Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1895-05-02

FOLLOWING Is tne lllL leSt VI tns auuIesS
made by David Ferris in reply to Lieut..
Frier, u. S. A., during the discussion at
arecent meeting of the Board OF Educa.
ton. OH the subject of military training of |
public schools.
DAVID FERRIS ADDRESS.
congratulate Lieut. Frier on his frank
declaration at the outset, that he nor any
other military man would advocate the
drill as a system of gymnastics. BE re-
commends the drill simply and only
because it was an education which would
fit the pupil to serve as soldier. We now
know that the object of this drill is to pre-
pare our boys for soldiers, TO teach them
the art of war.
This is an entirely new feature Of public
education. 1t Is earnestly objected to by
large proportion of our best citizens 1t
would deprive some of the use Of the
| schools. A more complete physical train
| ing free from all moral faint and far better
suited to the development OF all the mus
cles OF the body Improving the respiration
and circulation and the general health of
| the systeIn) can be had without introduce
| ing any military feature and unob1ection-
| able to any.
Now would say to our School Board, is
| it right, is it just. to insist upon introduce
| ing this military feature against the feel
| ings and earnest protest of so many, when
every object professedly sought, can be
better attained without it. We would en-
| courage physical training that is adapted
to its purposes and the military drill is
not. The Delsarte movements are much
more efficient, and bring all the muscles
| into exercise.
For the purpose of physical develop.
ment there is no need to teach boys the
duties OF soldiers and to use rifles. Disguise
it as we may (but Lieut.. Frer makes no
attempt to disguise it, the real object OF
military drill in schools is to instruct our
boys 10 be soldiers and ready for war.
The movement for arbitration TO avoid
war is a most beneiceut and patriotic one;
and by its many difficulties that might
haze resulted Il war, have been happily
settled; among these are the Geneva arb-
tration of 1872 and the Behring Sea OF
1893, and there are many more. 1t has
now become the established policy of the
United States and Great Britain to settle
by arbitration questions arising between
them which cannot be disposed OF i'll the
ordinary course OF diplomacy.
The two nations have now committed
themselves to this policy. Now when such
progress is made to arrest the awful de
structon and decentralization Of war, is i
! true patriotism, is it Tor the good of on
! beloved country, that this spirit of strif,
I should be stirred up. Our present posi-
4 ton among the nations makes 1t certall
that no unjust aggressive war will b.
, waged against us.
II war comes it will be 4 war of injus
, tice and aggression on our part. DO w.
, want to train our boys for conquest am
oppression, ito cry havoc and let loose th
p dogs of war" to invade the liberties an,
rights of weaker nations. If we do TIL
q curse will react upon us and in invading
the liberties of others We may destroy gu
; own.
n Rome did not conquer the world unit
she had eXtinguished every yestge of he
|. own liberty. Let us say to this West Poin
n trained warrior that we do not need hi
i services, that we have better, cheape
Y and more efficient way for the physica
i, development of our boys way that need
e no guns nor uniforms, or the false glitte
a Of war. Let us take the advice of Dl
Y Dudley A, Sergeant of Harvard unive
/ sity (and there is no better authority o
h physical training. He says, Advocate
larger number OF gymnasia, and in tim
of peace follow alter those things thG
make for peace instead Of inviting war b
preparations for it. The true strength Q
ID our government lies in the virtue and il
telligence of the people; in reverence &c
~ Justice, order and law. We iniure OF
ie young people by encouraging spirit {
A. contention, false glory and fondness fl
"a the trappings and display of war.
l. The Women's New-Century Club of tn
no city has earnestly discussed this propos
ne and voted against military drill by a lart
ID majority.
III The First Day School Union Of Concoi
he Quarterly Meeting Of Friends, consistir
If OF the Representatives of Is schools
q. Pennsylvania and Delaware, ~ meetiI
Of held at wilmington on April 6th unat
re mously expressed its earnest dIsapprov
is Of the introduction of military drill in
public schools. and desired its expressic
II OH this question to be publicly recorded