The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-09-26

At the coming biennial of the w. c. T.
I'm Toronto, this point may be brought
up Tor debate, and. If possible. such
measures Will be taken as to secure
lts enforcement In the United States
AS the law now stands any public school
can secure the services Of a lieutenant
OF the army for drilling purposes Upon
demand an officer is detailed TO instruct
the boys OF the school I'm the minor mill
tary movements and he can remain in
definitely If desired
The smallness of the standing United
States army two years ago led the diff
ferent churches 10 organize these minor
military companies. and nearly an Of
them now have well-drilled militia. which
In case Of battle could Dee called out with
good effect.
The Jesuits began tho movement Their
institution Of learning are remarkably
attractive and popular. and they took
advantage OF the military spirit that is
I'm the youth Of our country To introduce
tho military drill into their colleges. They
began II as long ago as twenty-five years
and have carefully fostered 80 until the
Jesuit military companies are well known
The 81. Francis Xavier colleges have
wen-organized hattali1ns which are
sources Of pride Co them. and in the
Protestant churches there are several
Episcopal regiments and many Baptist
ones
The Baptist Boys Brigade is a military
comnanv that exists I'm almost every
state. They have a force OF 10000 peopie
that could be turned out on call The
Dutch Reformed and Methodist churches
have also Interested themselves in the
movement OF drilling the boys
one or the prime movers I'm this scheme
Of building up regiments from the schools
and churches was Gen Harrison. who has
always been enthusiastic on this subject.
and who ON one occasion cancelled sew
eral engagements to witness a Memorial
Day parade Of school bows I'm New York
city. Eighteen well drilled regiments turn
cd out equal 10 the best Of the National
Guard and so surprised and pleased was
the General that ne was Instrumental i'm
organizing a similar regiment IN his own
etste
The W. G. r. IT, proposes 10 continue
the drill exercises as at present These
in the schools consist Of marching WELD
ing and minor comnanv movements The
hoys are not drilled I'm the entire military
tactics and army discipline hut only IN
such as would Doe geedcd az the first war
cry.
one of the arguments advanced by the
Nebraska board was the phvlcal advan-
idff thiNtu uN the hoNN m TINS exercise.
Acting upon this the w. G. r. T.. pro-
poses 20 take away the guns and substi-
tutc brooms Cor musFcts This they
claim would give the same amount OF
phYical culture and viii foster no spirit
OF warfare.
Tho principal military academies IN
this country besides West Point include
Norwich Military University Of Vermont
the Virginia Military Institute and the
Lexington Military school Of Kentucky
Besides these old ones which existed prior
20 1865 there are some twenty flourish
Ing new academies IN the Northern and /
Western States. These the Nebraska w. |
G. T. Il. proposes 20 reform I'm the same !
way. and even advocates giving the West |
Point cadets broomsticks instead of rifles |
for military practice.
In an interview one OF the boards said. !
1--WE are not IN favor OF stamping out the |
military school just yet for the world |
IL not advanced 20 the point for the !
dlscontnuance Of force. but We DO think ]
that the training could be carried on by /
means OF inoffensive weapons. by their |
use the cadets would become so drilled |
that N war was absolutely necessary they ]
could substitute the rifle for the broom /
stick 81 a moments notice. Tho cadets i
OF West Point. knowing the strength or i
the w. c. II. H., and fearing that the
Worlds Convention at Canada next /
month would take up this point and press
n closely, have been greatly agitated
about NJ but old soldiers assure them