The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-05-07
MILITARY INSTRUCTION IN PUBLIC
SCHOOLS.

"
The movement to introduce military in
struction in the public schools, of which
the Journal was one Of the earliest advo-
Gates. is meeting with much favor. The
city of Rochester, New York, has just in
troduced the system. The school euthori-
ties OF the city of New York
have 1t under consideration. and
in the grammar schools eighty
action Is being taken in other cities of New
York. and the Brooklyn Eagle says the
matter win soon be brought to the atten-
ton of the Board Of Education in that
city.
The movement had It's origin in an adj
dress made by General Benjamin Harrison
to the National Association OF Teachers.
In the course Of his remarks he said:
The strength and defense of our institu-
tions, not only In peace, but In war, Is TO
be found in the young OF the land who have
received from the lips Of patriotic teachers
the story OF the sacrifice which our fathers
made to establish our civil institutions,
and which their sons have repeated on hun
dreds Of battlefields. The organized army
" IAlC OAlLCu oIdlCcR z IA VIC lA(Aa1t TIC
militia of the States, Is of Insignificant pro-
portions when put in contrast with the
armies Of the other great powers OF the
world. Our strength is not In these; 1t Is
In the great reserve to be found in the
instructed young of our land, who come to
Its defense In time of peril.
These remarks attracted attention. and
some posts OF the G. A. r. passed resolu-
tons indorsing them and recommending
49, -rt%.-r - 1Sx%to, ~ ,,t~oJ,,ood ,rto
the public schools. The committee on reso-
lutions OF the last National Encampment
Of the g. A. r. approved this
dalton, and reported a resolution requesting
the new commander-in-chief to issue a gen.
eral circular calling attention to the mat
ter and inviting the cooperation of de-
partment commanders ito the end that
special effort be made toward the accom-
plishment of this object" The circular is
sued by Commander-in-chief Adams recites
some Of the arguments in favor of the
movement and recommends that the posts
In the various cities, towns and villages,
by committees. public meetings and other
means. give their earnest cooperation and
support In securing necessary legislative,
municipal and school board action. as well
as to obtain. where required. national aid
by provision OF arms, equipments and in
| structors." Thus the movement is fairly
launched with the full approval Of the G.
A. r. and of many educators and public
men.
The arguments In favor of 1t are educa-
tional as well as patriotic. Under the lat
ter head 1t is urged with much reason
that as this government does not maintain
any standing army to speak of. nor any
military reserve corps. some means should
be adopted of instructing American youth
in military tactics In connection with the
| duty of giving their services to the country
when needed. The United States cannot
| expect to remain always exempt from war.
1t is impossible to predict when or from
what quarter it may come, but when 1t
| does come the country ought not to be
| wholly unprepared.
The physical and educational arguments
Il III IdNOE VI Tic mOfclucul dIc uOl less
strong than the military and patriotic. The
Physical development Of the young. which
is so carefully looked after in European
| schools, and regarded as quite as impor-
tant as the mental education. is wholly
| neglected In our schools. That is, there
is no regular system of physical culture.
Military drill would supply this want adj
mirably. 1t develops every part of the
body and furnishes the mental interest
that makes exercise beneficial. Outside of
physical considerations. the mental and
able. One of the strongest arguments In
favor of 1t is its effect, In impressing on
the minds of scholars the idea of proper
subordination to awful authority. Teachers
that not only is military drill enjoyed by
the pupils, but it gives them habits of sub
ordination, discipline and obedience which
makes them better scholars and easier to
manage. American boys are sadly in need
OF this sort Of training, and American
citizenship is the sufferer. The habit of
prompt obedience to superior authority,
which lies at the foundation. Of military
instruction. is a vital element OF good citi-
zenship and sadly needed in these days of
popular turbulence. The Journal Is dis
tinctly In favor of the movement to intro
duce military instruction in the public
schools and heartily commends 1t to the
consideration of our school authorities.