,TMS|>,^ .^| MILITARY. |DC‘
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ILITARY at the A. & M. Col
lege is sadly on the decline
and it will take about twice as long to
restore it to its old standard as it has
taken it to drop to its present position.
Of course, there is an excuse made for
this, a very good one, indeed, and that
is that a citizen as commandant can
not command the respect of a United
States officer. I say this is impossible,
for it is not, but the main reason is
because they have either never gone
through the ordeals of good hard dis
cipline or that they are naturally too
lenierit.
Some believe in moral suasion,
others in harsh punishment. Neither
will do when carried to an extreme,
and only a level-headed, able-bodied
man can neither be too lenient nor too
harsh. This is almost impossible and
stands right up with there is no such
thing as perfect.
Have recently received notice from
the Inspector General that he will
make us a visit some time in May and,
to use a strong expression, there has
to he some tall old drilling done be
fore he gets here.
Fellows, put on your best military
bearing, get your hair cut short, and
look after every minor detail that can
be found fault with, for as little as
they are they are the first defects to be
noticed and count that much against
us. Would suggest that the captains
of the respective companies have meet
ings of their officers and discuss the
different movements, both of field and
manual of arms. It will help each and
everyone of you. That is what is the
matter with you now; you try to be
independent, but you can always take
it to be a fact that two heads are bet
ter than one.
Now, for the next six weeks let ev
erybody pull together, and if you will
do it with your whole heart and soul,
we will siirprise someone Commence
ment; for there are some great tac
ticians who make an annual visit here
every June and the majority of them
are graduates, and let us not give them
a chance to say that they used to do
better than that when they were here,
and so-and-so was commandant. We
can do it if you will only try.
<5*
The President has received notice
from the Chief of the Commissary De
partment that he will return to us the
two cannon that were called away in
April, 189S. If we could only get hold
of a few blank cartridges, we might
have a right decent sham battle here
Commencement.
What is the matter with the Foster
Guards? They started otit with the
determination of having the best
drilled company that was ever organ
ized in the State, but for some reason
or other they came to a standstill.
Foster, that should never be. Get out
and drill morning and evening; you
need it, and will never put up a crack
drill unless you do. It is expected of
you both from the College and from
friends outside, who all take great