Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1879-11-28

the better and more effective he was. The
sound and strong body contributed directly
to the strength and welfare of the State.
Abiding to the subject, the Providence
Journal, published at the seat of Brown
University, says:
We think il would be OF great advantage
if the modern system of athletics could be
made in some degree subservient to the
same purpose. and that our young men
should obtain some knowledge of military
training instead of wasting their energies
in improbable and useless sports. Rifle
practice, for instance, gives the best posi-
bic training 10 the eye and the nerve, and
requires the conditions of healthy physi-
cal system as absolutely as any of the more
exhausting and dangerous exercises. But
we do not know of Il single college contain
ing rifle club. The study and practice of
military tactics afford a most excellent eX-
ercise for the mind and the body, create a
vigorous and manly spirit and carriage,
teach subcrdination and cooperation, and
form an admirable school for manly develop
ment. Yet, although some of the schools
for younger boys have classes in military
training, we do not know of a university
of their own accord, or show any desire for
that sort of exercise, which is much more
Greek than the gymnasia. We need not de
sire to become military nation, or to cult
vate n spirit of military ambition. We have
no fears that a much greater fondness for
military exercise than now prevails would
do so. On the other hand, to be wholly un-
prepared for danger is to invite ii, and 10
rest in supine ignorance of how TO protect
society is to encourage riotous and reckless
attacks upon it, which may surprise us and
find us as unpreparcd and helpless as did the
outbreak of the civil war. We need not ap-
prehend that society will crash into ruin
from any Sudden uprising Of the dangerous
elements. The people of the United States
are too well educated honest and sensible for
that, and the element which is called danger
Gus is not powerful enough 10 threaten the
fabric of society but il is nevertheless true
that such a labor riot "A that at PttsburE
showed what damage may be done without
any adequate means TO suppress 1t, that the
mobs of great cities can repeat such outrages
as have been known in New York, and that
we have received and are receiving class OF
Immigrants whose trade is conspiracy and
whose instincts are for turbulence. To in
sure peace. if absolute safety is not in peril,
there is need Of better acquaintance with
the requirements of military service among
the better class Of citizens, and absolute
fiaccidity of muscle in the body corporate
is as injudicious as in the individ-
ual Modern military service and eN-
ercise is in itself one of the best
educators, anu might very properly be made
a part of the voluntary training of young
men. And not alone to the younls men OF
the universities. but 10 all classes who desire
the healthy development of their minds
and bodies, and the best welfare Of the coun-
try But since the question was more PAR
ticularly of college athlcticism, we may say
that il would be well if instead OF initiating
the Greeks in non essentials, and that the
flower Of our young men should teach them
selves the ability to protect as well ms to
adorn and increase the value OF society. The
same time and energy that is now given to
useless sports would do il, and give ready
hands and trained efficiency for needs which
we have no assurance will not come TO us as
to all communities that have ever lived. We
believe that such training would be safer
and better for the nation than in deputipg
our social protection TO II greater force oil
police or professional soldiers.
1t was doubtless with direct reference TO
the objects so well stated by the Journal,
that the author Of the Congressional grant
TO Agricultural and Industrial colleges pro
vided in the law, that military tactics and
instruction should be included among the
other practical branches taught in those col
leges. The Journal does not know | nj
versity where the young men form bat
talon; but in our Vermont University and
State Agricultural College the students form
a battalion, and are regularly drilled by a
West Point officer This military exercise,
beyond question, promotes physical health,
good order, and manliness, among the stu
dents. 1t does not lessen the standards or
the attainments in scholarship. The Univer-
sity turns oft better citizens and better men,
for the training