The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1879-03-28
MILITIA VS.. REGULARS.

army of the United States. For the
purpose ef comparison, and In order to
investigate Mr.. Dana's assertion that
the militia are superior TO and just as
| effective as the regular army, we must
take both as we end them. Both have
been improved through the many years
Of experience since their establishment,
and represent, perhaps, the most prac-
tical, If not the highest, development
of military science. -
While we are decidedly in favor of
the standing army as opposed to the
militia, we do not desire to underate
either the glory or courage of the latter.
Why, is not the memory of youth teem-
ing with tender recollections of par
AIDES, training day, massive decorations
of brass and waterfalls of overawing
epauletsp And, don't you remember,
dear reader, how fierce and awful
scowled the grand commander who
rode in front of his polished legions,
and whose steed selected for its pranc-
ing t~endencies) wa the horror of the
small urchins who led the van? And
what majesty of bearing graced that
military heroi He had i'the front of
Jove himself, an eye like Mars, to
threaten and commando No wonder
that the ambition of youth caused to be
recorded 80 many avowals that the sole
destiny of life was to hire q bespangled,
fractions steed on state occasions,
wear epaulets, and look awfnlly grand.
But we must not forget the noble and
patient men in the ranks every one of
whom was capable Of succeeding the
commander in chief. Their spinal
columns were always honored with an
extra touch Of starch on street parade,
and they were the cherished heroes of
peace; the great attraction for senti-
mental girls and admiring relatives.
Their %glory-but it strikes us that the
glory Of the militia has been greatly
boosted already, and therefore to the
point.
The best way to measure the value of
a military system is to test it practi-
cally. Rules Of organization, and
drills, are all for the common object of
utility and effect. No matter how
good an army may look in review, or
how like machinery its uniform man.
euvers, its true value is not known until
it has gone through the crucial test.
Eorly In tho NAV of 1910 ,vhao tha
first American armies were sent to the
Canadian frontier only to be igno-
miniously bagged, a somewhat obscure
officer became convinced that the
soldiers were not properly handled, and
therefore devised himself a drill sys-
tenn. Then, with a confidence, II not
effrontery that would have earned him u
trial by courtmartial from some author
tiles, he wrote to the secretary of war,
(Gen. John Armstrong; and denounced
the gross incapacity Of the American
generals; recommended that Gen.
Jacob Brown, Of Pennsylvania, be
given command of the army of inva-
sion; intimated that If the army were
drilled and taught properly, it could
sweep the British army from the banks
of the st. Lawrence, and, what re-
sembled closely q case Of sublime cheek,
limited that he himself could teach the
troops the way to victory. He was, to
the establishment Of the army officers,
commissioned to establish a school of
instruction at Buffalo. Thus was a
military hero brought out-brought
outp No; he rather forced himself for
ward. Such was the grand start made
by Gen. Winfield Scott.
In a short time Scott's pupils were
pronounced ready for action. Under
Brown and Scott they crossed the bor-
der, met the Canadian and English
forces, and the strength: of all the
veterans of Wellington, fresh from
their victories in Spain, who boosted
that no enemy eve saw their backs.
The British were driven from the. field.
Again did the new army meet the
bronzed veterans, and while the British
were not exactly routed, they retired
during the night. Such were the ex-
periences at Chippewa and Lundy's
Lane. Scott's subsequent career is too
well known to need reciting here.
The point we wish to make clear is
that effectiveness determines the value
of the army, and that all preparation
and regulation is directed to secure
that end. Therefore, If we measure
the militia by their service under arms,
and the regulars likewise, we will ar
rive at their true worth.
Gen. Thos. F. Rodenburgh, of that
army which the sun says ''has no. ex-
istence save by the courtesy, or folly,
or stupidity Of the people, contributes
an article to the United Service Re
cie,u, entitled 1.-THE militia system of
the United States" In a small space
the general shows the idiotic folly of
relying upon the '1ove and patriotism
of the people in time of trouble" The
truth is, IS he puts it: "Unless the af-
fections Of the people art iron-clad,
disciplined, and organized, but few
battles can be won by their aid" The
Sun, or Mr.. Dana, should know that
''love and patriotism absolutely failed
during the great riots of vi. Those
riots are commented upon by Gen.
Rodenburgh, and he easily demonstrates
the weakness Of citizen soldiery. In