Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-12-29

would be the duty Of such inspectors to
visit the different armories at any time
without giving previous notice, and make
monthly reports Of the defects. etc, dis
covered In this way the commanding gen.
eral would at all times have reliable infor-
nation regarding the efficiency of his COM
mand.
importance of Drills.
Something should be done to secure a
more faithful and regular attendance at
drills. A man is not compelled to enlist in
your National Guard. but. after having
done so voluntarily. it is his duty. under
the oath he has taken. to perform the du-
ties required Of him to the best of his abil-
ity. 1 am afraid that many men upon en-
listing do not realize the sacredness OF the
oath which they take. and do not fuily APP
preciate the responsibilities which they
Voluntarily assume. The moment man,
by his non-attendance at drills and neglect
Of duty shows his disregard of the oath ne
has taken he should be dishonorably dis-
charged. There seems to be n disposition
among the officers Of the guard to be too
lenient, which is a great mistake.
"Another point which l have noticed with
regret in your National Guard Is the lack
of discipline and the almost entire absence
of that courtesy which Is so essential
amcng military men. AS soon as guards
man dons his Uniform his identity as
civilian should be lost. and he should cease
to think of himself except as soldier.
eff he does this he will not forget the
respect due his superior officers. and will
conduct himself in a model and exemplary
manner A few Of your men l ran across
one evening last winter seemed to think
that the wearing Of the uniform entitled
them to forget for the time being that they
were gentlemen and citizens, and con-
Quoted themselves in manner which
think they would not dare to do in civilian
dress Fortunately such behavior Is rare.
ard trust will not be seen again In Wash
ington There Is also tendency IN your
guard to sacrifice military duty to social
features While l do not wish to place
myself on record as advocating the dis
&C r tnuance Of all social features l think
that they should be at all times subservicnt
to military duties. The National Guard
she uld be conducted on purely military
principles. and the captain of company.
the major Of a battalion or the colonel of a
regiment should in every way be the head
of the company, battalion or regiment.
Praise far the Marksmen.
There should he no civic organization
in which. perhaps, a private Or non-com-
missioned officer Is president. and where.
perhaps, the captain has no more voice
than any other member of the company.
1t is rot conducive to discipline. and, If a
captain cannot be Implicitly trusted to
properly conduct the affairs of his COM
pany, he has no right to hold the position
The excellent record that the District Ma
tional Guard has earned for itself in tar
get practice Is conmendable. and many
officers Of the army have expressed their
surprise and pleasure that your brigade,
so few in numbers, can place a team on
the target -~10hSe second to none In the
country. l regret that, owing to the inn
possibility to secure range on which to
practice. your team last summer not
as successful as formerly at Sea Grit, but
1 am glad to learn that next spring you
will have the necessary facilities. The
ability to shoot accurately should be. after
all, the principal aim and object of every
soldier. Perfection In executing the man.
ual Of arms and precision in military move
mepts are all very well, but If a man Is
not educated In the proper handling of
his piece on the target range and Is unable
to send his bullets where they will do the