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MILITARY DRILL IN SCHOOLSAuthor(s): D.Source: Advocate of Peace (1847-1884), New Series, Vol. 12, No. 1 (FEBRUARY, 1881), p. 7Published by: World Affairs InstituteStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/27906167 .

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THE ADVOCATE OF PEACE. 7

Elgin's ship. As to who were the real victors in this case, may be safely left to the future verdict of civili zation.

geand step in the eight dieection. Turning an iron-clad into a flour mill is the modern

Russian version of the Biblical figure which speaks of

beating swords into plowshares and spears into prun

ing hooks. It is an admirable idea, and the Russian

government deserves the credit of suggesting it. Ac

cording to the semi-official, Novae Vermya, that power has been thinking of making steam flour mills out of Admiral Ropaff's twin vessels in the Black sea, and

if that can be successfully accomplished it will be ben eficial in two directions. It will help to "work up the

great wheat harvests of the Black sea provinces at

home, and will make some return for the millions

wasted on what are now confessed to be costly fail

ures. If the Russian government makes a successful

experiment of this kind, perhaps the other nations of

Europe may be induced to follow the example and put to some practical use the millions of tons of war ves

sels now sailing idly up and down the ocean or lying inactive in their harbors. This is a utilitarian age and almost everything is made to serve some useful pur

pose ; but heretofore no attempt has been made to turn

war vessels to practical account in time of peace. There is probably no good reason why it should not be done though, and so, perhaps, a way may be found to

recover some part of the co-t, at least, of the many vessels which in the ceaseless contest between ship builders and gun-makers are rendered practically use

less for fighting purposes almost before they are 1 au nched.?Pidladelph ia Inq u ir er.

WHITTIBE'S ANNIVERSARY. A few months since the anniversary of our beloved

poet was hailed with delight by the children, whose hearts throb with pleasure as they call to mind the warm hospitality of lovely 'Oak Knoll," and the cor dial greeting of the poet. The anniversary was full of brightness to the children. About twent}* of his

poems were recited, which, though selected with some

reference to practical lessons for true living, needed

n<> interpreter ; for the child-heart, full of eager inter

est-and appreciation, was quick to learn from "Abram

Davenport" his present duty in the darkest hour; and from "Conductor Bradley"

" do the utmost that a brave man could, And die if need be, aa a true man should,"

secure in the trust of "Parson A very," whose 4 SouL

went singing to its rest." Not less was their interest

in the "Barefoot >y," and in the inimitable life-pic-j tures in "Snow-Bound the story of "Nauhaught the

Deacon," the delicate and beautiful imagery of the

"Pageant," and "My Birthday." These and many more, with the singing of hymns written by the poet, gave us a day which will be long remembered.

In response to a floral gift containing thirty-nine rose-buds, representing the greeting of the same num

ber of pupils and teachers in the school, Mr. Whittier wrote, on the morning of his last birthdaj-, the follow

ing lines which he terms "Hasty Verse," which hav

ing been copied by the heliotype-process are put away among the treasures of the children, as their gift from the poet.

My garden roses long ago Have perished from the leaf-strewn walks;

Their pale wild sisters smile no more

Upon the sweet-brier stalks.

Gone, with the flower-time of my life,

Spring's violets, summer's blooming pride, And Nature's winter and my own

Stand flowerless side by side!

So might I yesterday have sung;

To-day, in bleak December's noon, Come sweetest fragrance, shapes and hues,

The rosy wealth of June!

Thanks to the hands that sent the gift, Thanks to the hearts that prompted it;

If undeserved it comes, at least It seems not all unfit.

Of old, my Quaker ancestors Had gifts of "forty stripes save one;"'

And now as many roses crown

The gray head of their son!

God bless the givers! May they all From life's fair dawning to its close,

Wear fragrant <>n their happy hearts The bloom of Sharon's rose!

Oak Knoll, 12 mo. 18, 87 John G. Whittier.

Wars are neither more nor less than national quar

rels, and when both parties are sick and tired of the contest, the}" settle their difficulties through the me

dium of delegates. Why not take this course in the first instance and save human blood ??Lorenzo Dow.

MILITARY DRILL IN SCHOOLS. The introduction of the military drill into our public

schools, founded in the wisdom of the fathers, and the

glory of our land, is a measure deprecated by the

peace-loving people of the land. No substantial argu ment can be urged in its favor, while much can be said

against it. Military drill is not a necessit}T, hence the

expense incurred is a waste of means. It fosters the

milita^ spirit, not in accordance with the age, and in a land that has, thank God, come very near the end of

fighting. Away with the '-pomp and circumstance of

^ war." "Let us have peace !" D.

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