The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-04-10
ize every opportunity to strengthen the ties
which bind its members together.
A Preposterous Proceeding.


A Preposterous Proceeding.
Some time ago, as our readers will, doubt
less, remember, we took occasion to refer in
strong terms to the shameful manner in
which the study of the history of the late
war was being neglected or altogether ig
nored in our public schools, and expressed
the opinion that this apparent indifference
ON the part of our educators to the impor-
tance of instructing the rising generation in
the origin, purpose, and results of that
struggle for the preservation of the Union,
ought not to be any longer tolerated. We
pointed ont that unless the lessons of that
mighty conflict were properly impressed
upon the plastic minds of the young, and
they were made to fully comprehend the
value Of the sacrifices which the defenders
of the Nation made to maintain our free in
situations, there would be danger of a serious
decline of public patriotism in the near fu-
ture, and We urged it as one of the special
duties of the Grand Army to do all within
Its power to avert such calamity We
still more deplorable departure from the
principles which should govern the policy
Oh our educators. We allude to the recent
action of the trustees of the Iowa State Ag-
rleuitural College in removing a gallant
Union soldier from the chair of military
tactics and appointing an ex-Confederate in
bis place. We are at loss to understand
what motive could have prompted such
singular proceeding. General James L. Ged-
des, who has hitherto occupied the chair,
served with distinction on the Union side
during the late war, and enjoys an unblem-
ished reputation, and, so far as we know,
there was no adequate reason for his re-
movai. But even supposing that there were
good grounds for his dismissal, how did it
happen that the trustees, ignoring the fact
that there were many other ex-Union off
GERS competent for the place, chose as his
successor man whose military experience
had been acquired while in the service of
those who were seeking to overthrow the
Union? If as we suppose, the object of
maintaining a chair of military tactics in
this college was TO afford the students such
training in the use of arms that the State
could rely upon them for effective aid in
case there should be occasion for their serv-
ices, surely it was of the first Importance
that the incumbent should be person of
unquestioned loyalty, instead of an officer
whose record was that of an enemy to the
Government. For aught we know to the
contrary, Captain Lincoln-the new APP
pointee-may be very learned in his profess
sion, but no person, however accomplished,
ought to be intrusted with the military ed
ucation of cur youth, who has ever drawn
his sword against his country It is no
wonder, under the circumstances, that Perry
A. Newell Post, No. 232, of Birmingham,
Iowa, has adopted resolutions denouncing
the course of the trustees in this matter,
and calling upon the parents and guardians
of the students TO withdraw them from the
college unless their action is rescinded, and
we trust that the other Posts in the Depart
ment viii be equally emphatic in the ex-
preston of their opinions. The State of
Iowa furnished fifty thousand men to help
put down the rebellion, and as our ex-sol-
diers are to-day very numerous element
of its population, they have right to de-
mand that to loyal hands alone shall be
committed the responsibilities of education.