St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-01-15
GLOBE THURSDAY 1855.
pu,ept. The soldiers should arrange

campIent. The soldiers should arrange
their affairs so as to devote the entire week to
the camp. Companies should vie with each
other in cleanliness of tent and street, and in
general department Men permitted to
leave camp should be enjoine to keep their
blonses buttoned and their caps in proper
| position. so as to present a sodierly appear
ance. The sight of men roaming
about the streets with unbuttoned
coats and caps on the back of their
heads is not calculated to favorably impress
citizens. 1t should be remembered that a
soldier is soldier whether on duty or on
leave,an any misconduct on his part reflects
on his regiment.
Instruction-The necessity of preparation
on the part Of officers, in advance of camp,
for the work of instruction, was alluded to,
Tor If these are neglected time must be spent
at camp in acquiring such knowledge instead
of devotng it TO advanced studies. Little in
structions in the tactics as to positions of
officers, commands, etc, receive too little at
tenton, but are positively essential TO SER
les OF successful evolutiOns. The colonel
thought it unfortunate that regimental com
manders in this state had so few opportuni-
ties of exercising their commands. He
thought every company officer should feel
pride in his position, and if he has not time
nor inclination to attend to it,
he SHOULD RESIGN.
Ample time should be devoted to rife prac-
tice. A soldier should be able to hit the
object at which he aims, and he can only
| do this by being under competent instruc-
ton. He urged the necessity for an inspec-
tor Of rifle practice, to be added to each
regimental staff The state should also
make suitable appropriation for ammu-
milton
In conclusion the colonel said:
For the time that the national guard Of
this state has been organized, it has made
great progress, and with due attention to the
foregoing subjects it is safe to say that it will
give good account of itself whenever it may
be called into service"
DIR. sKNNER's PAPER.
! DR.. Skinner, of Minneapolis, read a
lengthy paper on Confluence of the repu-
tation of the national guards" which
which was attentiveiy listened to and was
highly commended by the delegates. The
paper began with tie following quotation
from Josh Billings: 'sLet the world know
that you can be spit upon and you will be a
| spittoon for life.' The doctor drew the con-
cusion that if you let the world know that
you are no spittoon you will be
in no danger of being used as
such. He added "a man may
obtain a reputation by single act which
will last him his whole life, and be wide
| spread all the time. If man is present to
resent the first intended insult or injury, his
| future will be much smoother than if he
| tamely submits and is branded as coward.
A Texas sheriff could make very little head
way making arrests among the roughs with
whom he has frequently TO deal, unless he
the reputation for bulldog courage
and OF being quick and sure shot. Let
him be intimidated by bullets or show cow
ardice but once and his usefulness ever after
ward is very much limited. know q po-
| liceman in this city who, if he never fires
another shot, will always have the reputation
OF being dead shot with pistol or rifle. AS
a result he has less trouble in arrestng GRIM
inals, who are not slow to find out
what officers are not to be
trifed with than others of his comrades.
What l have said of individuals is also true
Of troops. 'The charge of the Light brigade"
at Balaklava were for that organization rep
utation which will last for centuries.
| The paper mentioned the riots in Bos-
ton in 1862, and In New York soon after,
and bow they were put down by summary
action of the soldiery. During the railroad
strike in Pittsburgh in 1877 the troops were
dubbed and stoned and retreated, leaving
the wild mob masters of the situation. II is
stated that the state had issued no cartridges
and the troops were handicapped, but few
brilliant bayonet charges would have IN
| doubtedly sufilced TO have quelled the riot.
The paper spoke of the Chicago guards.
No one knows whether they can shoot or not.
But little more than week ago they were
given an opportunity to win a reputation. 1t
was when the socialistic meeting was held.
| A mob holds soldiers who do not shoot in
ut er contempt. The reputation for courage
can only be acquired by having our courage
| put TO the test. Any amount of saying we
are brave will not convince the public. The
reputation OF being marksmen ought TO be
| acquired by every member of the guards.
| There are those who VIII not fire their rifles
ut the target when the opportunity is pre-
scnted. Out Of 3f4 reported as answering
roll call at Camp Sheridan last July, l29 did
not fire a shot The figure of most OF those
who fired ia $500, but OF the
whole regiment it is but $3.50.
Rifles are certainly not for the sole purpose
Of having something to fix bayonets on. We
are but Young set. but beg leave to give the
standing Of one New England regiment of
eight companies only. There were 25s
marksmen and seyeniy-eight sharpshootcrs.
The qualifications were 80 per cent. at 200
| and 500 yards for marksmen, and so per
cent at the same for sharpshooters.
The paper concluded by saying:
The consciousness Of bong able TO use
your rife aifectually gives you confidence
aud assurance that nothing else can, and
| makes a brave man out OF timid one.
That confidence and assurance will show
itself in every look and motion. You can't
conceal 1t II you would. 1t will impart a
kind Of business air that will call forth the re-
mark: "You can't fool with that fellow
much" Then your reputation will almost
make 1t necessary to never FIRE shot. For
humanity's sake may the time when we will
enjoy this reputation not be many years
| distant.
OLD OFFICERS REFLECTED.
The election Of officers resulted in choos-
ing the old officers, and only few changes
were made in appointing committees.
The following officers were elected: Col. ".
! B. Bend, president; Lieut.. Col. Brooks, vice
president; Lieut.. W. J. SenuOn, secretary;
Lieut.. William Dawson, treasurer.
The next annual meeting will be held in
81. Paul.