The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-08-16

tional peace is the transquil action Of all
nations about US. Any one nation of it's
own determine ton can rupture our inter-
national peace and keep us in a turmoil
until 1t Is overcome. OF course, we have
a small national army we'll trained to
guard our peace with other nations. But
If the peace disturbers come greater in
number than is our army, we all might
have to join in to re-establish our peace
or else be subdued Here is where we all
should be prepared to do our part and
should not ask or expect others to do
more for us than we are willing to do for
them and for ourselves.
The best means through which to pre-
pare our nation for an effectual defense is
through our schools. Educate our popu-
lation for defense along with our educat-
ing it for the other duties of life. Should
we organize our public schools into ma
tional free school system, arrange it in
school districts, increase the number OF
grade, extend the years of study and re-
uuire Of all an hours military training
daily. we could soon develop nation
thoroughly able to defend itself against
whatsoever.
There is no physical exercise that de-
velops better physique than military ex-
ercises. 1t grows healthy body for
stronger mind A thorough military train
ing for boys and one suited to girls cannot
do other than to bring up nation or
physical and mental giants 1t will eliml-
nate the weakness and neurosis from both
sexes and will develop bodies with
greater resisting vitality to diseases. In
course of time stronger and more healthy
offsprings will begin to be born OF the
more healthy and robust parentage. This
Is the reason why Germany Is physically
and intellectually stronger than any other
nation today. And Germany has been less
than so years in developing herself In
these lines.
Now, / don't mean to develop mill
tarism out of our nation. Boys in college
take athletic exercises without an Idea
of becoming athletes in life, So pupils can
take a thorough military training without
an idea Of becoming soldiers. My object
Is to give this training to all pupils that
they may be the better developed physi-
caliy and mentally and that II the time
should ever come when they will have to
defend their country. they will already
have the training to do so at the time OF
invasion.
Y see no reason why our country should
not organize it's schools into just such a
national free school system as refer TO-
It can be done without interfering with
state rights. Each state and the national
government can appropriate us rauo 70
the system and 1t would require no more
money than is already spent for the kind
Of education we now get This system
means more thorough and efficient prep
IRA ton for life. 1t means the preparation
of the nation for all phases of life on an
economical basis. 1t means the putting
of life's educational requirements Into one
system of education. 1t means to get all
that is needed for life during one compact
course. When the idea is thoroughly COM
Unattended, I can see no reason why the
system should be rejected, by the more
enlightened thinking classes. for the fu-
ture citizenship of America. Respectfully.
e. A. TIMMONS.
Columbia. Tenn. August 3. 1916