Education in the Italian Army.
By G. W. Amadon
The pope is a most inveterate hater of Victor Emanuel, king of Italy. Frequently, he curses and anathematizes, though of course all to no purpose. One of our countrymen, the Robt. Patterson, D. D., of Chicago, writing from Turin, Italy, May 13, 1872, shows how the work of education is carried on in the Italian army, and how men are furnished for the army. No wonder that the pope, that renowned enemy of light and liberty, should fret and scold at the Italian government. But hear what Mr. Patterson says. Another great agency of national education in the army of Italy, which, since the conquest of France by the armed German nation, has been remodelled on the Prussian system. The old conscription remains in force, by which youths, drawn by ballot, are inscribed in the category, and serve for nine years. From this, there is no exception. Even the monks, with the cord round their waists, may now be seen marching with the other conscripts to change their hoods and gowns for the Italian uniform. It is needless to add, that after nine years of army life few of these fine young fellows will return to the convent, whereat the Pope curses the king, the army, and the conscripts. He has a great gift of cursing. But, indeed, very few people wish to be conscripted for nine years. To avoid it, however, is possible. A young man, between twenty and twenty-five, may offer himself for the Second Category, and serve for one year, supporting himself if not in active service. At the end of that time, he is simply one of the Reserve, called to drill forty days in the year, and liable to be called into line in the event of invasion. This, accordingly, is now quite a popular mode of service. Between these two plans, the whole population receives a military education. It is no longer armies, but whole nations, that are being armed, and drilled, and educated for the battle of the great day of God Almighty. And one most important element of modern warfare is education. An educated army can overcome any mob of barbarians. The needle-gun and the spelling-book, Euclid and rifled cannon! No wonder the pope swears. To secure, then, the education of the army of Italy, there is a school department, just as there is an ordnance department. A field officer directs, and captains, lieutenants and sergeants give instructions. Every recruit must go to school, and must learn; and none can leave the army until he can read, write, and cipher. Promotion depends on education. Thus very few of the Waldenses are privates; they are either officers, or employed in the quarter-master’s or engineer’s staff. The result is, that in nine years every young man in Italy must learn to read, write, and cipher. I add no comments on this remarkable revolution, now so effectively in progress. Can any Christian fail to hear the voice of the Spirit of God saying, “Let there be light”?