Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1905-10-20
THE RANlSHEp DRUM.
to French Order 1t Is Ruled
Out of the Army in That
Country.

If the Germans had done 1t, 1t would
have been less surprising. They were
the first to turn armies into fighting
machines and battles into complex
nechanisms with diagrams. If the
English had done it on one Of their
recurring fits of army reform, it would
nave been only one more evluence
that during those seizures they are
capable of anything. If the Jap
anese had done 1t, 1t would have
seemed almost a matter Of course
another of their incidental improve
ments upon the art of war. But that
Frenchmen, who love the stirring, the
picturesque and the traditional, who
keep warmer corner in their hearts
for military glory than any other race
that Frenchmen should have done
it is almost unbelievable. Yet there
is the report of Gen. Faure-Biguet in
recent dispatches from Paris, and
there is the approval of the minister
of war. Henceforth there are to be
no more drums and no more drummers
in the French army. 1t is an order.
says the observant general. True; but
SO do mems quickness and courage
when they go into battle without
sounds that have become almost an
instructive stimulus to them. Drums
are heavy and cumbersome on a
march, continues the general. True
again; but the beat of them has light
ened the step of many firing SOL
dier. There are 10000 drummers In
the French army. They might be
10000 fighting men. But numbers
have not always won battles. Bugles
are easier to hear at a distance. Have
they the note of resolve in them that
stays retreats?
These are the protesting arguments
perts will properly disregard them.
| They are steeled against sentiment as
they are against some other things
that have way Of counting in human
nature. They are turning war into a
mechanical process, and soldiers into
stripped but efficient machines. AL
ready we have nearly smokeless bat
less. Troops may march to their
thoughts of their regulations, not TO
the rhythmic tap of the drum. Gone
are the distinctive uniforms. Every
thing in dirt color. Lances are obso-
lete, and cavalry but a show, except
for scouting and pursuit. ThepageanEy
Of war is becoming as remote from
the actual business of it as the dresses
at costume ball from the everyday
clothes of life. Has the change less
ened the glamour and the sentimental
and popular appeal of war and the
soldiers trade? Some will say yes
and bid the experts beware that they
are not killing their own profession
But the poets, the romancers, the
painters and all the rest who use war
IN their arts are in the worst case
of all. They are losing their mar,
tIal drum" and for centuries it has
stood them in good stead. They have
written songs around it, like Thack-
cray; made it into stories, like Kip.
ling; put it into their fairgrounds
like the French military painters
Soon, if the new fashion spreads, il
will be only an humble instrument ol
percussion" in a concert orchestra
There will be no more artistic inspira,
tion in it than there is in a triangle
Once more too practical age has
slain sentiment in it's tracks. In few
years it may be time for Thackeray'i
toast:
So here's to all gentlemen drummers
That ever have thumped on a skin.
Globe.