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

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to prepare to resist the danger confronting ns, then let us hasten to secure that aid. It is submitted that this would be the logical and inevitable result, and it is to be hoped that the day is not far distant when the military department of the Maryland Agricultural College shall, without infring- ing upon or rendering less effective the able work being done in the other departments of the college, rank with such institutions as those described above, whose graduates have been and are In pace dccns, in bello p -aesidiu7n. F. B. BOMBERGER.

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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

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