The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-05-03
,,ou, Who should Enlist for the war.

Abont Who should Enlist for the war.
Editor Of The Times: ,..
SIP Eyerv one. whatever may have
been his views as 20 the necessity OF Ihe
proprietv on our part OF entering l"Io
The existing war, must agree with you
now. the war exists. that the feaetal
government I'm its prosecution shouia ue
promptly supported by the amplest sup
plies OF men ana money
But there IS great difference or opinion
as To the duty Of volunteering 10 become
soldiers Of the United States army, which
all must now do who go into service. IN
my Judgment as iu that Of great many
of our best citizens. there is at the pres
ent time no special obigdtiOn-legal or
moral-resting upon any one man more
than another 10 take such a step ana thal
each case must depend upon IFS circum-
stances. We are in no danger of INVASION
aud i'm a population of l00J00JJ there is
no danger of any want Of able-bodied men
willing TO enter the ranks without COM
pulsi0u. social or otherwise. and who IN
SO doing would lind profitable employment
or congcuial adventure. or both. Let
those go. whether belonging 20 local mil
tary companies. on not. who really wish
10 90. and are so situated that no duty
would bee thereby violated. Such indeed
should be encouraged 20 80. nor should
any slight matter prevent them from do
ing SO honorable a. thing. But 1 do not
See that because a. young man has I'm
times Of profound peace Joined local
military company. composed OF his com
paniOns and friends and formed primarily
for local or az most for State service. and
for mutual pleasure and exercise or from
business benefits incident to the. assocl3-
ton. he ls thereby specially called upon
on the occurrence OF a foreign war, 10
volunteer TO Join the army of the United
States. under u different organization.
under different officers and with associ-
atcs of "a different character and even 10
may be. of different natiOnalitles. and
rot only for the defence of the whole
country. and probably I'm rs most insalu-
brious parts. but for the purpose Of for
eien invasion in a tropical climate and
amid pcstiential feyers. That was no
part of his contract of service. and hence
il is no part OF his obligation. and If any
additional proof Of this were needed. il
might DE found in the additional oath
that would be required of him on enlist
ing i'm the Federal army The honorable
ambition or the false pride OF his officers,
the contagion OF youthful enthusiasm
the fear of thoughtless and unfounded
repr0ach, one or all may conduce to-
wards his taking the step. fatal as may
be the consequences TO his family and
himself But the really manly man, the
man OF cool common sense. OF sterling
principles OF strong character. VIII not
be swaycd by any OF those influences. or
all combined. lie will see that there IS
"A graduation Of duties and will have the
.1..n. % Of
strength OF moral courage. TO obey the
inspirations Of the highest and fulfil frs.
the obligations of SON. brother husband
or father. and every intelligent mind and
honest heart will applaud tine true chiv-
airy of his conduct. ] have been prompt
ed 10 write this article by an able COM
munication published i'm the Baltimore
Sun. under the title OF Swearing i'm the
Fifth Regiment" which / have reason TO
know IS from the pen Of one of tho most
distinguished and hOnored citizens OF the
gallant State Of Maryland. / enclose you
q copy, with the hope that IL may he
printed with this. as 7 am sure it vii.
be appreciated by your numerous read
ers. ClNIS.
Richmond. May ,, 1898.
Swearing in the Fifth Regiment.
The question now submitted 10 the Off
GERS and privatcs OF the Fifth Regiment
is too serious 90 be acted on without the
grayest consideration. IL involves moth
ing more or less than an enlistment as
individuals I'm the army Of the United
states for the period Of two years. The
government has called upon this State
TO furnish a regiment of infantry from
the militia of the St~e and &c has been
straightWav assumed by those who have
charge OF the matter that the organized
regiments constitute the militia. This IS
error 40. T. The militia Of state Is
composed of its population capable or
bearing arms between the ages OF eigh-
teen and fOrty-fye. and the individual
members of companies and regiments arc
no more called on 10 respond than IS any
other citizen OF the state. There is abb
sOlutely no legal or moral obligation rest
ing upon them which does not equally
rest upon every other man within the
age limit. Again. I'm order 70 secure an
enlistment en- masse, by one or both OF
our regiments their pride has been stu
dlously appealed 10 by those having TINS
business I'm charge, and as a last resort
tho Fifth Regiment has been assured
that it viii be kept together as 60 It's
personnel. and continue 10 be 10 all IN
tents and purposes the old regiment OF
our National Guard. Obviously this Is not
true and cannot be true Obviously there
IS no living man who has authority to
bind the governmcnt 10 any such ar
rangement The Assistant Judge Advo-
cate OF the Army has construed the law
under which these cnlistments are 70 be
made in precisely the opposite way, and
he has said that these volunteers pass
into the service Of the United States not
as regiments at all, but as individuals
the regiments cease 20 exist as state
organizations. and that each and all pass
under the control OF the government
without a vestige OF its State existence
remaining. What namo they may choose
90 give ii when once IN their power has
not yet been settled, but certain II - that
-. I,ifth unr-irr,nnt dina when IL Coes