Elizabeth daily monitor. [volume] (Elizabeth, N.J.) 1868-1880, 1873-07-10
THE NATIONAL GUARD.

The state military board, at q recent
meeting, adopted the United States
army regulations where the same do not
interfere with the laws of this common
wealth-for the governance of the Ma
tional Guard. This step is regarded
with favor by those who are able to
maintain discipline in the various COM
mands. With the appointment of New
Jerseys foremost soldier-Major Gener-
al Motto the command of the divi-
sion, commenced a new era in the man
agement of the National Guard.
1t is notorious that there arc those
in command who are incapable of cor
rectly commanding corporal's guard,
and something must be done iii the
National guard is to take its proper
position), to weed out those who are an
incubus to the organization.
Commanders who lounge about gin.
mills, while goo men are compelled to
remain standing for hours exposed to n
burning sun, should be removed, and
with the least possible delay. ->
Commanders who are incapable of
executing SINCE man@uvre with the
troops committed to their charge must
be got rid of ere the service will be
such as to command admiration.
.,.-,,;. The people ef-Nsw-.lsrssy,- Ae~s~ef'
have the fullest confidence in the vari-
Gus commanding officers of regiments
and battalions, nearly all of whom won
honorable distinction on the battle fields
of the republic, and unless this was as
it is there would be but slight recon-
pense to the state for its appropriations
to the service.
We have in our minds eye COM
mander who has never as yet caused
his brigade to execute single move on
the field that could not have been done
at the regimental armories. Why should
the state be compelled to pay thousands
of dollars year for transporting troops
from one section to another, when not a
single evolution is performed. The
four or five Regiments are transported
Ito Camden, say,l and drawn up in a
line, arms are presented, the companies
wheeled into column and passed in re-
view, then marched through and all over
the streets OF city till the men are
completely exhausted, then sent home.
all feeling the evil effects of the march.
The troops are thus demoralized, and
many so thoroughly disguised that they
will sutferpunishment sooner than be pla.
ced again under incompetent and indif-
ferent leaders. If brigade parades IRE moi
ordered with different view hereafter
than to march up and down the streets
of city, the sooner the state abolishes
the requirement the better 1t is moth
ing less than mere waste of money
and the effects are beginning to be
plainly seen.
The commanding officers of regiments
and battulions have all the responsibility
and to them alone the people look for
perfect organizations. Why then hould
they be disheartened and demoralized I
At the commsa cement Of the war,
many -incoupsss' !. s,.,,,4 soYardiy men
attached themselves to commands, and
obtained positions, but at the first smell
of powder they returned to their homes,
So it was when the National Guard was
organized. Incompetent men obtained
commands, for which they did not and
do not possess single qualification,
and the service is damaged by their
conduct.
Incompetent officers must now give
way to their betters 4; and General Mott
must see that his command is not made
longer to suffer in consequence thereof.
A.