Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-04-09

maLy years been Q regular study anu
exedcise in the higher grades OF schools
In tile cities. The High and Latin School
regiment of Boston numbers 1900 mem
ber9 regularly organized and equipped
with uniform and acc0utrements; and
In tieir parades and ev0lutions In public
thew compare most favorably with the
best militia troops of the state. The
gralnmar schools are now rapidly organ
izink cadet companies for study and
drill. and the boys enter into the compe-
titiCn with zeal and emulation that
putA base ball and other sports away 10
the khade. An exhibition OF a thousand
Of those scholars in New York city was
recebtly witnessed by a delegation OF
stati governors and Grand Army OIL
cial!; and as result, 10000 public
schdol cadets will parade and take part
in The exercises Of the coming Memorial
Day In that city.
BIZ the efforts OF Lafayette Post OF the
Grahd Army, In New York, the board
Of education OF that city have approved
andi adopted aplsn OF military educa-
tionl and bill is now before the New
York legislature, making such education
COMPULSORY and the law will undOubt-
edlN be enacted. We are simply antlcl-
patibg state and national law on this
subject. Governor Cleaves OF your own
statt Is highly in favor Of the project,
audi Gen. j. z. Cilley OF the First Maine
Cav1lry, and late the adjutant general OF
Msihe, has already been instrumental In
having companies organized In Portland,
Bath, aud Rockland. John a. Andrew,
the great war governor of Massachu-
seth, In one Of his inaugural addresses
to the state legislature said: Just so
muth as may be accomplished by our
youth at school will be spared from their
military training after they have become
adults. Rudimentary military
instruction, tuition aud practice, In the
martial OF arms, the school OF the sol
diet company. and so on, may be intro
ducld into our everyday schools and
academies, and may be impaired to, and
enioiEed by, boys, disconnected with their
litehry education, with manifest advan-
tsgd. Gen. Benjamin Harrison, our late
president, says: at Is good for the boys,
good for the school, and good for the
couhtry. Ii has q value In commerce rs
we'll as in war. What the man and the
ciriJen ought to know, In order TO the full
di. charge of duty TO his country, should
be Impaired to the boy" And, AZ an
utAority dating back to the time OK the
mad whose life we honor to-day, Gen.
Kndk, who was secretary OF war under
the administration Of George Washing
ton favored the military education OF
boy}, as proper foundation for good
natibnal military system" The republic
of switzerland has maintained its indie
pentence for more than 800 years, and
thad without a standing army. Military
edutation is compulsory, and any boy OF
| Is Wears can teach the manual OF arms
eye1y schoolboy, when graduated from
school. Is n well fitted and educated sol
dieH And so | might 60 on, with argu-
mer|t and endorsement.
what is the practical applications !
recdmmend for a school OF this size and
kind military instruction and drill, In
pla4e of any other physical exercise or
cali kthenics.
I'd the marchiugs, facings, and what l.
terrbed the ''setting up drill OF the sol
died, the girls can very appropriately
and properly take part, and gain equal
adyhntage with the boys. The necessary
discipline, regularity and precision OF
actibn, orderly department, alertness OF
: he eye and ear, physical training and
eytlopment, and the element OF patri-
otid enthusiasm, Is OF great advantage
TO both sexes, and teaches lessons and
hablts that are always useful In many
wajs, other than being professional
soldier. :,
Direction may be made that In a small
schbol, OF both sexes, there are not
htlars enough to make the plan prac-.
tical. Military organization allows OF
the smallest number, even to a unit.
Squhds, or details of four, or two men,
canlstudy and drill TO advantage.
Ilwill leave the subject here for your
thobghtful consideration, hoping that
thiI introduction may be an incentive 10
substantial action on the part OF the
schbol authorities, and the parents and
friebds Of the pupils.
With the American dag floating over
the schools, and military instruction
taukht beneath Its folds, we may live to
beaIieath TO our children legacy oi
mole worth than gold; knowledge and
Jer that shall Withstand all external
and Internal assaults; peace that
springs from power; and prosperity
thai shall be the wonder and emulation
| OF All other lands and people.