The interest which has been shown by the undergraduates in the lectures on the Civil War given each week shows that the military spirit has not entirely died out in this college. Why would not a course on military science be of interest as well as instructive to the students? Most of the men who enter Harvard are totally ignorant of everything military except what they may have learned accidentally from the perusal of histories. This is a country averse to large standing armies. Consequently corps of well educated officers and military schools where men are instructed to become officers are wanting. West Point is scarcely able to turn out enough officers to command our present small shadow of an army. In time of trouble the nation will have to depend for the most part on leaders chosen from the more intelligent citizens. In this class the college graduate figures prominently and should in case of sudden need be prepared to take the lead in upholding principles or repelling foreign enemies. How much better it would have been for all concerned if twenty-three years ago the men who were preparing to take the field from Harvard and, in fact, from all parts of the country had even some slight knowledge of their new business. A regular course including the leading principles of this most interesting and fascinating science of war if given by the college or some society each winter would draw considerable audiences. The plan is not a difficult one to accomplish. Quite a number of well educated officers are stationed at the forts in Boston harbor whose services could easily be procured. It is a subject to which other institutions have thought it worth their while to pay attention. Why should not Harvard take an active interest as well?
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Yale's Crew.