The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-05-30
THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA
MT. Moody's Defense of the Military system Criticised.
Edito The Advertiser:

Edito The Advertiser:
 MT. Mooiys first argument is that the University. while 1t claims that title. cannot afford to strike off the military system from its curriculum as it is one of the sciences. If this argu- ment is sound, the University cannot ignore the science of farming and hor- ticulture, which are as much sciences as the military system; therefore, there should be attached to the institution a farm and a garden in which the stu dents can be taught these two sciences which are far more important than the knowledge of military matters, for while the former is for the support of human life, the latter is necessary chiefly for the destruction of human life. As this argument proves too much, even what is absurd, It proves nothing and is. therefore, unsound.
 MT. Moody gives several reasons why he thinks the military course should be retained. CD Military exercises re- lieve and divert the mind after hard study. We believe the relief is neces- sary, but is there no way to obtain it but by military drilling, and to be plac- ed under an officer who may possibly be a tyrant in the exercise of his au- thority? Cannot the students find the necessary relief in athletic sports on the campus? There never was a time before the addition of the military system from the beginning of the Uni versity when the students did not take all the necessary exercise in athletic sports, such as foot-racing, wrestling, jumping and playing innocent games of amusement, which afforded the nec- essary relief of mind and physical im- provement. Reasons l and have no force whatever. The third reason is that it is a means of discipline" That 1t keeps up with a man." in other words, makes him behave himself. Rut cannot this be done by the rules and regulations of the University, and it is the duty of the professors to see that they are obeyed? It is not neces' sary to put the students under military discipline to make them obey the rules of the University. If one will not obey them he can be expelled, and this will be better than military punishment. The object of a literary institution Is not to drill young men for battle, for this can be better done after war Is declared, which was proved in the war between the States and in the late Spanish war. The object is to drill the head and heart for the highest aspira' tion of the soul for success in civil life,
 MT. Moody's fourth reason, that mill 
 management of a large farm, store, a machine shop, a factory and other business in which there are many em- ployes," is absurd, for the reason that our most successful farmers, merchants and others have had no military edu- cation whatever. With regard to Drs. Bryce and Searcey, I think it unjust to say they could not organize and manage the Insane Hospital without military training. The training of the head and heart enabled them to suc- ceed in this work. The military sys- tenn has been an injury to the Univer- sity ever since it was inaugurated, so far as the number of students is con- cerned. MT. Moody's statistics, taken from catalogues of colleges outside of the State, showing very few making objection to the military system, is not fair test of the numbers who do. If he would go to all the colleges in the State and ask the students why they did not go to the State University, he would have heard hundreds, instead of few, say, because I am not willing to be placed under military govern ment If the system were abolished, the University would gain at least 50 per cent in students in less than twelve months. The Legislature was in favor of ab0lishing 1t but thought it best to leave it to the trustees to decide the question. May they see what is best for the University and act accordingly. C. F. Crenshaw.