The morning times., 1896-07-22

Gen. OIuway mustered the National
Fencibes back into tie District National
Guard last evening at the Fencible's Armory
on L street. As exclusively stated in yes
terday's Morning Times this had been de-
cided upon after u conference between Capt.
c. S. Domer. Lieut. Lee B. Mosher, Lieut.
w. W. Mortimer, of the Fcnciblcs. and Gen.
Ordway representing the Guard, held about
two weeks ago. 1t was just one year yes
terday that the Fencibles severed their
connection with the District militia and ef-
fected an independen mt organization
The Fenciblcs assembled at their Armory
last evening and were on DIRE IS parade wien
Gen. Ordway entered the driilroom with
Capt. Domer. In explaining tie matter to
the men Capt. Domer said:
CAPT. DOMER'S ADDRESS.
mine years ago this month Gen. Ordway
mustered this organization into the Dis
tnct National Guard and tonight he will
remuster it into tie service. have given
him my personal assurance, relying on your
integrity to perform your promises, that we
will live up to everything required or US as
National Guarismen; that We will make
everything, of a personal or social nature,
second to our duty as Guardsmen.'
ueu. OruNIy Was UGen inLiouuced TO the
company. He said, in part: lone year
ago | had an unpleasant duty to perform
in mastering you out OF the District Ma
tionai Guard, and l assure You that IL Is
with great pleasure that l remuster you
tonight into the service. 1t seems strange
that Company of national, OF even inter
national fame, should have become so
woefully inefficient as you were twelve
mouths ago. IL is commonly supposed that
your being mustered out Of the Guard was
o..
''The failure to go to camp was but the
climax of long series Of acts which
showed that you did not realize your duty
as Qua rdSmen. The Guard is as much
pa rt OF the military strength or our country
as the regular army. Young men in the
various States volunteer to learn tactics
and perform the duties OF soldier. The
government eNpends large SUN OF IN oney
in enabling them to do this. The young
men and the government enter into a
contract. which is more binding because no
pay is received.
..In order to hold these volunteer boiies
together several methods are employed.
Competitive drills, social receptions, and
banquets are used. These are the meaCs
devised for enabling the Guard to attain
its end. You mistoOk the means for the
end. All of these drills and receptions
should be subordinate to Guard duties. 1
did not object to drills and full-dresS uni
forms, but / refused to allow the means
to be substituted for the end. Your duty
as National Guardsmen first and all else
second. 1 take great pleasure in welcom-
ing you into the Guard
TOOK THE OATH.
The oath was then taken by the F Fencibles,
each member raising his right hand and
affirming that he would adhereio 1t. The
Fencibles swcre that they would obey all
laws and regulations for the government
of the Militia OF the District OF Columbia
and to obey all officers who might be ap-
pointed over them.
Gen. Ordway, capt. Domer, and Lieuts.
Mosher and Mortimer then proceeded to
Capt Domer's rooms and partoox of re-
freshments while the boys made merry in
their own comfortable quarters
Quite u number of the FenCibles were
not present last evening. The majority OF
the absentees were out or the city. but
it was said that two or three were present
and failed to respond to their names
These men have refused to re-enter the
Guard.
The organization will keep its comfort-
able quarters on f street and will not move
to the District Guard arniory.