The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-01-24
u is onmmendahle.

as remarkable as Il Is commendable, .,
The state should display more interest
I'm its work by providing means Wntn,
the entire volunteer force can DC Droufnt
out annually into camps, thus teacnlns
by actual experience the customs "n'
duties of camp lie. The camp - -,
TALLY the soldiers home IN ihe h9nI -,
need Nearly every State In the union
has recognized this important feature
in tho proper training Of her state forces,
why should old Virginia lag bcnlna ,o.
IL may be interesting 10 note 'hat MIlotI
Winthrop Alexander 'h'Id
OF the National Guard. Of the Districi OF
Columbia In = recent article on en-
Years OF Riot Duty, states that ln VI,
Union. 50 far as can be ascef'a in lcr
~ 81 state troops were actually ID s'i-
vice anF held I'm readiness Tor service,
"a force nearly four times the strenstn
or the regular army. III - hisI ~
state of perfection ia her soldlefy.
would summarize the duties or inc
State Through her law-makcrD 70 her
citizen soldicry under the following h'aus.
Make an appropriation sufficiently
large TO take the entire force INTO camp
each wear for at least one week
. RoarranEc the scale OF pay for Of
nccrs and men while on duty in the an
nual cnCampmcnt.
. Require all organizations all oniccrs
Of line and STAFF except Governor staiil.
and every man 20 attend the cncampment.
unless excused by the Commandci-in-
Chief
4 An abscnteos from tho oncampment
Oncluding organizations). unless excused.
90 be mustered ont of service, and arms
and equipments turned I'm.
o. schedule of duties Camp. guard.
outpost and field manocuvers. Officers
schools. otcD. to be arranged by n board
of officers appointed by the Commander
in-Chicf and published In orders some
weeks prior TO the encampment. o.o,
g Each organization 70 be Inspected
and graded by marks, on military APP
pearancc. condition Of uniform and equip
mcnts cleanliness Of camp ana grounus
adjacent. proficiency in respective arm
of service
:. The encampment TO be held during
the summer months and all reports 10
be published in the annual report OF the
Adiutant- General
More attention should be given 10 the
personnel of the volunteers. The rank
and file should be made up OF rcprcseh-
tatives Of the intelligent and law-abiding
citizens OF our state. His physical quail
ncations should be OF prime consideration
WHY enlist "a man who is so deaf that he
cannot hear commands; one who cannot
promptly and readily grasp an order
why enlist "A man whose cycsight Is such
that precudes the proper Performance
of duty. either as officer or private lie
may be a royal good fellow but he
can't be a profitable soldier. The oId
maxim of obedience Is the FIRST duty.
etc. need scarcely be cited here, hut the
soldier should ever bear In mind that
when he took the oath OF enlistment he
became one OF the States recognized
force 10 enforce the laws Of the state.
10 question the right or wisdom OF an
order from q superior. by either oficer
or enlisted man. is 10 bespeak the lack
of true soldicrly discipline and the proper
conceptions Of a soldiers duty. If to
quietly submit 10 or obey an order. the
wisdom or Justice OF which you question.
is so obnoxious and calling. better far
that YOU resign from the state service.
You will have peace Of mind and the
service will be benefited. Should you
feel agrievcd. the regulations prescribe
"a mode Of redress.
Having learned the lesson OF obedience,
the next essential that characterizes the
company OF soldiers from the armed mob
is discipline. Not the rigid discipline OF
The regular army for in that case the
soldier is subject at all times to military