The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1885-01-02
SENSIBLE TALK.
General Sherman on the Militia of the Country.

General Sherman on the Militia of the Country,
New YORK, Dec. 24.-The military insti-
tuition At Governors Island was at its best
yesterday. A large gathering Of gentlemen
met to listen to General William Tecumseh
Sherman. General Haucsck presided. The
audience was one which 1t was net necessa-
~ TO call TO order. General Sherman, in the
course Of his address upon "The Military
Necessities Of the United States" said:
"Whenever I approach any matter necessita-
ting labor and study, shrink from IL, feel
ing disposed 10 claim all the advantages of
retirement, ssd certain that We may leave
the future in the hands Of the bright youth
we see daily growing up around US. Every
age produces It's own wonder, and the expe-
rience Of mankind is that the agents of the
former epoch are rarely adapted to modern
uses. am convinced by actual experience,
that habit Is q moro valuable quality than
what il called courage.
"Take hundred Of the bravest men, un-
accustomed to the confusion of battle, march
them up 10 . breastwerk, and they will break
and drop to the ground sooner than would
hundred average men Of the regular army
that have become accustomed to obey the
command "Fsll in," "Forward," etc. On
this simple rule Of habit rests the existence
Of the regular army to-day In this grand re-
public. All parties agree that 1t Is becoming
the settled policy of our goysrnmontto main
"A Ind ~
more rs school for instruction than for act
ual service. This army, in case Of invasion,
must be supplemented by the militia, mas.
much As the militia IL . physical force on
which the Chief magistrate of the Nation
must mainly depend for the execution of his
high Office. 1t, therefore, becomes our duty
as soldiers and citizens to aid, Is far a. We
may, to mould that militia into form In
which 1t may be valuable when called into
active service.
"Thsre has been bill introduced In Con-
grsss by General II. w. Slocum, the passage
Of which would be long stride in the di
rsction OF change. The whole bill sub |
repeats the old, antiquated system
Of militia devised by our revolutionary faith |
ers, and substitutes a new ono far better |
adapted to our modern experience.
awhile enrolling ell men subject to Mill |
tary duty, IL leaves the great mass at home,
and segregates the smaller number to fulfill |
The purpose Of our Cons.itution--to be /
properly armed, equipped and accoutered- /
md proposes for this purpose the annua; sum
Of $6co,00s. Again, instead Of TOO men for
each member and delegate in Congress, |
could suggest more convenient and better
understood battalion Of four companies, OF .
maximum Of 100 and minimum Of City men
'or each company. The total number of
Congressional Districts and Territories is
low about $40 men. This will give 1920
to 100 regiments Of 10 companies
zach, aggvegating = maximum Of 1890, 600
md minimum Of CSC, 600, force amply SUN
lent for the possibilities Of the case. TAX
NC this lesser number and assuming the
,ost Of each militia man to be $50 per an
,um (and this isa large assumption, be-
ieve), IL will make the aggregate cost ST.
1900. would divide the sum equally
'stween the United States and the commu-
titles In which any company, battalion or
egiment resides. Nearly ell the officers
rho compose this institution can recall eur
experience with new regiments, - they came
. u raw and Impractical, and how soon BY
association they became experienced soldiers.
The bill proposed will aid the States to make
me uniform system throughout the United
states"
II believe," said the General In conclu-
ion, ''there d no moro important subject
0 day before this institution than that Of -
istius In psrfecting the militis, and in bring
Into more cordial intercourse with the
sgular army and people Of the United
itates."