Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-02-05

ligent practice, is what will tell for vic.
tory in battle
This company has now three ''distin
sulshed marksmen, seven first 10 second
and eight third-class marksmen, a regard
TO be proud Of but one that can be i'm
proved upon. This should ba your aim
IN the future, Bring your company up to
a high standard of soldierly excellence.
ana then you will have reason to expect
encouragement and aid from the citizens
OF your city. A man will always have
help enough If he Is going down HILL if
moving steadily up the hill of success, he
Will not lack friends
hou stand well, today; make a good
advance this season, and strengthen your
command In all that pertains TO mill
tary education. The officers must hold
the men up to strict observance Of mill
tary duay, and every soldier should give
ready response to the wishes Of his officers.
BE loyal to your company, and whether in
your armory or out of it, conduct YOUR
selves in way which gives proof that
you appreciate the honor Of being mem
Der OF the National Guard
You have little to expect in dollars and
cents in return for your services: and
must hold yourselves in readiness to stand
Dstwecn the State and all which would
threaten its peace or ondanger its pros
rerlty. The love of military life, the com
ladeship Of soldiers in arms, the hope of
recognition as n loyal citizen soldiery. the
knowledge that you are trusted to be
brave in defence of the State, and good
citizens in times of peace, is sn honor
'ilat any young man may proudly aspire
to secure.
| inspector General of the Governor
staff W. S. Choate gave an address. of
which the following is a part:
Captain Doughty, Officers and Men of
Co. f:
| Nearly ii years ago, l enlisted us a pri-
vato in Co. +, remaining with the com
| pany Tor over seven years as private ser
geant and captain. During those seven
years, and since, | have ever been deeply
| interested in the success and advancement
OF the company, and have observed with
pleasure the high standing maintained by
it in the National Guard.
The company has never been very spas
mode in its endcavors to keep pace with
the advancement which has been going
on in the service; but during my acquain-
lance with it i5 has maintained itself
above the average of the military force of
our State.
We sometimes find the companies which
one year will by great effort reach
high mark i'll rifle practice inspec-
tons, attendance at encampment, and
other duties, and, the next year, may
bring down the standing of the whole
regiment by almost complete allure in
all these. Such companies are not what
we desire in our National Guard. and
such, am pleased to say, Co. + is not
In my report of the inspection OF 1895,
you will find that the per cent. of attend
ance of Co. f was the highest in the 1st
Regiment, being 81 per cent. of the entire
company, and further, that there WAS but
one company in the whole Guard which
oxcelled it in that respect.
Such facts are pleasing to yonr friends,
and show that you will do your best to
make the company efficient in the service
and an honor to your city.
To maintain high position will re
quire your constant attention, for the
standard has been raised and throughout
this country there has been a great change
in the views of our people concerning the
National Guard. Our people have come to
rellAe that, in the event of war, the
present standing army. scattered over our
vast territory, is entirely inadequate, and
that the volunteer forces must he de
pended upon for defence until larger
army can be recruited and drilled.
The prospect Of better accommodations
in the new City building should be an
additional stimulus to you to do your best
IN the future. l have examined the new
quarters with your captain, the architect,
Mr.. SpofforG, and Mr.. VickeTy, ana can
assure you that they Will be ample and
second to none in the State. Mr. Nickery
representing the builders, expressed him
self rs anxious to do everything in his
power to provide for the company a place
which would please the members, and
have no doubt it Will be done Your
rooms alone, exclusive of the large hall, |
which you can use for weekly drills. will
contain nearly if not quite as much floor
space as your entire present hall and ante
rooms.
That you will appreciate these things, |
we cannot doubt, and We confidently look
for a greater advancement, the coming
year. See to it THAI your friends are not
disappointed.
There were also present, the chaplain OF
the 1st Regiment, Rev. G.. s. Cummings, |
ana CO.. George A. PhiIbrook Of the I'd,
vino made excellent addresses 10 the com
pany
Tho speeches by all were OF the most in
-pirine nature and aroused much en-
thusiasm.
Tho inznpctior, was n, ava-y y-,v n cpc
cess, and thoroughly enjoyed by the mem
bers of the company and their friends who
were present.
Very Popular I'm Minnesota.
We have a good trade on Chambcrlain's |