The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-01-07
TIE MILITARY CLUB.
An Interesting Address Made by "e"e'''
DnbncY u. Maury.

An roterrsting Address Made by "e"''"
Dabncy ~. Maury.
At the last meeting Of the Military 'iuD
of Virginia about fifty gentlemen VIZ
nrcsenf. including several members OF '"o
J General Assembly. \ delightful SUPPER
was served, and In addition ~ I'M 'yn'i' ~
speeches by Major Thomas Il. haisn'li' ny
president Of the club, Adlutani-1ene.il'i -
Mcdonald. Colonel 1aIevcll fiett anu
others. General Dabnoy II. Maury made an
interesting address. lie spoke a. follows
"Gentlemon and COmrades-i thank you
for thi. opportunity Of comforting Win YOU
about the military Interests ~ our country
Great progress has lately been made ~ the
Developments Of our great military power
About ten years ago meeting was
called here In Richmond 90 discuss measures
for the improvement Of our citl/en soidielf'
We invited the other states % cooperate.
/ The National Guard. Of view luik' ICON ].
nm. and the hearty cooperation az many 81
/ fhe states has resulted in "a marked increase
| i'm the efficiency Of the volunteers 81
| America. Al Yorktown. no the celebration
of the centennial Of the surrender OF the
British army. over twelve thousand troops
were assembled. and we saw how Ear many
of the volunteer batialons surpassed the
regulars i'm every point OF dfii ana oisei-
pline. ..,,,
I'm the beginning ~ inl1 century NNi ''''''
population was something over 0WV-0".
| Am allowance Of S2OOiNV was thch con-
.idorod sufficient for the annual cNpcndi-
ure for equippng the militia. we now
number over O0.oUO.OOO. and need an in-
crease of expenditure proportiomie 90 our
uopulafi0n. While we ail applaud 1n APP
nropriatiOn of SlO0Wu.0O for navy. ana
of SiO. 900 for our little regular army, Me
must demand the expenditure OF as many
millions uuOn our army 90 volunteers u@
will oguip. arm. and educate 30 tO the high
est atininahle point of efficiency. some
wear, ago ! received from the Adlui1ui-
General of Canada the hlue-nook OF me
militia of that Dominion. All OF ihc bfiu-i
regulars have long ago been sent nome, ana
Canada depends alone upon her volunteer
militia OF 1900 men. in several instances
of riot these troop, have proven amply SUE
hcioni. and in the great kiel rebellion incn
conduct was admirable.
This force costs Canada annually hui
5000. 900. and point. strong contrast WIN
! fha regular military establishment oi thD
T-nited States of $1,000 men. costing anuu-
allv Sl0OOO.O0O And iu such condition oi
discipline that the annual c1uri-maitiai-
number almost as many as the total force ol
men. and ihe de-erIions are 'o numerous us
t0 cause the grayest anxiety.
"Since this army has ceased a,lft
operations against the Indians n ha7 been
absolutely idle and consequently ue h,,i ~
! lied us we have never before seen it Many
remedies have been suggested. and Do is ali-
fculf 90 lind one which i- effective, and mot
easy tO apply tine only curc-Which l7 Moih.
uIu This condition of affairs Ne revert On
nrouo-ifiOu which has often been made Obj
iata year. tO Use the army as corps ODD DID,
.frleti0n for the volunteers. Camps 90 Doe
structi0n should Dee established ODD every
State 900 such times aud places us ihe ''N-
crn0r- may appoint. and the state troops
and the regulars Doe annually assembled io-
ecthpr for drill and discipline. This must
result loo mutual benefit Oh both regulars
and volunteers.
"The regular win De elevated and stmu-
lated by 81 b association. while the volume
tcer viii rapidly acquire the cNlerlne--
and .teadInOs- Oi the veteran. These nnn-
edfs will not alone ha confined io ihe rHnh
aud tile. For even the firm West Pointer
will learn something of good manners lfum
the courteous Nir-inian gentlemen VINO
command our volunteers.
1--WE cam put into tho field over 100000
of ahle-DOdied men OBJ crush all that come
bIncd chri-teud0m may hrIHg against us.
I'VE can assemble boo week an army
equal 90 that of amy European Government
0f men trained in war and boo the training
schools. which. under the name Of N0hn'
tecr companies. have been for twenty years
working in every State and town BOO Amer
iea. But little is needed fl make that army
efficient and now i- ihe time to secure thHi.
We must demand from ODE government an-
Die funds tO equip Our volunteers Win Oh.
best arms aud abundant ammunition. Ana
we viii soon have an army Of sharp shoot
crs. and win NOT fear amy nation upon
earth. lOu need not fear, young gentlemen
there win Doe n0 more WAT. i0r lou We are
"a c0mhatiiyo people. Every generation oi
us will have DO, war. lt hls ever. been -O
with u.s. and SOFT viii ever Doe.
"And DO dcN0lYe- upon us OF ir-inia On
see 90 10 That Doe our FIXTURE wars. lf-iniln-
shall ever bear themselves a9 they have ever
done tim now
The Military Club has since its 0rganla-
iiOn done much tO increase che interest n
the militia OF the Commonwealth. THE de-
Tense of free country /. in Dos volunteer -ol
dierY. and Virginia should have Deer militia
upon as firm "a footing as possible. ine fii-|
zen sOldiory of the state now consists nl
four regiments of infantry. one troop Oi cave
airy and "a battalion of artillery well Ollie
cored and all animated by most commend
able esprit de- corps.
The idea OF the club Us tO have rDudcI-
VOWS for the commissioned. line and stan
officers. where the may exchange opinions,
discuss set papers of local Or general mili-
iary interest THE result, s0 Tar have been
most gratifying, and DO is expected that
greater ones viii follow.