The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1894-12-12
MILITARY DRILL
In Public understanding the
Children to BlOOdshed.
Aiming the Middle Glass Against
the TOilers.


ton Arena, writes thus in the Ma
tional Waterman:
The introduction of military train
ing into the common schools of
America marked the triumph of the
military spirit of despotic Europe over
the long cherished traditions of the
republic. Not satisfied with teaching
the manual of arms in colleges, which
should be dedicated to peace and true
civilization, the high schools have
come under the curse of this bunting,
soul-shrivelling influence of war, and
so cunningly has this spirit of savag-
cry been fostered that the lower
schools are now threatened with it's
Infection. We are told that the ad-
miniStratiOn looks with favor on en-
larging the scope of military instruc-
tlon: and eX-PreSident Harrison, not
to be outdone, allows the admonitions
Of his acknowledged Lord and Master
to be forgotten in his desire to win
the favor Of capitalism and the Grand
Army, by exclaiming. ''It is good for
the boys, good for the schools, and for
| the country"
On the 18th Of May there passed I'M
der my office window sight which
saddened me for many days. 1t was
the spectacle Of more than 1900 lads,
of from II to 10 years of age, parading
in full uniform, all bearing guns.
| They were headed by band which
discoursed popular military airs. The
| little street gamins looked enviously
upon the boys clad in blue, with brass
| buttons, bearing standards and
marching to military music. 1 do not
see how any thoughtful person could
have looked upon the spectacle with
out feeling that the hands on the dial
of civilization were being put back.
TO the lover of peace, to the truly
civilized man and woman, to the high
minded patriot, such spectacles are
saddening beyond expression; they re-
veal the fact that, after our country
had reached the point where she had
by arbitration shown the other great
| powers of the world a nObler way OF
settling disputes than by awakening
the instincts of the savage in man,
and just at the proud moment when
it seemed that the flower of enduring
peace was about to blossom upon the
breast of the great republic, we fine
| UuC CIy SOluS lOIUll, W
form her from the worlds harbinger oil
peace into military camp; and thai
this may be effectively done. we fine
that our boys in the common schools
are being trained in the savage art OF
war.
Every careful student of human life
knows that the ideals and thoughts
which fill the horizon of childhood
color after life. If during the forma
tive period the ideals which fill the
child's mind be essentially noble an(
human, if he be taught that his mis-
sion is to help Subdue the savage il
man, to transform swords into pillow
shares and spears into pruning hooks
or in other Words to become a Saviou
of life and dispenser of happiness in
stead of slayer of his brother and al
angel of darkness, he will grow t,
manhood brave but gentle, manly bu
loving. He will love justice more thar
gold; he will see that the man who de
velOpeS the highest side of his life i
ever he may go the flowers OF JOY will
spring up, blossom and fling abroa,
their exhilarating perfume.
On the other hand, the child who
drilled in the manual of arms has cor
| OOIO1O l1lLl UuC uOul WACu IL
may draw the trigger which mean
death to a fellOwman; he comes t
love the sound of the drum beat, an
learns to long for chance to shoulde
the murderOus gun. He turns to tn
lives of Alexander, Caesar and Ma
, poleon; dreams of fame throug
Slaughter, of power through devasts
tion and destruction, fill his MIND
and by coming to believe it is legit
mate to kill his fellowmen when OF
dering to do so by superior Officer
the highest and finest eleme nts in hi
mind are benumbed. And l may sd
here, what l most profoundly believe
that there can never be an approac
!, to civilization SO long as the child
mind receives military drill, for til
) associations, ideals, and dreams whic
: necessarily follow in the wake of wal
: like instruction are so at varianc
} with the ideals which alone can re
, deem the world from hate, greed, an
{ injustice, that until children ar
taught to entertain a profound revel
; ence for human life, human right;
and for justice in it's broadcast sense
' humanity will not know what tru
| civilization is.