Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-14
Patriotism Actuates Regimental Young
Men as Much as Social and
Spectacular Pleasures
QUALITIES OF THE MILITARY MAN.
General schcfsd Would be the Best Leader in Case o.
War Next to Sherman
rwRIrrEN FOR THE pIsPArcH.I J

peril?lIt is further asserted that they chiefly
join regiments for social purposes and for
the recreation given them during their sum-
mer vacation in camp lie and in city
parades. Can this be so?
In answer to the first question, the writer,
having had wide experience, asserts with
out hesitation that the declaration is not
fair. There are doubtless some young men
who would not prove hardy enough in case
of action or continued exposure such as
lively campaign would bring upon them,
but some of the weakest in constitution are
ardent and ambitious. Two regiments with
which 1 am well acquainted, in the city of
New York, are filled with vigorous and
hearty youth, most of whom represent good
American families of good social position,
and they are as competent physically, men
tally and morally as any of the volunteers,
which, at the time of the War of the Rebel
lion, belonged to the same organization.
FANCY UNIFORMS IN '61.
remember distinctly a beautiful New
YorT regiment (havIng at that time a fancy
uniform) that encamped not far from my
own. The first few days of June, 1861, the
Colonel sat with me on the first court-martial
that he and 1 attended at Washington. He
was afterward ordered with his regiment to
General Patterson, in West Virginia, while
mine went with other regiments to the first
battle of Bull Run. Out of that regiment
came majors, generals, brigadiers, colonels
and officers of every grade, as they came
from the regular army to officer new regi-
ments and to have large leavening inhu-
ence in making up vigorous army to meet
and Withstand the solid forces embraced in
the Confederate army of Northern Virginia.
True, l have taken but two regiments as
samples, but from observations of others
there is no reason TO believe the young men
to be incompetent. Surely they are not so
physically, in any regiment from New York,
Pittsburg, Philadelphia, Boston or other
city whose ranks were carefully observed as
they passed in review last Centennial Day,
on Broadway, New York, and if any are
incompetent physically, surely they are
drinking men, and why should we suspect
them to be morally interior to their gallant
fathers, who never hesitated to carry the
rife and the cartridge box at the time of the
nations greatest peril?
THE MILITIA AND RIOTS.
There is one allegation that has some
show of truth in tit is that city regiments
are unfit to cope with city riots. This is
often true, but not because young men COM
posing these regiments are incompetent,
either physically, morally or intellectually.
This arises from personal relationship with
those who make the trouble Sometimes in
these riots, the men in the ranks are con-
stantly called upon to fire upon fathers,
brothers, and members of their own house.
holds. Of course, such a state of things can
always be remedied more or less in an
emergency by calling for distant regiments,
or better still by asking the President for
regular troops, which, in our country, re-
cruited as they are, have never faltered in
their duty upon any field of action.
Indeed, it would be better, as our cities
are growing in population, for the purpose
of keeping in check the criminal class and
the terrible Anarchists, who would break
all law and destroy all human social
organizations, to increase the regular forces
OF the United States and have reasonable
body of men in or near every large con-
centrated population. The very presence of
two or three companies or batteries in
perfect condition is a menace to corrupt
combinations and a strong preventive of
difficulties, which all good men deplore.
NOT ALL ENJOYMENT.
In regard to the second point, to wit: the
assertion that young men chiefly join regl-
laents for social enjoyments, the fascination
for camp life and for city parades, we
answer there is no harm whatever in such
motive, even if that motive be the chief one
From inquiry and personal knowledge,
however, the ENJOYMENT is not the bottom
motive. There is patriotic feeling in the
heart of most young men; they read the his
tory of their fathers with pride and they
wish as far as they can to fit themselves to
take their places. Many wish to be pro-
NOTED to non-commissioned officers or officers
of different grades. They see in this present
advancement of present esteem and fitness
for useful work in case of difficulty within
or without our ports.
Many believe the exercise of drill and dis
cipline healthful and invigorating, not too
violent like that of football, nor too ex-
citing, like that of baseball, nor too absorb
ing of time, like that of boating. 1t appears
to them the least expensive, and at the same
time most useful OF any social combinations
found within their reach. Again, as to the
fascination attached to camp life. To learn
guard duty, to be willing to be drilled hours
every day and to accomplish all that an
army camp demands, will produce weari-
ness, sometimes depression, but in the end
develops strength and fortitude and fits
those subjected to it for the actual camp lite
of hard campaign.
HARDSHIPs OF PARADES.
With reference to city parades, believe
they are never coveted by soldiers. The
arms and the shoulders often ache and the
limbs become weary; it is no idling opera
tion, and there appears even to the young
men hardly quid pro quo for the long ex-
posure and the extreme fatigue. The fas-
cination is for the lookers-on, the crowds
who cheer them and the ladies who compli-
ment them, but it is veritable work, this call
to make an extended city parade. These
parades are endured, because it is part of
the obligation into which the city regiments
enter; 1t is duty-often a thankless but pa
triotic duty.
Surely it is a beautiful object lesson to
younger men who behold them, to see these
fine regiments swinging the glorious old
flag and tramping on to the sound of
national airs; and many veteran sheds
tears as he beholds the new bows doing the
work and making the show that be did and
made but a few years before. Let not for
eigners or pessImists discourage us in our
work of developing a good, strong, pa
triotic, devoted National Guard. The
cities, having more facilities to come to-
gether without detriment to business, will
always lead in the race of national defense.
THE GREATEST FIGHTER.
1 am asked further question by nv
riend, VINO proposed that should write in
nswer to the foregoing objections. 1t is
.lis: In case of war, who would be the
leader should General Sherman be no longer
eligible? General Sherman is past II (71),
and already upon the retired list the
army. There was upon him during the war
strain both mental and physical that was