The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1893-03-07
UNITED STATES ARMY.
Lieut.. Parker Writes Very
Readable Article on the
Boys in Blue.

world. 1t is asserted with confidence
that there is no body of men in the
world in better condition, or have a
better fighting record since the
year 1870. a new set of drill
tactics ha- been recently adopted
which has greatly increased
the efficiency of intelligent soldier,
and new gun has been chosen for
the infantry. adapted to modern con-
ditions of warfare. All that Is lacking
is an organization adapted to the drill,
and an increase Of members proper
tional to the increase of population in
the country. Since 1870 the country
has increased by $4,000, 900 people.
or nearly one-third, but the army has
been steadily decreased in members
instead of growing at an equal rate.
The condition Of orr REGULAR sol
diers has been greatly improved in the
last few years. and the character OF
soldier has been improved in the same
ratio. Formerly street loafers and
questionable characters were taken, IT
able bodied men. This Is now
thing of the past. Good men are
wanted and good Inducements are Of
fered to obtain them. The enlistment
of such men was a war necessity, but
it no longer exists. Their places have
mostly been taken by American born
citizens of good character and full OF
energy. Thee men have infused new
yicor into the ranks of the army, aud
to-day out of almost any company OF
regulars YOU could select college
graduates, lawyers, school teachers,
!, musicians and men Of any other pro-
fession-men able to take hold of any
business and run it intelligently on
sound business principles. These
men are not in the army because they
are failures, or social outcasts at
. home, for such men are not
now wanted. They are in the
army because, small ~ such stirt
: appears, it is the first rung on Ladder
!, omen to all, and'a ladder which leads
10 the utmost height of ambition
a dreams If climbed to the top. In
the army they find neither fear nor
r favor, but chance to rise by energy,
f pluck and perseverance. no merit
:, alone.
d The duties of private soldier are
+ not arducu. nor at the present time nj
2 all dangerous. Any life insurance
+ company will take a soldier rs a tirst
r class in preference to an average
civilian, other things being equal.
+ To follow the honorable profession
Il OF arms IL no disgrace
II u anyone. whether as PR
u vate soldier or as general in chief,
:. People are beginning TO understand
r tha. It is an honor to any man to b'
n WORTHY of wearing the service uniform
and look on the service accordingly
p. In the discharge Of his duties,
soldier whether officer or private, Is re
sponsible to his superior officers. IL
Knows who they are, and TO what es
tent he is responsible; he is not re
!. !, quired to obey any Illegal order, AM
= = the responsibility Of obedience rest
!" Just as much on an officer as on pr
y waite. The condition Of a private so
u der is hundred times over ahead {
20 anv laboring man. just compare tn
o. o. two. p,
q Take first the laboring man. II
~ is perhaps working as farm hant
~ =, or by odd jobs, BY the day. If h
~ the month, his wages run at abo,
ne sl6 to SIS per month, and half Il
Is wear he is out of work. If by u
Oh day he gets maybe 81 per day and
lille hail the time every week. !
w any case he will not average over
GU or 20 dollars a month longer than 81
W ar seven months year. Out OF tn
IT. pittancc he boards himself. buys b
clothing and pays his other bills. al
at the end of the month is just whe
zee. he becan-without a dollar. Besid
this he is generally exposed to
kinds OF weather, works IA to ID hou
a dav. and never has steady 20
There are hundreds of young men
|: this county ut work on just the
az terms. with no show of anything b'
{, ter. Compare this with the life Of
private soldier.
He sleeps from $50 at night
- 6:45 in the morning. He is shelter
- from all hal weather, and clothed d
and fed in the very hest way. His We
hours, even at guard duty. the long
and hardest of all. never exceed
hours per day. When not on duty
is perfectly tree to hunt, fish, re'
isl study. and amuse himself at will,
am asking consent OF any.
It's He has provided for him -
to school. free, a good library, also IT.
good newspapers and magazines, fr
,.ood relipiolls instructions, good M