The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1895-01-04
FRIDAY. JANUARY 1, 1895.
a NATIONAL ,a1llr1A.

N. Stevens argues forclbly against the
expression Of the Fargo Independent
that the North Dakota legislature
should refuse to continue It's military
operations. H.
We are not opposed to militia, but
We are opposed to the present system
OF militia organization. We heartily
agree:with Mr.. s. In the belief that
one Of the best methods Of preserving
peace is to be prepared for war.
Every man who remembers the con.
diticn Of things ut the outbreak of
the rebellion, will agree with us, that
a trained soldiery was the greatest
lack Of the north, and the history of
that war Is notable for the fact, that
Ut the few trained soldiers we had,
nearly all achieved distinction. What
we object to is. that the present sys.
TEN, Is not q system, is expensive, is
not productive Of soldiers or soldierly
spirit, Is badly tainted with politics,
Is sometimes encouraged and some
times snubbcd, aud has a thousand
drawbacks, largely incident to the
fact that It is the creation of state
legislatures.
In some few states the militia il on
a liberal footing, and encouraged; In
other states there are but few or no
militiamen, and either from poverty
or want of military spirit there is no
chance for militia organization.
To US 1t seems that the only proper
and successful militia organization
must proceed from the general gov.
eminent, and the whole country orga.
nized into a national guard under the
direct supervision Of U. S. officers Of
the regular army.
AS contingent on such organization,
there should be general instruction In
minor military movements in our pub.
lie schools; every boy us he arrives at
manhood should know these move.
mcnts.- AS physical exercise there
is nothing better.
On the part Of the government
there should be a regular quota of
militia called from each state to be
filed by volunteers. or II necessary, by
draft. West Point and other regular
army Offices be assigned for orRanl-
cation and drill. A process Of promo.
tton OF deserving men from the ranks
Of the militia to the highest Offices In
the regulars. A regular term Of en-
listment from which there is no with
drawal except by honorable discharge,
and an implicit obedience to the arti.
clcs Of war, modified to SUIT the cir
Then o private or officer Of the
national militia would feel that his
blue coat and brass buttons meant
something, that he would be some
thing besides q "tin.soldier" and he
would be spared the modification of
being ordered around by men whose
knowledge Of militia affairs was OBJ.
tained while driving oxen or running
a saw-mill.
In a newspaper article 1t is impossi.
ble to more than outline the idea, but
1t may be summed up, In these pro.
positions The state has little need
Of q militia organization. and no need
that could not be supplied by a ma.
tional militia. The nation should
have national guard of 500, 900 men
All able-bodied men should possess
the rudiments Of military training,
and it as school boys, they can be
most easily taught. A system OF ma.
tional militia would develop military
talent, which would be available at
the beginning Of a war, and not have
to wait, until defeat, loss of money
and life, produce generals as happen
ed In the late war.
but this IL for the future; in the
meantime, We need some sort of sol.
diers. and we hope tho legislature
will do all they possibly can for the
North Dakota militia. The spirit
which induces these boys to volun.
tarily enlist. spend their own time
and money, In learning the. Of war
is worth cultivating. Such q spirit
must make good citizens whether in
war or peace.