The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1912-01-29
DEFENDED BOY SCOUTS.
Rev. E. o. Thayer Replied to Criticism
Recently Uttered In Barre.

In his talk descriptive of the second
annual conference of the colder Green
Mountain Boys held in Springfield re-
Gently, when many boy scouts from
this city attended, Rev. i. Q. Ibayer
last evening at Hedding NJ. Z. church,
took occasion to repudiate the state
ments of Socialist lecturer who APP
peared in Barre last week. In his ut
terances, Walter j. Willard told his
audience that the boy scout movement
fostered militarism and that the found
er OF the scout organization in England
was an arch friend" of things mill
tary The accusation met with denial
when the pastor said that "the boy
scout movement has nothing in it what
soever that may be called military"
Mr.. Thayer declared that Ernest Seton
thompson the chief scout OF the organ
ization in America, was one of the most
ardent lovers of outdoor life living to-
day and that his idea and purpose Is
heading the movement this side of the
Atlantic was to take boys into the open
to study animal and plant life.
As an organization numbering over
100000 boys, the movement has thus
iourshed remarkably because it makes
a direct appeal to the instincts and i'm
pulses which dominate all that Is best
in boy life the world over. In the
matter of wearing uniforms, Mr.. Thay-
err said that boy scouts were simply
adopting a custom which any other or
ganization making no pretence OF MILF
tary semblanee might follow. Because
certain class of workmen may choose
to 20 to their labor in certain defined
garb, they cannot necessarily be ac-
cused of mlitarism In this instance,
uniforms worn by scouts provide kind
OF clothing for boys not easily worn
out or noticeably soiled The pastor de-
elared that the members are not al
lowed to carry weapons of any kind
and that the nearest thing to arms
used is a staff carried on "hikes."
How to bring all healthy boyish apti
tudes and instincts to a focus is one
OF the problems which the leaders of
the scout movement have sought TO
solve. They are taught not to wanton-
" kill or iniure animals or birds, but
rather to stalk them and study their
habits. One of the points emphasized
iii the training Of the scouts is the duty
IN 6Ou, PARENTS lEdNHeiH anu al pbHSiS
in authority. As an example of some
Of the eommendahle precepts which scout
masters are seeking TO ineulcate into
the minds Of their youthful charges, the
said that each boy is asked
to do at least one good turn TO some
ono every day.
In concluding his reply to the charge
OF militarism, Mr.. Thayer read several
extracts from the scouts book of laws.
Among the things instilled into each
young scout are the necessity of trust
loyalty. friendliness, help
fulness, kindness, obedience, eheerfulness,
thrift, bravery, cleanliness. truthfulness,
chivalry and reverence-all the highest
OF human qualities which 90 To the
Of character. Such signposts
Of manliness cannot well sustain con-
tcntion that the tenor of boy scout
teachings is military one. Mr. Thay
er closed by offering to loan the book
to any disbeliever and challenging him
to find anything written therein that
might possibly be construed as mill
tary
Other portions OF the pastors address
were devoted to resume of the gather
ng at Springfield and a glowing picture
IF the enthusiasm existing aud good |
lecruing from such conference was
Irawn. A large congregation was pres
mt.