University of Maryland College Park - Terrapin / Reveille Yearbook (College Park, MD)

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State, according to special laws provided, and all male students of the Universit}-, who voluntarily enroll themselves in the military department, subject to the rules and regulations provided for the govern- ment of the same, is a part of the National Guard of that State. As a part thereof they are entitled to all such provisions as are or hereafter may be made for the National Guard of Missouri. Their officers are commissioned by the Governor of the State upon the recommendation of the Faculty of the University. Upon graduation each graduate of the military depart- ment is entitled to a commission as brevet Second Lieutenant of the National Guard of Missouri, subject to physical examination; provided application shall be made for such commission within one year from the date of graduation, and that the applicant be a resident of the State of Missouri at the time of making application. The Federal Government provides an officer of the regular ami} ' as instructor in military science and tactics, arms and ammunition, targets, etc. The State furnishes camp equipage, utensils, etc, and to those cadets appointed by the various Senators and Representatives, uniforms and the cost of the tuition. Here again we see a system calculated to yield beneficial results to the State; and it is submitted that such a system should be established in Maryland. There are certain improvements which might be suggested for this scheme, but in principle it is e.xcel- lent. Let us conside r how such a system would work in connection with this College. As a part of the National Guard the equipment of the Corps of Cadets would be more complete than it at present is or can be, and the students would be enabled to receive as a part of their regular course practical instruction in all the branches of the military art, including formation of camps. Being permitted to participate in the regular encampments of the National Guard they would become accustomed to act in concert with large bodies of troops, and their previous instruction in battalion drill would be sup- plemented b} ' regimental and brigade drill, thus completing their military education begun at the College. The esprit du corps engendered bj ' associa- tion with practical soldiers would, in itself, be a strong argument in favor of the arrangement. On the other hand, the State would become an immediate benefi- ciary by having annual additions made to its military establishment of young men thoroughly educated in modern military science and capable of infusing new life into the organization. The young men so educated would form a reserve corps upon which the State could rely with confidence, in times of necessity, to train and direct its raw militia. I do not wish to be understood as suggesting the idea that the incorporation of the Corps of Cadets of the various Agricultural Colleges into the National Guards of their respective States would alone accom-

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not only in liarmony with the spirit of our institu- tions, but in view of recent events an urgent necessity. How far the ideas of the founders of this system have been carried out has depended almost entirely upon the several States. In those States in which an enlightened policy has prevailed the results have been most excellent; but in a majority of the States (of which, I regret to say, Maryland is one) owing to the failure of the Legislature to grasp the true intent of the Act of Congress, and to seize upon the advantages growing out of it, the success of the system has been only partial. A brief consideration of the system will demonstrate wherein it is deficient. The Federal Government has done its part. In providing the means of instruction it has faithfully performed its share of the compact, but the State has failed to reap the benefit which might under a different system have grown out of it. The course of military instruction in vogue at this school is theoretically good as far as mider existing conditions it can be carried; but it does not go far enough. Not only does the State not provide the means of completing the military education begun and carried to an advanced stage through the liberality of the Federal Government, but it fails also to pro- vide the means whereby the knowledge so imparted can be immediately utilized. I am but quoting from an oflScer of the United States Army stationed at the College for a period of four years, when I .say that the present system is defective, and that the State should adopt some plan by which the military education here gained by her young men could be utilized for the perfecting of its National Guard. As it is upon the leaders, rather than men, that military success depends, the educa- tion and training of young men to a point at which they become competent to lead must necessarily be a lasting aid and improvement to the existing organized force of the State. Nor is this a new idea and a plan untried. The case of the Virginia Military Institute might be cited to show the advantages resulting to the State from such a system. The records of this institution show that it furnished more officers for the Confed- erate armies during the Civil War, and did more to elevate the standard of military excellence therein than any other school. Her graduates now hold commissions in the State National Guard. A case more directly in point, because of tlie closer analogy existing between the institution in question and our own, is that of the University of Missouri. This University is simply the Agricultural College of the State which, under the liberal policy of its Legislature, has grown to the station of a university, by no means insignificant among those of the West. Under the laws of Mi.ssouri the Cadet Corps of the University, which is composed of cadets appointed by the various Senators and Representatives of the 19

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plish the desired results and prove a panacea for all the evils of the S3 ' stem, but I do hold that such a movement would greatly help overcome the conditions producing these bad results. That the infusion of the graduates of this College into the National Guard of this State, subject, of course, to prudential restrictions, would not be detri- mental to the standard of militar} ' excellence therein existing, is proven bj ' the fact that, when during the past year. Congress authorized the President to appoint two hundred second lieutenants for service in the army, it was thought wise to limit the President in his selection to the graduates of Agricultural Colleges, the inference being that graduates from these colleges are more competent to fill such stations than are mere civilians, or those already enlisted in the ranks as privates or non-commissioned officers. This but a single example — others might be ad- duced equally pertinent and f(5rcible. If, therefore, the graduates of the Agricultural Colleges are, under the present defective system, considered well able to serve as officers of the regular army of the United States, is it not reasonable to suppose that under a broader system of training, such as that outlined above, a still higher standard of excellence would be attained? The details of the law required to attain these results need not be considered. Two officers of the regular United States Army, formerly stationed at the College, have submitted in their reports to the presi- dent of the College outlines of laws by which the above suggestions might be made effective. These will be found in the annual reports of this College to the Legislature, published in the years 1S93 and 1895. The provisions suggested are essentially like that in effect in Missouri. If, then, in the opinion of men like these, whose profession is one of arms and whose life is devoted to the stud}- and practice of the art of war the enactment of such laws would be beneficial to the State, it seems that the proposition merits some consideration by our law-makers. The theory of the proposition is founded upon sound premises and promises good results. The theory is substantiated by the experience of seven States which have tried it, and proved it to be emi- nently satisfactor} ' . We waive the discussion of the proposition that war is barbarous and peace alone to be desired; but we are compelled to acknowledge that it is a condition, not a theory, which confronts us. If we are compelled to have militar5 ' establish- ments, let us have those which are most capable of doing eifective service — following the advice of our greatest leader and ststesman, who counselled us in time of peace to prepare for war. If the incorporation of the Corps of Cadets of the Maryland Agricultural College in the National Guard of Marj ' land would increase the efficiency thereof, and enable us, in time of need, quicklj- and effectively