Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1865-08-29
QD9ilo(t Stat&:s!;r)1o:a'I'nl.. \: u .
The National Guard.

lhC "uhTu.
This organization is now attracting con-
siderable attention, principally on account
of it's being justly regarded as one of the
most useless institutions of the day. That
there never existed any actual necessity for
the organization, time and events have
proven to every rejecting man. In this
opinion many of the "Guard" concur.
The organization is the natural offspring
ofthe many base and wanton political preju-
dicies which have been fostered and culti-
waited, to the largest extent, by the Aboli-
tionists against Democrats during the war.
We remember, when playing soldier at
Camp Miami, in 1868, that the regular mill
tia was dubbed 'the flat foots," and with
whom the Guards would hardly deign to
associate, or even join in the exercises OF
thedrill. "Who would be flat-foot?" was
the jeering sarcasm of the camp. l...-
From sentiments of this character-the
prospect of being exempted from conscrip-
tion-the desire to be seen "dressed in
blue" and the notion that it was degrading
to ''loyalists" to be placed along side of
"Butternuts" (who made up the rank and
file of the regulars), arose the National
Guard. '-.., .. . ........ ..
When the Eaton Guards, composed en-
tirely of Democrats, were fully organized,
commissions; but the Governor had previ-
ously obtained ''reliable information" of
their ''disloyalty," and SO withheld the COM
missions and ordered the companies to dis
band Immediately. After schooling the
"militia" of the State Tor one season, and
expending half million dollars therefor,
the Legislature disbanded the ''ilat-foots," "
and provided alone for the Guards, who
were thus lefs in the lurch, like the monkey
with his foot in steel-trap. T.. ....
Then followed the passage of the four
dollar Communication tax, which every man
between the ages of eighteen and forty-live
years, who will not "play soldier" is oblig-
ed to pay each year, four dollars as poll
tax, to remunerate those who do "play SOL
dier." Should any one neglect or refuse, he
is liable tor this amount and one dollar and
twenty cents penalty, and the costs of col
lection. Should execution issue against
him, not even the bed he sleeps on can be
held exempt, as in ordinary cases of debt
Such system is of course felt to be griev-
Gus and oppressive. .. ..'-... ......
That the Guard" was organized to pre-
vent outbreaks and insurrecton by the
'Knights of the Golden Circle" or any Other
alleged secret organization, Is simply 8
nonsensical pretense. Nobody believes 9
word of it. That story is of a piece with
the tales of ghosts and witches that used
to be told to brighten the weak minded and
superstitious.
Members of the "Guard" themselves-as
many of them have told us-as well as a
great majority of the people, are seriously
considering this matter, and there is very
general disposition not to be bored any
longer with this silly and useless military
humbug-the expenses of which have to be
borne by the hard earnings of the laborine
classes-people who, of all others, are the
least able to bear them. -..
Retrenchment in this branch of the pub
lie expenditures is imperiously demanded
and it is confidently expected that the mex
Legislature of Ohio will promptly take
the matter in hand. The best way to dis
pose of it is to wipe out the whole thing
from the Statute Book of the State. The
people, in the approaching election, shoult
make this an issue, and carefully ascertain
the sentiments of those who may ask theil
suffrages as candidates for Representatives
In regard to it.-Ddyton Empire.