The Sunday morning news., 1891-11-29

ing of the grounds, and in addition with
The disbursements of every Kind on ac-
count of the National Guard. All these
duties were promptly, regularly and sat
thence and administrative ability this i'm
plies can only be appreciated by one who
has visited an encampment OF State
troops.
THE TROOPS MAKE GOOD IMPRESSION.
The general impression produ uced by
the troops at the encampment was very
good. There was soldierly spirit ami
mated the entire body, and a feeling that
they were appreciated, and as literally
provided for as the means at the disposal
of the State would warrant. There were
evidences in various directions that there
was danger of the idea of it's usefulness
to the State only being carried too far.
1.-THE National Guard is either TO be re-
garded as a supplementary police force,
organized as soldiers, and instructed as
such, only in so far as the performance of
police duty may require, or 1T is to be re-
garded as body OF citizen soldiers in the
service of the State, whose development
as soldiers is TO be carried to the highest
practicable limit, and whose use as an aid
to the civil authorities should be con-
sidered as incidental and not as the rea-
son for its being.
'That the second is the view generally
held by the members of the National
Guard of New Jersey, there can be no
question, but there is a question as to
whether this view is general in the State,
and it is doubtful if the importance OF
the distinction to the State itself is ap.
preciated. Wherever the opportunity
has been offered this National Guard has
shown:its capabilities. as in the depart
ment of rifle practice, in the Quarter
masters department.. and in various ways
in the companies and> gun detachments.
The honor and security of the State are
safe in the hands of the National Guard
as it Is at present. That such organiza-
tions do not stand still is to well known
to be reported.
The usefulness of even SO finely con-
stituted body as the National Guard of
New Jersey may be destroyed IL the
police idea be carried too far. IT it were
understood that the National Guard of
the State was to be regarded as police
force masq uerading as soldiers, or as
posse comitatus with drum corps, the
gentlemen who now give it its character
would doubtless Immediately quit it. ATo
continue useful it must advance. To be
of any use to the general Government the
police idea must be subordinate to that
of the soldier.
THE NATIONS DEFENSE.
''It is as true now as it ever has been,
that in case OF need the United States
must look to the militia of the several
S0bdLoS W ludluldlu ltS uUuOT. IL SOtS
without saying that the levies of the diff
ferent States must be united into har-
monious whole before they can be used
effectively. The time consumed in this
blending process may be of vital mo-
ment; and reasonable precautions should
be taken to make it as short as possible.
'1he control of the militia is properly
in the hands Of the States. and it should
remain there; at the same time it seems
possible to devise at Washington some
scheme which, respecting the rights and
sentiments of the states, might lead to a
uniformity in the National Guards of the
different States, in uniform, equipment
and armament; in the physical aud men
tai requirements of the officers and men;
in the books and papers kept and in the
returns rendered; and finally the condi-
tions under which, and the length of
time for which the different regiments
should be mustered into the service of
the United States To the extent that it
would receive the benefit. a large share of
the burden of the support of the National
Guard should be borne by the United
States. There are no doubt members OF
the National Guard of all the States. who.
acting in concert with the War Depart
mant, would devise means which would
satisfy all parties, and which, while they
left the control of the different companies
in the States to which they belonged,
would, when they were united, make
them truly National Guard. In clos.
ing this report it is a pleasure to inform
you that 1 was very kindly received on
my arrival at the camp by the gentlemen
on the staff of Governor Albeit. and was
by his direction assigned quarters in the
cottage set aside for his own use Dur
ing my stay at the camp received, as the
representative of the War Department,
uniform courtesy from every mem Der of
the National Guard with whom came in
contact, and was afforded every facility
for obtaining the information you de-
sired"