Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-07-11
THE NATIONAL GUARD.
What IN Army OfFicer Saws Of the w. L. I.'s
Proposed Withdrawal.

fantry Corps have under consideration q petit
ton in the form Of o resolution providing for
the withdrawal Of the company from the Dis
trict Of Columbia National Guard. The petit
ton is signed by ninety-nine members of the
company, which is a majority of the member
ship. AT the July meeting OF the company this
petition was presented and there was a full
discussion of the matter, but no conclusion was
reached. The resolution therefore went over
until the next monthly meeting, when it is pos
sible a conclusion will be arrivedat At present
it is thought that large majority favor with
drawing from the National Guard although
some of the sgners Of the petition. it is thought
may change their minds before the final vote
is reached. 1t is thought, however. that a ma
jority Of the members of the battalion are in
favor Of Withdrawing and many certain that
such will be the result Of the vote next month.
When the National Guard was first formed
the National Rifles and the Old Guard were the
only companies that refused to put themselves
under the strict military rules and subject
themselves to orders of the United
State In the Light Infantry Corps at that
time there was some opposition to entering the
National Guard, but when the vote was taken
the decision was practically unanimous. A few
designations followed. but the battalion suffered
nothing from the loss of so few members and
until recently nothing was said about the
matter.
SURPRISE TO SOME.
There was some secret electioneering done
by some members and the petition came as a
surprise to many. At that meeting Col. Moore
and staff were present and took part in the dis
eussion. The debate was of friendly nature
and no ill-feehng was shown. The main ques-
ton under discussion was what should be done
to further the best interests of the battalion
without special reference to its effect upon the
National Guard.
In event of the passage of the resolution some
trouble may be experienced in having the men
mustered out of service. They were ali regu-
larly enlisted and as enlisted men they sub
Ject TO the rules and regulations of the National
Guard until the expiration Of their term of en-
hstment unless the War Department will con-
sent to their discharge.
Col. Moore was seen by STAR reporter, but
he said he could not tell what would be the re-
suit OF the discussion at the next meeting. He
did not care to discuss the matter at ALL
WHAT AN ARMY OFFICER SAYS.
Derision and ridicule is the sentiment that
pervades the War Department at the reported
intention Of the Washington Light Infantry to
retire from the National Guard. Army officers
take considerable interest In the District mi
lItla, and are rather proud of the boys. but
they boot the idea of an independent military
organization"
An army officer of high rank and a soldier OF
renown. moreover. said today:
The idea of the Washington Light Infantry
forming an independent military organiza-
ton is ridiculous. There is no such thing as
an independent military organization. for as
soon as it becomes independent it ceases to
be military body of men like the National
Rifles. that separated from the National
Guard, have no connection whatever with the
militia Of the country, and if the Washington
Light Infantry go out they will cease TO be
militiamen. They will simply take the status
of any other set Of young men who should get
together, buy q lot of guns. some bright uni
forms, take a distinctive name and organize for
the purpose of parading the streets a holiday
and giving hops and fairs during the winter.
OF NO SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY.
"They could never be of the slis htest use to
the community or to the country. for they could
not go into fight for the protection of their
city or their homes. They may say. We will
be the first to volunteer in case of trouble.
Well, what then? They would be obliged
to join the National Guard and take the
oath before they could be used. Moreover,
they would be in the position of raw recruits
and would be treated such. for no matter
how well they might be drilled a company
they would be utterly ignorant of regimental
and brigade drill, of rife practice and guard
duty. and would have to take inferior positions
until they were taught.
HOW MILITARY MEN REGARD INDEPENDENT CON-
PANIEs.
SIT may seem a little harsh to say what
shall say about these fellows, but the sooner
they become acquainted with the cold, brutal
fact the bOk,er it will be for them. An alleged
military organization outside OF the National
Guard would be considered nothing but "a set
of pOpinjays by military men when il came to
hard and actual duty. They should not
be tolerated By the community but
should be laughed down. Suppose.
for instance, that there were a dozen
different organizations in this city. some uni
formed in bearskin shakos. others wearing
white plumes. some with helmets or cooked
hats and each one with its own peculiar and
fantastic costume. They would march down
the avenue some day. on the eve of occasion
when it was feared that bullets end bravery
would be necessary. What would people think
Of such a disorganiZed .Jdy. each company with
its own peculiar tactics and maneuvers? Why
the law-abiding would laugh at them and the
lawless would boot them. They would COM
mand neither the respect of one nor the fear of
the other. They would be utterly worthless for
militia duty.
PRACTICES IN SOME STATES.
Z SIN the state of Pennsylvania, in Massachu-
sets and other places an independent military
organization Is not recognized and cannot
parade the streets without permit. In Penn
sylvania the National Rifles or the Washington
Light Infantry. II they leave the National
Guard, would not be considered militiamen
any more than company of Salvation Army
people who should buy guns and call themselves
warriors. Why, when the Rites wanted to visit
Massachusetts, some time ago. the state of Penn
sylvania would not let them 60 through the
state armed and equipped as an organization.
but they had to box their arms and ship Them
travelling themselves individuals and not as
an organization.
IF THEY WANT TO GET OUT LET THEM 60,
snow, that's the kind Of organization the
Light Infantry wants to become. am not OBJ
jecting to their doing it, for man or a COM
pany in the National Guard that hasn't the
proper spirit that should pervade it ought to
get out. and get out right away. They could
not do it too soon for the good Of the service
II they do, however, they ought not to have the
confidence and respect of the community. for
they could never be worth a tinkers rap to
the community in case of real trouble 1
understand that many of the merchants Of
Washington contribute annually to the support
of one of these independent military organiza-
tions. They are simply maintaining a social
organization for parades. parties and picnics.
for when trouble comes their independent mill
tary organization can't raise finger to help
them, and it will be the National Guard,
thoroughly drilled, equipped, differed and pre-
pared, that will sweep rioters from the streets