San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-06-28
OUR CITIZEN SOLDIERS.

OOH VI OSLGlGhO'
To citizen government a citizen
soidiery. No matter how completely at
peace a nation may be within herself, or
how fav0rably situated to repel foreign
invasion, it is not wise to allow the
martial spirit to die out. More good
reasons can be Rdduced for the main
tainance of strong body OF citizen
soldiers, thoroughly drilled, efficiently
equipped and generally distributed than
for the maintenance OF any large body
of regular troops. This fact is now
conceded in the more progressive states
Of this Union. The creation and main
tainance of citizen soldiers, or national
guards, has come to be accepted as one
Of the primal duties of the state. and
legislation has been shaped accordingly.
Complete provisions for enlisting, equip
ping, drilling, inspecting, and provision
ing during their semi-annual enOamp-
ments, are made by the state. Armories
are built and stocked and no proper
means left untried to make the service
rs effective as is possible for citizen
soldiers to constitute it. Texas is way
behind in taking hold of this matter.
No state in the Union more needs a
strong, active body of national guards,
who while pursuing the peaceful indus
tries of life are fitted for a nations de-
tense, at comparatively small cost to the
government The enlistment and
differing of such body of citizen
soldiers, as Texas should main
tain, could be made most
efiectual means of fostering a spirit
of manly patriotism; OF true obedience
10 law; OF accurate, methodical move
ment which would soon grow habitual;
Ofreal self-sacrifce, of familiarity with
the self-denial necessary to a soldiers
life in the field-whiCh could not but
exert a marked influence for good upon
those who subjected themselves to the
discipline of the drill room and camp.
Texas is to-day dotted over with mill
tary companies, self-maintained, whose
efficiency In drill, soldierly bearing, and
general appearance would do credit to
regular troops. The material is here; it
is the duty of the state to give it body
and uniformity Of condition and govern
ment. We commend to the next legis-
lature Of Texas the enactment of q body
Of laws governing the creation, equip
ment and maintenance OF as many regi-
ments OF national guards as are deemed
necessary. For these let the state pro-
vide arms ,armories, clothing, equipments
and provision them while in annual or
semi-annual camp. Let these enlist
ments be such as to make service an
honorable thing; let the election of
officers be made to stimulate the mill
tary pride and minister TO the ambition
for efficiency in the manual of arms and
In general sOldierly qualities as we'll;
let provision be made for annual or
semi-annual encsmpments Of these reg
iments, under state supervision and
at state expense; let such a spirit
be evoked and fostered as to make char
aOtoI anu eLlClSncy lhe uaThs anu true
criterion Of the estimation in which
each citizen soldier shall be held, and
dismissal from the service will soon
come to be accepted as an indelible
stigma. Let these things be done, and
such others as are necessary to carry cut
the broad intent of such a service as
will make membership in the National
guards a credit, and distinction therein
glory, and this state will soon find her
self possessed of citizen soldiery that
will answer every possible purpose,
for which an efficient military could be
desired. The boys of Texas and their
friends have done more than should be
required Of them unaided by the state.
They have maintained their OIganiZa-
tions as companies until they have
challenged the admiration Of older
states and successfully competed with