Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1885-10-08
Kansas \ atiOnal Guard.

Following is the address of welcome de-
liyered by the Governor to the Kansas Ma
tional Guard at Topeka, September 20:
Soldiers of the Kansas National Guard:
In recent story by a wellknown Ameri-
can author, the characters engage in an
after-dinner discussion concerning the war
of the Rebellion, and one of them remarks
that the astonishing fact connected with II
was the superabundance of her0ism 1t 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: Il can not think
of great many at the moment, sir" Where
upon his uncle, gallant soldier during the
| war, says: "Nor could 1 in 1861, nevertheless
they were there"
were there in 1861, so have fa tn to believe
that any great cause would find them 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 herOism and patr.
otism were things of the past. The flash OF
the gun at Sumter revealed not only the va
tons peril, but its strength and glory. In a
month, farms and workshops were deserted,
and the peaceful North. TRANSPORTED by the
splendor Of it's 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, III
which his regiment sustained severe loss.
says, with intense feeling: II don't want to
see any more men killed in my time" This
sentiment will. feel confident, be approved
| by every SO ldier of the late war. Certainly,
hope that no occasion for calling the Kan
sas National Guard into active service may
ever arise. But am sure that If such an
occasion did come, you would be equal 70
you know what war is. You learned it on
| fields where the earth trembled with the
| shock of cOntending hosts. Most. ii not all
of YOU have in your veins the blood of men
who were soldiers and heroes. And ] am
confident that, if you were called upon IN
any emergency demanding an illustrat on OF
true soldieriy qualities. you you'd prove
| yourselves worthy successors Of the men or
| 1875.
hope you will continue to maintain an
| efficient organization. l congratulate you
| in drill and discipline. This year, for the
| first time, the State has made some provision
| for ma ntainng a well-OrganiZed military
| force, and this announcement ought 10 m
| crease your interest in the organizations to
| which you belong, and your activity in DIS
| charging your duties as members of the Kan
| sas National Guard. The instruction you
| receive as soldiers the drill and disclpl ne TO
which you subject yourselves, are not with.
| out their uses, even in times OF profound
peace. Every man who has been drilled as q
| soldier is physically benefited by such eXer-
| else; and the lessons of obedience, of re-
spect for law, of prOmptneSS in the discnarge
| of duty, of faithfulness, patriotism and
| courage, that are the inspiration of soldierly
| you in every relation of life.
1t gives me pleasure to meet you. / trust
| your brief sOjOurn in camp will be not only
| instructive, but pleasant, to one and all OF
you. Your general officers are all trained
| and experienced sold crs, who served Their
| country faithfully and honorably in time OF
| war, and your MajOr-General left leg on
I 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 you in your duties. ana !
| have no doubt they will take pride and
| pleasure in doing so.
And now, soldiers of the National Guard.
remember that you are here on duty. BE
| prompt in responding to every order; pre-
| serve discipline in your camp: and SO con
| duct yourselves, when absent from it, as TO
| bring no reprOach on the uniform you wear
| You voluntarily put it on. Try to honor IL
| 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 his service never fails ia
| honor himself.