New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-12-29
THE NATIONAL GUARD,

The dispute between two regiments Of the
National Guard over their respective claims
to site informally selected for a new ArmOry
and to priority in the possession of a new regi-
mental home provided by the taxpayers Of this
city Is unfortunate from moro than one point
of view. We alluded yesterday to prevalent
feeling that the 9th Regiment had been sub
jected-to state the case mildly and without
offence to anybody-to an Indifference on the
part Of those empowered to deal with its de-
mands quite sufficient to account for the irrita-
ton which its members feel. This fact, how
ever, does not absolve them from the duty Of
apportioning the blame with great caution
Of avoiding the display of untimely resent
ment, and of otherwise maintaining that deli
cate sense of a soldiers honor which it is easy
to lose and hard to restore. This community
has been educated to look upon its citizen
soldiery as an institution and not toy. Our
regiments are expected to furnish full equiv
alent for the money expended on them. Every
body hopes that the occasion for their active
employment may never arise, and it certainly
does not require call to arms TO demonstrate
their value. The people believe that the Ma
tional Guard is a guarantee Of public order,
quate recompense for liberal OUTLAWS
And certainly the OUTLAWS have been liberal.
Several of the regiments are already quartered
in splendid buildings erected upon costly sites,
and hitherto there has been no apparent in
clination on the part of the taxpayers to COM
plain of past expenditures, or protest against
a continuation of the same generosity. This
public appreciation practically manifested is
perfectly proper and in every way commend
able, but, at the same time, we do not hesitate
to say that it is, under all the circumstances,
somewhat surprising. New-York is frghtfully
misgoverned and pillaged by the conscience
less spendthrifts whom it places in power, and
a majority of the people seem to be aware of
the fact every day in the year except Election
Day They live under CALLING sense of being
cheated, Of paying for the possession Of many
rights which they never get and the abolition
of many wrongs which they continually suffer.
They vince under the heavy burden of taxa
ton, and scrutinize the list of appropriations
with unforgiving eyes. And yet we do not re-
member a single harsh or contemptuous crit
icism of the policy which is providing new
armories without regard to anything except
the comfort and efficiency of the soldiers
Moreover, this friendly and hospitabe attitude
is the more striking when the fact is recalled
that it is many years since the regiments were
required to serve the city or State in action,
and that not since the railway riots Of 1877
has there been any specific reason to apprehend
that this city might be about to need their pro-
lection. They must be associated in the minds
Of many unreflecting persons merely with social
and ornamental functions, and yet, even from
these we hear no word of protest or criticism.
THE TRIBUNE rejoices that so just an esti-
mate Of the value of the National Guard to the
community should prompt the people to so gen.
erous support. We cordially uphold the
arguments in its behalf at which we have hint
ed and we believe, furthermore, that one of
the most important returns which it makes
may be recognized, though not accurately
measured, in the vigor sobriety, self-respect
and public spirit of its members. Holding
this opinion. we should consider it misfortune
If anything should occur to diminish the pop
nlar approval which it now enjoys and de-