The sun., 1878-09-23
The Triumph Of American Rifle Practice.

The Triumph Of American Rifle Practice.
The occurrence, during the past week. Of
the regular fall meeting ut CreedmoOr re-
minds us that six years ago Americans. as
class. knew but little about modern rifle prac-
tice. Creedmoor itself has changed all this.
and has raised Us from the foot to the summit
Of the ladder Of success in marksmuuship.
For the benefits accruing from Crecdmoor We
are indebted TO the National Guard Of the
State OF New York. These nre things to be
proud OF, and New Workers, as well as all
Americans can crow over them without uu-
due vanity.
Six years ago England was the recognized
head of the military rlne-shooting world.
and Canada came next The National Rifle
Association of Great Britain was the author
ity on military and long range shooting. 1t
is true that the Swiss We're wonderful marks
men at short range, and that the American
telescope rifle experts performed grea, icats.
but both classes used rifles Of such great
weight and SO deiicateiy constructed that
they were useless for war or hunting. The
English used none but practical military
and sporting rifles. excluding even hair tiig
gers as dangerous. and from Wimbledon
radiated the glory Of the best shots In the
world. Canada followed the same system.
and sent over teams to Wimbledon which
on several occasions took high honors: bat
the public OF the United States. home of
DANIEL. BOONE. MoRGAN's rifcmen, and the
more famous if mythical LEATHERsroCKING.
took no interest In Workmanship outside Of
dime novels.
Then il was that n number Of New York
city militiamcn and other citizens met to-
gether, organized n club which they boldly
entitled the National Rifle Association. pet!-
toned the Legislature oI the State Of New
York for help, and finally established Greed.
moor Range. Since that time great revo-
luton has occurred in the positions ut Ing
land and the United States in regard 70
athletic sports oi more than one descrip-
tion, and il is To the spirit reused by the
victories Of CrecdmoOr teams that we owe
most Of IT,. When the range was first started
II followed the English rules and patterns
closely. A committee went to Canada to
learn of Canadians. and the early prize
meetings at CreedmoOr We're captured
| almost entirely by Canadian pot-hunters.'
so called, men who made business OF
shooting for silver pitchers and other
prizes.
The Americans worked on, till at last
they turned the tables in 1874 Since that
time they have kept them turned. In
1874 the Amateur Rife Club, composed Of
New York city and Brooklyn marksmen,
defeated the Irish team at Creedmoor by
exactly one point In ESQ, and thought they
had made Il narrow escape from defeat
In 1875 the same team beat the Irish In
a.
scores ever before made In tile same year
the vctors coached the vanqushed in the
famous Elcho Shield match, and helped
them to beat the English and Scotch at
Wimbledon itself. In 1876 the Americans
beat Ireland, Scotland, Canada, and Austria
liza at CreedmoOr still more decisively, and
by scores higher than had ever before been
reached. Finally, in 1871. the Englishmen
themselves came over to Creedmoor, beat
everything that had been done by any for
mer team, and yet We're dccisively and ire
trieyably defeated by Ameri cans some OF
whom had never touched a rifle before
! CreedmoOr was established. The last and
most convincing evidence that America is
at the head Of the rifle shooting world is
ound IN the demand this year, OF the Cana
dian team to be- allowed handicap at
Creedmoor, ostensibly on account Of infe-
ror weapons.
These triumphs with sporting rifles have
been followed by others equally great with
military teams, When Creedmoor was first
opened, the shooting Of the New York mil-
tia was far below that Of the Canadian
volunteers, and still further below that OF
the English. Now our country regiments on
the northern border go over yearly to meet
the Canadians at the target, and peat them
| every time; while the average Of Creedmoor
military practice is nearly twenty per cent,
higher than that Of Wimbledon. Thus We
see that Creedmoor has made us into a
nation Of good shots. as far as our militia
goes.
1t IS well to remember all these facts. be-
cause the triumphs recorded and results ob-
talned have been almost devoid of cost to
the country at large. The sum OF less
than 100000, expended by the States of
New York New Jersey, Connecticut, and
Massachusetts,, aided by the independent
efforts Of private citizens has studded the
country with rifle ranges, which remain as
valuable property in constant use.
During the time in which Creedmoor has
existed no less than one hundred and eighty
millions OF dollars have been expended by
the country at large to support regular
army that should have been the instructor
! Of the militia in the use Of weapons. as In