The Portland daily press., 1886-06-22
FACTS.
Lewiston Journal
MAY TRAINING AT BoWDoIN.
The Prime Cause of the Contempt
for General Musters.
A Story Told Long Ago by Thomas 3.
Reed.

The following sketch is taken from a vol
ume of the University Quarterly now in the
library of Bowdoin College. 1t is descrip-
tive of May training. The author is Thorn
as B. Reed, then a senior in college, The
reader will readily detect much of the origin
atty and humor so characteristic of the Rep
resentatiye of the First district of Maine:
In the archives of Bowdoin College-mean-
ing by archives in this case the garnet of
Maine Halls to be seen an old and faded
flag. On ground of white is a bristling
swine, done in dubious brown. Astride this
fierce animal, holding on by the ears, is
full-uniformed military officer. Above his
head is the awful inscription, "Bowdoin's
First Heat" Thereby hangs tale. Deem
ing that the history of Maine would be in
complete without the recital we venture at
our peril to take up this story of demi-gods
and heroes.
As early as 1920, the students were annu,,
ally, warned to appear armed and equipped
as the law directs" Accordingly, being in
corporated into the town company, they oc-
casionally improved the good nature of the
inhabitants by choosing under their aston
ished noses, students as chief officers. Be
sides this, they INDUCED, say excellent old
ladies with suitable JUNCTION, in other ''high-
ly unbecOming and INDIGENOUS tricks" 1t is
credible, also, judging what is past by what
is present, that there was no lack of practi-
Cdl JUhcSs AZ ldSU, IL UClllS, tOO HUGH
for the towns people to endure, the legisla-
ture passed bill eXempting students from
military duty Then did peace, like the
deWs of evening, settle once more upon
Brunswick. Its citizens rejoiced in warlike
dignities. They became Corporals and
Lieutenants and Captains, and were happy.
Unconscious innocence little knowing the
future and the bellying cloud of disaster
above! But the military spirit was on the
increase throughout the State. .Valorous
individuals h talked Of FL. slaughter and Of glory
become citizen soldiery 1t is the only safe
ty for a free people. the only bulwark of
our free institutions" And the valorous in
dividual went on, as ever, conquering and to
conquer. AS the result of all this, in 1886 it
seemed good to the legislature of Maine to
pass law requesting students to train. 1t
seemed good to them, also, to make sarcastic
indicative Of contempt, which was
not wise. This Act, contrary to custom,
went into effect soon after it was passed. OF
course there was commotion in college,
Stump oratory was rampant. Every man
with gift of language and ability to gather
together six others, gave vent to sentiment
of rebellion in firm and determined tones
and backed them by irrefutabe arguments.
But it is a singular fact that even irrefutable
do not always hold sway in this
world, nor prevent warrants from coming.
Every student was summoned, sick or well,
it made no difference. For the selectmen
we're efficient and determined TO Sacrlhce all
things to duty-having an eye likewise to
ines. The collegians, finding that stump or
itory came to so little, held meeting, heard |
speeches, passed resolutions of compliment |
ary nature, and determined to train. From |
hat time it seemed as if college had become |
| barrack. forward march" Fright and |
eft oblique" were the only sounds to be |
leard At dinner instead of peaceful requests
o pass the potatoes, rang the warlike com
nand to march down that detachment of
,eef steak, or order out that platoon of pota-
oes or squadron of pie. Meantime active
Preparations went on behind the scenes. Only
ometimes, by glancing at the windows. you
night see ''6ideous forms shrinking from
light" and fancy College had turned menag-
RE and all the animals got loose.
AT length came on the eyentful day The
oil of war-drums and roar of artillery her
lded and ushered in the dawn. The rays Of
he rising sun slanted across the baleful ban