Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-01-05
A BROAD POLICY FOR THE NATIONAL
GUARD.

1t ia a good suggestion on the part Of
Adjutant. G eneral Cosby that a combined
effort be made to have the present heavy
guns in use by the National Guard Of the
several States replaced by light guns, such
as the Lowell or the Calling. The pieces
now in use necessitate heavy horses at
large cost, and as a consequence the militia
men are seldom drilled in the use of the
guns. The light artillery arm of the ser.
vice should be as we'll drilled as the infant
~, certainly, General Cosby might well
advise a modification also Of the dress uni.
form of the National Guard. 1t is i'll
adapted to the climatic conditions of the
valleys, at least.
These considerations lead us natural to
che thought that liberal policy should be
inaugurated for the whole organized militia
system. In case of war it is certain that
we must rely upon the volunteers OF the
country. The militia in its organized ca
pacity, If kept up to high standard, will
always furnish nucleus for a grand army,
that will respond to the national call on a
few hours notice. The country should be
in accord with the words of President
Arthur in his late message, when he
urges that Congress enact into law broad
measures to encourage the militia organiza-
lions of the nation.
There has been vast deal of twaddle
about holiday soldiers and street parade
militia 1t is considered extremely
funny, and Is taken as an evidence of
wit and caustic rhetoric, to come up to the
Legislature and abuse the soldiers of the
State whose victories are won or CORY
Fourths OF July. 1t is deemed a special
evidence of economy and watchfulness
over the treasury and the inter
ests of q" the dear people, by leg.
islatorg TO cut down the militia appro-
priations and starve the National Guard.
Washington and Jefferson entertained very
different views. They never ceased to
urge upon the people the necessity of a we'll
disciplined militia as a safeguard of re-.
publican institutions,
The organized militia of this State con-
sists OF men from counter, bench and shop.
In the vast majority of cases they are poor
men, and possessed of little property. All
they have in the world is the daily wages
they earn, and possibly humble homes
These men enter the companies of the Ma
tional Guard not for glory or renown. Far
from it, The love for military discipline
and the desire to cultivate the military
taste and some little pride in soldierly
bearing and display, are probably actual
ing forces. But whatever the motive,
these men give their time to the State
They meet weekly, and engage in severe
drills. They pay from their own pocket
the larger part of the cost of company
maintenance. They expend their money
in the necesssries that company organiza.
tion renders essential They give up their
evenings to attend to militia affairs. They
abandon their wages to do honor to city,
town and State in street parsdes and in
celebrations. They are, under the call of
the State, liable to be taken from their
daily vocAtions to serve the common.
wealth at mere pittance per month-not
sufficient to pay the monthly rent Of the
AazsE the most of them occupy.
ghey engage in annual encampments