The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-06-19
NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION.

Preparations ter the Opening Meeting
Yestcrday-Letter from President
Church In Answer to Colonel Emmons
Clark.
A special meeting OF the National Rine Associ-
ariOn was held at 1874 Broadway on Wednesday,
Colonel Church presiding. The Range Committee
reported that the range wasln0w substantially COM
plete and was in daily use; that the Commissary
General had loaned tents for during the match,
which had been erected upon the ground, together
with q number OF canvas shelters, &c. He had also
supplied ammunition, which would be issued to the
'teams" for practice upon the day of the match
without charge. General Abbott, commanding the
United States engineers at Willett's Point, has
permitted detachment OF his regulars to
act as markers, the association paying them
for their services and permitting q 'team'
from the engineers to compete. The Secretary re.
ported that he had that morning received the letter
from Colonel Clark, Of the Seventh, previously pub
lished In Wednesdays papers, the matter of an
swerng which was left to the President. 1t was
announced that GOvernOr5 Dix, and probably the
President, Generals Sherman, Belknap and others
would be present at the opening. General Shaler
has ordered battery of four pieces and 100 men
from the Ninth and Twenty-second regiments
with side arms only TO attend. The following is
a list OF the regiments who have so far entered
teams for the match Ninth, Eleventh, Thirteenth
Fourteenth, Nineteenth Newburgl, Twenty
second Twenty third, Thirty,second, Seventy first
Ninth; New Jersey, United States Engineers.
The following Is letter from W. Q. Church, Pres
to that OF Colonel Emmons Clark, OF the Seventh
regiment
PRESIDENT cHuRcH's LETTER.
SiS-n letter published this morning Colonel Emmons
0srk commanding dn1g The seventh regiment G. n X
prizes at the Inauguration Of the range at Creedmoor
Ais fis objection is to the effect that such contests
will lead to neglect Of business pursuits But does
siSs root Si Whole militia system
his Deeomng than he prd
e Nsy York. and And happens
garades in many weeks il has since the ist Of
sands have at Creedmoor With the proof that it
is as proficient IN that most essential part military
drill and disepilnei 'AD'a'A''' p'0A''''' =
military due one thai n snail viii
int t. g see that this h, the result and have
and the pride Of its men IN their earned reputation
to ssgs s eaT Fl s @
iu and successful movement for encouraging rifle prac
The objections Which Colonel Clark urges to the offer
a % Be- a% o e Large
s re q se On G Much
touches indeed ali the interests Of that or selfish
re ss a rer sas
est has struggled with human weakness with such sorry
ing OF Creedmoor until the contest is settled honor
Colonel Clarke Tor his recognition OF such high prnci
pies and d regret that have no better argument
National Rifle association has simply followed in this
world over and we must POSTPONE the reform PROPOSED to
emily wrong in the appeal which association makes
to the spirit ambition though by IL the angels
fell" III ambition takes too strong hold
lures fail ~ that any way RESPONSE
Bile for this than TOR the attraction OF gravitaon
In conclusion, allow me to say that the National Rifle
Association does not wish to itself in the position OF
urging any one to share its privileges 1t has established
grand practice ground within easy reach OF the city the
advantages of which 1t freely offers to all who will avail
themselves of them Its object and its only object is to
encourage legitimate interest in the subject-nost i'm
portant In military sense-of rife practice; not how
ever to the neglect Of other branches OF military
training to the interference with those per-
sonal duties which each one, it would seem, can
be safely trusted to TO for himself That it
has already had its effect Colonel Clark cordially testi
es and H. in his opinion in the opinion Of any others
proficiency in rife practice can be better attained else
sure, will have no dispute with them on that score II
offers its privileges TO all and as the law the passage OF
which was procured by the officers Of the association,
absolutely prohibits these officers from obtaining
sonal emoumcnts whatever from their positions they
have other than public interest in the OF
Creedmoor WILLIAM G. CHURCH,
. President National Rife Association.
New YORK, June IL, 1873