The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-10-08
Kansas National Guarti.


Following is the address of welcome de-
livered by the Governor 10 the Kansas Ma
tiOnal Guard at Topeka, September %:
Soldiers of the Kansas National Guard:
In recent story by a well-kuown Ameri-
can author the characters engage in an
aftcr-dnner discussion concerning the war
of the Rebellion. and one of them remarks
that the astonishing fact connected with it
WAS tine superabundance OF hcroism il re-
vealed. Then he asks his son: How many
young men do you know who would think it
sweet to die for their country Very modest
ly the young man replies: y can not think
OF great many at the moment sir " mere
upon his uncle. q gallant soldier during the
war, says: Nor could in 1861, nevertheless
they were there"
The occasion ia wanting now, hut as they
were there" in 1861. so have ia tn TO believe
that any great cause would find tlsem now.
/ can remember hearing dolOrOuS Orators IN
the years just preceding the outbreak of the
rebellion, bewailing the degeneracy OF the
times, and declaring that beroism and patr-
Otsm were things OF the past. The flash OF
the gun at Sumter revealed not only the Ma
ton peril, but its strength and glory. In
month. farms and workshops were deserted,
and the peaceful North. TRANSPORTED by the
splendor of its passion, became nation OF
warriors
In the story to which | have already re-
ferred. one of the characters, after quietly
telling an incident of a desperate battle in
which his regiment sustained a severe loss,
says. with intense feeling: 81 don't want to
see any more men killed III my time. This
sentiment will feel confident, be approved
by every so lder of the late war Certainly
I hope that no Occas on for call ng the KAN
SaS National Guard" into active service may
ever arise. But | am sure that if such an
occasion did come, y0u would be equal to
its duties and lis responsibilities. Some OF
Won know what war is. You learned ii on
fields where the earth trcmbied with the
shock of contend .ng hosts. Most, if not all
of you. have in your veins the blood of mon
uCh ia, End hprnas /
confident that, If You were called upon III
any emergency demanding an IlluStrat TN of
true soldieriy qualities, you would prove
yourselves worthy successors OF the men OF
lS6l-5.
hope you will continue to maintain an
efficient organization. | congratulate YOU
on the proficiency you have already attained
in drill and discipline. This YEAR, for the
first time the State has made some provision
for ma ntaining wellOrganlZed military
force. and this encouragement ought 10 in
crease your interest in the organ zatiOnS to
which you belong. and your activity in dis
charging your duties aS;nemirerS of the an
saS National Guard. The instruction Fou
receive as soldiers, the drill and disclpl NJ TO
which you subject yourselves are not with
out their uses, even i'll times of profound
peace. Every man who has been drilled IS a
soldier il physically benefited by such eNer-
else; and the lessons 'Of obedience, of re-
Spect for law. of pr0mptneSS in the discharge
of duty. of faithfulnesS. patriotism and
courage. that are the inspiration of soldierly
you N every relation of life.
1t gives me pleasuc'c tomeet you- | trust
your brief sOjourn in camp will enot only
instructive, but pleasant. 10 one and all of
you. Your general officers are all trained
ard experienced Soda erS. who served the 4
country faithfully and hUnorably in time OF
war. and your Maior-Ge neral left n leg on
one of the battle fields of the late civil war
Many of your field and line Officers ARE also
experienced soldiers. They are thus
thoroughly qualified. by habits and ,educa
ton, to instruct Voc in your duties. and ]
have no doubt they will take pride and
pleasure in doing so.
And now. soldiers Sh ithe Northumberland,
remember that you are here on duty. Be
prompt in responding TO every order; pre-
serve discipline in YOUR camp: 6nd so con
duct yourselves, when absent from it, as to
bring no reproach on the uniform you wear.
You voluntarily put il on. Try to honor if
bv the manliness of sobriety; by the grace
and pride of duty faithfully performed; and
BY the conduct of a true soldier. who. honor
ing the badge of hfs service never fails to
honor himself.