The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1917-02-15
BUSINESS man
WANTS YOUTH
TO GET RULES
OF REAL WAR
Believes Boy Who Scowls
Upon War Shows Signs OF
Degeneration Of American
Men.
OLD VETERANS HEROES
BY W. r. PouNpsToNE

Apropos of nothing a tired
business man pulled himself up
right in his easy chair, cleared
his throat and proceeded to frac-
ture the tomb-like silence OF his
almost deserted club house.
LAS / recall it," he began, Il
was not at seventeen the least
bit like a certain seventeen-year-
old youth who recently protest
ed, through the Palladium's COL
umns, favorable comments on
military training for school
boys on the part of two men,
bers of our board of education"
Was Not q Paeifist.
The tired business man paused and
grinned reminiscently. His small au-
dience patiently awaited the resump-
ton Of his recital. Then he contnu-
ed:
"As recall myself at seventeen
was no pacifist l knew little OF war,
except my private wars; at that per
iod of my career military training for
American youths was not an issue, for
the world was enjoying a snug peace.
but, in an abstract way, knew 1t was
no disgrace for man to bear arms in
defense Of just cause, and common
sense told me then, as 1t does now.
that any man would be better qualified
to assist In the defense of the flag if
he possessed tho rudiments of war
fare. My battles with other town boys.
we're frequent but ! was always licked
until learned how to box.
Are War Veterans Wicked.
III the lad who has taken exceptions
to the opinions of two school board
members, on the ground that military
training is all wrong because 1t is
wicked to fight. truly reflects the
opinions of his fellows then America
has true cause for alarm. Can it be
that the youth Of today look upon the
grey.haired veterans Of our civil war
as wicked men? In my youth l was
taught to look upon these men as
heroes.
rs it possible that our boys have
taken seriously the preachments we
have heard the past few years on the
part Of men Of mature age, consider
able experience and of alleged intelli-
gence. that military training of our
young men must be frowned upon be-.
cause 1t inculcates the militaristic
spirit?
That recalls to me the fact that at
seventeen there was system of mill.
tary training Instituted in the Rich
mond high school. A company, known
as the High School Cadets, was or
ganized and it flourished for quite
awhile.
"A number Of boys, including my
self. Joined. 1t seems that our intel
lects were not SO well developed as
the youth Of today We did not know
1t was wicked to learn how to fight.
We thought that If the republic ever
called upon our services as soldiers
we might be better qualified for such
service by course in the High School
Cadets. suppose, however, that we
boys were uncouth barbarians.
I'VE knew little of the art Of news
paper discussion on governmental
policies and with real horror I recall
that we actually played football and
that We did not consider ourselves vul.
gar In indulging in the national sport,
baseball. In fact we were so depraved
that the members of the debating team
did not stand knee high with our ath.
letes
One Man Is Undertaken.
Nov let me explain, II you please,
how this cadet company inculcated the
militaristic spirit among its members.
One of the corporals Is now an under
taker. am a retail merchant. Sew
eral OF the boys became so warlike
that In later years they accepted posi-
lions as travelling statesmen One bel
ligerent sergeant makes his living
drawing cartoons. Just one of all those
fifty lads decided he would like to
be warrior bold and he went to West
Point, but dropped out in his third
year and is now selling talking ma.
chimes"
The tired business man abruptly
concluded his discourse.
Judging from your remarks you
believe It would do no harm either
to our boys or to the country if they
we're taught the rudiments of military
science?" inquired some one.
II think It is high time that Ameri-
can boys be brought to realize that
their first duty is to their country and
that unframed men cannot be depend
ed upon for the nations Defense" he
growled. "Mollycoddleism is a great