The National tribune., 1895-09-26
DUTIES OF A SOLDIER.
Interesting Report on Military In
StrucliOn in the Public Schools.

charge of military instruction in the puoilc
schools has rendered report on the progress
achieved so far, to the AdJutant' ueheral
GAR. Among other things he states that
Immediately upon receiving his appointment
as Snecial Aid in charge of this matter he ap-
plied to the several Department Commanders to
obtain the name OF a comrade IN each Depart
ment who was, in their opinion especially
fitted 10 act as an Aid upon the subject and
who they thought was willing to accept the
position AS fast as / received these names L
transmitted them to Headquarters aud they
were appointed upon staff.
The work which has been done in each
State has been rs rule, IN proportion TO the
energy and efficiency of the Department Ald.
He expresses his acknowledgements Tor the as
sistance received from them.
There being great need of literature upon
the subject he added to the pamphlet which
had been prepared by his predecessor, Capt. e.
L. Zainski so that it should contain President
Harrison's letter and the action OF the last
National Encampment. the reports OF num-
Der of interviews and letters from several
prominent men. together with some suggestions
as to how the matter should be handled in the
different schools and upon other matter in re-
gard to which information was desired vi
these $500 were printed. He has also from
time TO time printed q number OF circulars,
letters. And other matter The want of avail
able funds has been great drawback to the
work.
The proiect of introducing military in
struction in the public Schools" he continues,
seemed to those who originated it to be a
very simple and patriotic scheme which would
permanently ensure :he maintenance of the
Union and the protection of the country from
danger either from a foreign enemy or from
domestic dissention, and TO which no reasonable
man could object it has. therefore, been with
some surprise that they have found it opposed
from many sources and with much bitterness,
and that upon grounds which are not only III
consistent but contradictory.
The Quakers, being advocates of non-resist-
ance have always been expected to be OPP
posed 10 this as to anything connected with
war The Woman's Christian Temperance
Union however while loudly proclaiming
their patriotism and devotion TO the flag oppose
the idea of instructing the scholars in the
schools in anything relating TO the duties of a
soldier on the ground that 1T will make
them blood-thirgty." Many ethical writers
such as Prof. Adler, Henry George, William ID.
Howells and various scholastic authorities Tall
of whom also profess a similar spirit OF patriot
ism, also oppose it prejudcial to higher
education and having tendency Ito create
shirt of militarism." In other words, they
are in favor of flag and of the Republic. but
opposed TO any method of protecting the one or
sustaining the other. j must confess my as
constituent at finding among these the Com
mander of Sprout Post, 76 of Lockport, n. Y,
who writes THAT the youth of the country
should be educated in something higher and
better than the science OF numbering their
fellow-men."
Some of the labor unions have passed reso-
buttons against the plan, upon the ground that
"it will tend 10 create an army which viii
threaten the liberties of the masses" as if the
liberties of the masses could be affected by in
structing children of the whole people. On the
other hand, a few military men have opposed
il upon the ground that :" if the children OF the
masses who attend public schools are taught
the use Of arms il will endRDger the property
OF the country" as if such doubt as to the
children of the people did not, if true, estab-
lish our IN fitness to be a Republic.
Others, including some newspapers have op-
posed il as unnecessary, claiming that the
country can always defend itself by volunteers,
as il did in the civil war" as If volunteers
did NOT require any military instruction. But
the great majority OF the people and the press
throughout the country have been and are now
heartily in favor Of the idea, and the numbers
of those who oppose il is entirely disproportion-
ate to the extent to which they have secured
publicity.
The Posts Of the Grand Army throughout
the different Departments are earnestly and
warmly in sympathy with the plan. They
have exerted all the influence they possess
20 secure its adoption in the schools, and
their unselfsh patriotism M doing so con-
stitutes the strongest argument which can be
made against the assertions which have been
recently published against them and the Grand
Army.
The progress which has been made in the
matter has been very satisfactory, but naturally
varies in different sections. The greatest prog
ress relatively has naturally been made in the
Eastern and Middle States. There the popula-
ton is greater, there more large cities, the
schools are better attended, aud consequently
it is easier TO introduce the system than in the
States where the population is more scattered
and the schools smaller.
The greatest progress has been made in New
York State and particularly in New York City,
where is regiments Of 10. 600 drilled boys some
1900 OF whom were uniformed and armed pa
Taded on Memorial Day, and where there were
at the close of the school year 10000 receiving
military instruction.
The difficulty IN regard TO the introd nction
of the matter in the Southern States has been
very great. These States are poor, and any,
thing which involves additional taxation in
connection with their schools is impracticable
There is also considerable feeling in relation to
any matter which has its origin in the Grand
Army.
am satisfied that it will not be practicable
TO do much Of anything in this direction in the
South without the aid Of the Confederate
Camps. ] have been assured by Gen. Johnson,
who is the Commander OF the Confederate Vet
Grams, that be is earnestly in favor of the sys-
TEN, and that it will be brought up at their
next Encampment and effort made to act in
cooperation with the Grand Army in introduce
ing il throughout the schools of the South.
The Western States are strong aud enthusiastic
IN favor Of the matter
in Arizona the Legislature has passed an act
making military instruction compulsory ia the
public schools. j endeavOred TO secure the pas.
sage Of a bill by Congress 10 authorize the de-
failing OF instructors aud the issue Of arms TO
the public schools. is done to colleges but
the bill failed 20 become a law.
IL is gratifying TO be able to state that with
out an exception the teachers in all the schools
who have adopted the system Of military in
struction speak OF IL in the highest manner.
1T ia found TO make the boys more obedient
brighter, more particular in their personal APP
peaTence, TO create manly. self-respecting
spirit and bearing. and IN addition, TO make
them patriotic and loyal little American SOL
d3ers, particularly in the OF the children
OF foreigners who know and care nothing for
our country its institutions Ia the latter
respect alone its value cannot be oVeresti-
mated.
its value to the country in training its youth
so that they will be efficient soldiers whenever
they are called upon TO defend the Nation from
domestic dissension a foreign foe is apparent
10 every member Of the Grand Army.
Tic following is a synopsis Of the reports that
have received from the different Depart
ments:
In Maine Comrade Jonathan +. Ciliey re.
ports that in this State military instruction
d44fr agK..,u - H. III 49,