The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1884-05-08
A huttOnnl tinnid.

A hntionnl Gmnid.
In response 10 a letter from the Cover.
nor OF Missouri rendering him the com.
mission Of Brigadier. GENERAL OF tho Ma.
tional Guard Of Missouri, General Sher.
man addst o his declination some COM
meuts applicable to most OF tho statea, and
not more to Missouri than West Virginia.
The General Bays that while he cannot nc.
copt the commission, rs 4 resident and
tax. payer he shall insis! on his full right
10 the absolute security OF his life and
property; and he adds:
To this ond, the maintenance by the State
OF Il vol regulated militia 10 oil more jInpor-
lance than all the politics with which our
people are kept In q state OF everlasting ex.
element. Tie Gtate makes liberal provision
for its local police, for iis courts, Judges.
HheriiIy aud Mnrshnls; for It's legislative and
militia, composed OF poor young men, 10 giye
grutia their time and money, 10 provide their
own armories, uniforms, clothing, arms, and
accoutrements, aud TO resaond 10 tho call OF
the Governor TO uuell riots and mObs, always
caused by soma popular clainor Of prejudice,
whereby they often incur the ill.will Of their
ne'ghbors and employers, and lose the very
bread needed by their families. This should
not be, and now Ia the iims TO correct this
evil, which Is universal In the Hunted States.
The General advises tho Governor to
urge upon the Senators and Representatives
Of Missouri the passage OF the slocum Mi.
litia bill, and upon the State Legislature q
liberal measure to supplement national
aid.
The standing army Of The United States
scattered from Alaska to the Gulf Of Mex
leo, and from the Atlantic 10 the Pacific
occupied chiefly in keeping tho Indians il
subsection, is too small for a national re
lance in time OF trouble. We have neyel
had, and never shall have, any difficulty
in putting in the field n sufficient force o
men drawn from peaceful pursuits, but III,
experience Of the late war teaches ii,
greater value Of the wcll-drilled militiamar
over the raw recruit. From the militia o
the states our officers were largely drawn
and many Of these achieved renown. Blu
well.ordered State force is useful in tint
OF peace to reinforce the civil am Of thu
law, when lie and, property would other
wise be without protection.
AS General Sherman points out, State
are willing to make liberal provision 10
anything else: the militia must take car
OF itself. About tho only encouragement
that men have to form themselves int
military companies is tina! it offers anothe
way to spend their money. Nobody ex
poets q police force to be cell. supportinp
the day Of volunteer tiremen 10 over excep
in the smallest places; yet the militiama1
is expected TO provide for himsell almcs
everything that he needs. This is not fail
to the men, and c worse policy for the Sat
would be difficult 10 conceive.
Our standing army numbers about %,
600 men. We could easily have a Nation
al Guard OF half a million effective men
who could be put in the field at q week
notice, ready to do good service. The sen
timent Of the country is opposed to a large
standing army aud to compulsory military
service, neither Of which is necessary. l
the National and State Governments viii
purauo a liberal military policy the mer
will be forthcoming, and We shall have 6
National Guard that will be creditabla tc
fity.five millions Of people. Even WesI
Virginia would wake up and do some.
thing.