accidental course Students leaving us
for other colleges have always gone into cores
ponding CLASSES with those they lett without
conditions.
NnAnIrs A. Cumrls, L. 5. A., President