Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1919-10-16

culture, Commerce and Manufactures:
Geography; History; Natural Philosophy
including Astronomy Education. National
Defense; Internal improvements and Mil
itary Science.
During the first year of its existence
there were enrolled 100 cadets tho fol-
lowing year 49, and the attendance in.
creased from year to year while the
academy remained at Norwich. The cat.
aloe Of 1924 shows an attendance of 1872
and an enrolment of that date of 49,.
Captain Partridge continued as presi-
dent with 4 very able faculty M to 1924
In addition to A course of study in Ian
guages and literature which compared
favoraby with the courses given in the
colleges of that day, and in addition to a
full engineering course. with practical
work in the field. q course in agriculture
was also given, which so far as is known
was the first institution to provide for
instruction IN that branch.
In the spring of 1895 Alonzo Jackman.
so long to he identified with Norwich Uni
versity. was appointed instructor of math-
emati and IN 1851 he became professor
of mathematics, civil ngnecring. topo-
graphical drawing and military instruc-
ton. A fair degree Of success attended
Norwich University from It's incorpora 4.
ton in 1874 to tho resignation of Capts,n
Partridge from the presidency November
II. 1913. This resignation was caused by
a serious disagreement between him and
the trustees as to the proper manage.
ment of the university. Truman y, Ran.
som was made his successor and assumed
the active duties of the presidency Feb
ruary 8. 1874
on Nav Z. 1917 President Ransom re-
signed his office to accept a commission
for service in the Mexican war. and Pro.
fessor Butler was appointed acting pres,
dent. Conditions at the university were
so disturbed by the departure Of it's pop.
ular president for the field of war that on
September IS 147 academic work was sus.
pended President Butler resigned his of.
Acc in February 1s4S and was succeeded
by Henry Steward Wheaton. A. NJ a
graduate of Brown University June %
1913. who resigned because of failing health
August Is, 1s4a. on which date Simon NJ
Preston, As. now living at Seattle. Wash.
~ years of age, was appointed executive
officer Of the university and placed ir
fun charge of its management Edward
Bourns. A. NJ, LID. n graduate of Trim
ity College. Ireland. a distinguished schol
ar and a teacher of eminence. while pro
fessor of moral science. ancient language.
and literature, which position he held fol
| % years. beloved by his students and col
| lege and respected by ALL was mad
president. Prof. Alonzo Jackman in Sen
| tember 1852 returned from a three YEAR
| leave of absence and resumed his posi-
| ton of professor of mathematics mill
| tary science and tactics. which positio,
| he held substantially until his death. Feb
ruary IS. 1879.
| | learn from Elliss History of Norwich
! University that the total attendance 70
| the years 1876 was 797 OF this numbe
| RI were graduates From tho sam
| source ] also learn that During 1si7-;,i
! took three years to complete the classi
cal course and two years for the ecien
| tiic. In 1855 the length of time to com
| plete the course was extended to fou
and three years respectively"
| The old south barracks was burned o,
March II, 1856 and it being Impossible T.
obtain funds to rebuild at Norwich at
meeting held in White River Junction q,
April 16, 1866 the trustees decided to &C
cept the invitation Of Mortified to 10
cate the university in that town.
Having traced the University to tn
point where it is about to take IN 4,
! home in Mortified it seems a fitting tim
TO return to the man who first conceive
/ it.
Beginning his active life as an instruc
/ tor of young American manhood tn
matter Of education became to him on
of paramount Importance and being a
| Instructor in the United States Militar
academy the development of the highes
order of American citizenship became t
him a matter of the highest importance
To one familiar with contemporaneou
| history there is no question that in thos
years he had come to be regarded as on
Of the strong men of the country and
leader among military men. engineer
and educators and the things which h
| thought. and that which he said had hig
! value among scholars and statesmen, an
that as affecting the system of educatio
10 be applied to our young men for thei
! individual good, and as related to gu
national life. he wac regarded by thos
hest calculated to kno~ as both prorhe
and priest.
! In lecture on education which h
delivered in 1920 he stated his principa
objections TO the system of educatio
then prevalent in the United States a
follows: First: II is not sufficient
: practical, nor properly adapted to tn
various duties an American citizen ma
be called upon to discharge Second
Entire neglect in all our semin
aries of physical education or the cult
walton and improvement of the physica
power Of the student" Since then tn
situation mas been IN many respects i'm
proved, but the marked difference betwee
the methods which obtain at Norwic
University and those which obtain a
ma her colleges is still very ar
parr'
B 81 student of both ancient nd mod
, err tory he says that he 0as force
= to g." conclusion that in every republi
the duo cultivation Of proper iniiitar
spirit amongst the great mass OF In
people and a general diffusion Of militar
information are indispensably necessar
for the preservation of liberty, and con
sequcntly that those republics whic
neglect those requisites will eventually b
driven TO exchange their freedom for
/ form of government bordering at leas
on military despotism.'
| Captain Partridge further says: u
! making these observations. however
beg not to he misunderstood as recon
mending a system of education for on
youth purely military, very far fror
this. ! mean nothing more than that tn
military should constitute an appendix
n the civil education and thereby qualif
them for the correct and efficient dis
Char2e of their duties as soldiers whe
their country may require their service
in ;hat capacity"
Further studying the man that we ma
know him as he was we learn indis pl