No. 5.
Editorials.
889
without cxchuling other scientific iiiul
classical studies, and including mlilary tuc
tics, to teach such brunches or learning us
are related to agriculture ami the mechani
cal arts, as the legislature of the stale may
prescribe."
Under this act of Congress, the Univer
sity was established and successfully con
ducted for six years. But at the end of
that time it was suddenly discovered that
the clause including Military tactics had
been ignored; and with this deficiency
the title of the land might be questioned.
So without farther delay the Military De
partment was opened in the University.
At this time a student upon entering
the University was requested to take one
of the courses then prescribed; and when
the Military department was established,
the same rule applied to it. But the de
partment had few attractions for the stu
dents, so to make itasuias, measures
were taken by the Regents to make the
drill and the purchase of u uniform com
pulsory upon all male students of the col
lege classes.
That the Military department was nec
essary for retaining the lauds, perhaps no
one would deny. But after it was estao
lislied, by what right or justice it should
be singled out from all the rest and made
compulsory, many are at a loss to see.
For if the enacting clause compells this
department to be compulsory, under the
same act every other department is liable
to a similar misfortune. If the Military
department was so necessari for retain
ing the lands, why was the delay of six
years bcfoic its introduction ? And, when
dually introduced why was it not made
compulsory at once instead of waiting a
whole year?
The Regents, before making the depart
mcntcompulsory evidently procured good
legal advice; but while they were inform
ed by some that compulsion was neces
sary under the enacting clause, others
were of the opinion that the act deman
ded only the establishment of the depart
ment the sume us the others had been
established. Therefore slucc the opinion
of good legal authorities differs, the legal
ity of ho act of the Regents Is perhaps a
question for the Supreme Court to decide;
and until then, subjudice lis at.
But there is now before the Regents n
resolution making the Military depart
ment a par1 of every course in the institu
tion. But before such a measure receives
the assent of the Regents, we sincerely
hope that they will consider the steps
that they have already taken. Though
even should this resolution become a
part of the regulations of the University,
the students intend to obey it as long as
they remain at the school. The discon
tent that the students have thus far shown,
has been on account of the Military drill.
Even here it has been slight. Hence the
cry of insubordination in the University
has been without foundation, and is a dis
grace to the man who will allow it to ap.
pear in the columns of his paper. Nor must
this discontent, as slight as it is, be mis
judged. It is not on account of any mem
ber of the Faculty or of the Board of Re
gents; but on account of the Military
drill, and that alone. Students have cer
tain tastes for study and prefer to choose
that course which will satisfy their tastes.
Let that one who sees more in a brass but
ton than in a usetul book, pursue the
Military course. He is a fit subject.
The students do not underestimate the
advantages that the Regents have pro
cured for the University. Nor do they
Intend to disobey any regulations that the
Regents or Faculty see fit to make. But
when those regulations become odious, and
unnecessary students have no alternative
but to seek other colleges. True the Regeuts
have the power to regulate the government
of the University; but whether they have
the right to make one department compul
sory upon all male students of the regular
classes, and to compel the students to
wear a prescribed uniform, may be ques
tioued. And even should they possess
such a power, they certainly, under the
present condition of the state, would en.
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