The National tribune., 1896-04-30
AMERICAN GUARD
IN WASHINGTON.
Splendid Success of Military InStruc-
tion in the New York Public
SchOOlS-A Battalion to Visit the
National Capital Escorted by La
fayette Post, GAR

No. 81, in New York City. by Prot. Boyer,
It's Principal. He had an idea that military
drill would tend to make the boys more at
teniive To their studies, more obedient to
orders and respectful to superiors, more erect
and manly, and, III fact, to create an esprit
de corps equal to that III regular military
schools.
This attempt was made about three years
ago. and was n perfect success from the
start, and Principal Boyer's anticipations
were more than realized. The boys began
to take more pride in their personal appear
ance, were more erect and manly in their
bearing, more respectful and Obedient to
their teachers. and more perfect IN their
studies. The old system of gymnastics nd
not accomplish this 1t had tendency to
make the boys registering and unruly, and
in many instances TO impair their health by
over-eXe'tion and practice. A drill-master
was'engaged, and the boys entered into the
spirit OF it With the greatest enthusiasm,
and the result was the formation of a bat
TALON. the equal of which did not exist III
the National Guard or the Regular Army.
The successful experiment reused Laiay-
cite Post, 40, Grand Army of the Republic,
which is the leading Post IN the Depart
ment Of New York, aud one of the finest in
the country, to adopt a series OF resolutions
lavOring military instruction and drIll IN all
the public schools of the country, thereby
creating an immense army OF trained sol
diers able to take the field at q moments
notice, and able to cope successfully with
foreign enemies or domestic foes. These
resolutions were referred to the National
Encampment two years ago, and were otti-
cially Endorsed.
A Special Aid was appointed, with assist
ants i'll every department, to promote this
object The preliminary work was severe.
The various Peace Societies Women's Christ
ian Unions and the Quakers opposed it
vigorously on the ground that 1t would
create a warllke and bloodthirsty spirit, and
make us n Nation o! soldiers instead OF peace
ful and useful citizens. They appear to have
taken the cue from the Chinese, and TO have
forgotten the lesson given them by Japan; or,
TO brn. things nearer home, to our defense
less condition at the breaking out OF the civil
war In 1861.
1t is a little significant in this connection
that this grand militaIy movement Is bitterly
opposed by the entire SOcialistic and Anar-
chistic element OF the country.
The perfect success IN every respect Of the
drill in School No. 81, and its increased per-
centage la studies, tie physical condition OF
the boys and their improved manners-ior
true soldier Is always first a gallant gentle
man-attracted the attention OF the School
Board and also of the other Principals, who
saw their schools b5ing lett behind, ard it
was finally decided to adopt the system in all
the otLer schools.
The result has been far beyond the greatest
expectations and now there is not school
in New York City that cannot muster either
a battalion or a full regiment.
At the Memorial Day parade in New York,
May 30 1895, Is full regiments of these boys
of the American Guad turned out in a
body, and il WAS y revelation to every be-
holder. The astonishment was general, and
every newspaper was filled with praise of
the boys and their fine military appearance.
In tact, their marching and battalion move
mems were fully equal II not superior to that
of any regiment in The National Guard, and
this opinion is cOncurred in by every Regular
officer who witnessed It,
In that parade only about One-half the
regiments were fully uniformed, while the
other half had only time tn procure their
caps and knickerbockers, bnt still they all
made a magnificent appearance, and were
applauded alo1g the entire line of march.
They were as steady as Regulars, and no
amount of applau.e even once turned their
heads or their minds from their work. 1t
was a splendid exhibition of the real mill
tary spirit of the rising generation.
This wear there will be more than 90
regiments in line, and next TO the Grand
Army veterans will lie the great attraction
Of the parade. They are now fully equipped
and better drilled, and many regiments are
already armed with cadet rifles, which are
furnished by the State. Those not yet SUP
piled will carry Quaker guns. These boys
are drilled IN the regular battalion move
mentS in the State armOrieS, which are
turned over to their use by the State author
tiles. Their drills being in the afternoon, do
not interfere with the movements of the
National Guard, who always drill In the
evenings.
The lst Battalion of the American Guard
have decided to visit Washington May ID,
and have invited Lafayette Post 10 ACCOM-
pauy them as escort. They will alo be
accompanied by Col. Henry II. Adams, Chief
Aid on the staff of mander-ir-C Chief
Walker, in charge of military instruction
in the schools OF the country, and this trip
OF the American Guard is intended to dem
0nstra,e 10 the entire Nation the utility
and impori ance of educating our youth in the
practices of arms. The battalion Will go
command of its own officers
They will give an exhibition drill on the
10th of May next ill the District ArmOry at
Washington, before the President (should he
appear, the Cabinet, U. S. Senators, and
Congress- men, Gen. Nelson A. Miles, and the
military authorities and leading citizens.
The arrangements to this end have been
very extensive and very quietly conducted.
They are now complete, and the affair will be
one of the most brilliant and successful that
ever took place i'll the National Capital. Gen.
Miles-bmsef u comrade of Lafayette Post
is deeply interested in this movement,
and is aiding il by every means III his power.
The American Guard is not confined to
the City of New York. 1t is in full opera
ton in Brooklyn aud the adjoining towns;
also in all the larger cities OF the State; and
the day is not far distant when 1T will be n
National organization, and every school
which now floats the glorious old flag will
have n well drilled company, battalion, or
regiment, able and ready to defend it against
all enemies from within or without. And
that is what the Grand Amy of the Repub-
lie is quietly and effectively doing. The
battalion Will leave New York early on the
18th, arriving in Washington in time to visit
the public buildings, and perhaps some of
the nearby battlefelds. After the exhibit
ton drill they will be the guests of the
Cadets of Washington.
1t is the intention of the American Guard
to make Il similar excursion and display
ayar, ,,aor Of tho olova ng tho cobool tom,