Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1914-05-28
HISTORY OF MILITARY EDUCATION IN UNITED STATES.

dons should witness the publication of the first extended
history of military education in the United States. 1t fit
ting that the native State of Senator Justin Morrill, whose
college land constitute the basis of military
instruction in than half hundred institutions of higher
education in the United States should produce such publ
cation is most fitting that the professor of military sci
and tactics in the University of Vermont of which Sen
aor Morrill, trustee and faithful champion for third
of century, should write volume devoted to Military Edu
cation in the United States.
That Captain Ira L. Reeves author of Bamboo Tales"
"A B. c. of Rifle, Revolver and Pistol Shooting" Manual
for Asprans for Commissions in the United States Military
Service" and other Volumes has supplied this lack of
work military education is evident from the quotation in
the "Foreword This whole subject of military education
is disposed of in of the leading American ed-
cation in these words The military and naval academies
wholly subject to the secretaries Of and navy and
distinct schooman carries the light his guild the
Of their affairs
The only wonder is that work of this character
not thought of long Captain Reeves that to Doc
tor Robert T. Kern professor of English literature at Vir
gina Military Institute due the credit for suggesting the
preparation of volume military education, and that the
introduction is the product of tie pen of Professor j. F. Mes
senger
In this age multiplicity of authors and rapid fire pub
LEGATIONS the group of who produce work
along strictly lines familiar subject deserves credit
for originality and of initiative out of the ordinary
The result volume which has all the fascination of novel,
the worth of textbook military subjects and volume of
reference which will be found indispensable by both libraries
and newspapers especially all journals abe to maintain ed
tors and special correspondents Certainly Vermont
newspaper afford be without this military edu-
cation for the chapter Military education in land grant
colleges and universities emphasizes the great which
Senator Morrill, did along this line, while accustomed
to hear almost exclusively of the emphasis he placed upon
farm instruction and technical training.
Senator Morrill, who congressman introduced and
promoted the passage of the college land grant BILL uttered
sentiments which peculiarly applicable to the present
time of unpreparedness for with Mexico The
author of this which shown to have received the ap
prova of President Lincoln the day following the last of the
full light Of conditions confronting the Union in it's dark
hours. Senator Morrill, then said
eff this measure had been instituted quarter of
fury the absence of all military schooling at the outset
of the present rebellion would have been less deporabe in
the northern States. The young might have had
fitness for their sphere duties whether the the
workshop the battlefield "a total unpreparedness
presents too many temptations foe otherwise
The national school at West Point suffice for the
lar in ordinary of peace but it wholly made
Quate when large is to be suddenly put in service.
These colleges founded in every State will to
extent guard against sheer ignorance of all military art which
shrouded the country especially the North at the time when
the tocsin Of war sounded at Fort Sumter
Captain Reeves says: "The late President NJ H. Buck
ham Of the University of Vermont has given clearly the
an point of view of this national danger of unframed Off
GERS 1t is satisfaction to have eminent scholar and
of give expression to such sentiments
tanned in this quotation To statesmen looking beyond exist
ing umus the republic meant peace but they then for
the first time learning that exists only in those nations
that know how to maintain peace
How true is this uerance of the beloved President Buck
ham in connection with Mexico at the present time peace
exists only in those nations that know to maintain
peace Speaking of Senator Morrs effort provide mill
ary education President Buckhan continued But here
opportunity to Go something toward meeting this
danger of unpreparedness by distributing through
out peaceovng ard industrial communities in every State
certain amount of military schooling, Mr. Morrill, calls it,
and the result Of such schooling goodly number of
highly trained in other respects with modicum,
less the plan should work out OF military training
added"
These many other selections would appeal especially
to the resident of Vermont but they give only hint Of the
riches of the volume In addition to illustrated history
of the military training colleges and universities under the
college land grant in the various States Of the Union well
as institutions the book deals with military matters
in large way be gained from glimpse at the general
subjects Military education in general military education
of organized militia military education of other countries
military schools of Germany France Austria Italy Belgium
the United States Military Academy classification of nsti
tutons by the department. department assignments
and Inspections affiliations of students with the organized
militia and volunteers military education in institutions
other than land grant including Norwich University and other
institutions the army service schools coast artillery school