New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-01
A SHARP MILITARY LESSON.

1t Is reasonable 10 expect that one Of the In
direct and unforeseen but valuable results Of
the war will be a general improvement IN the
quality Of the National Guard. For 1t has been
becoming more and more evident since the first
call for volunteers was issued that the citizen
soldiers on whom great sums OF money have
been spent who have been regarded with pride
and confidence. and who have been praised far
more than was good for them these many years.
have all the time been frail reliance for any
sudden and grave emergency. When the de-
mand for their enlistment IN the service of the
country arose the gratifying announcement was
made from various headquarters all over the
country that they were ready 1t Is remem-
bered that pleasant feeling of exultation was
PRODUCED throughout the State Of New.York by
the swift and proud assurance that fourteen
thousand men could be modified tn few hours
in a condition to march away to combat and
glory. and similarly inspiring reports were sent
to the Government from many other States.
The manifestation Of loyalty was splendid and
thrilling In other respects the response to the
Nations demand was far from satisfactory, as
events have clearly shown.
In reality the revelation Of military shortcom-
ings In the National Guard has been distress
ing. NQel the SOluleTS udu pretty Iully It,
ported for duty 1t was discovered that large
proportion Of them were without uniforms or
arms, and thousands were actually sent to
Southern camps in that condition. 1t has been
a combination Of opera bouffe and tragedy, Of
which there Is no occasion to rehearse the de-
tails OF course, there have been creditable ex-
captions to the general rule. Some Of the sepa-
rate New-York companies the Pennsylvania
Al rI
other States have approached the standard
which was commonly supposed TO prevail But
we venture to say that not only the mass Of the
people, who are not expected to possess an init
mate knowledge Of military affairs. especially
In time Of peace. but most Of the Guardsmen
themselves have been dsagreeably astonished
by this demonstration of inefflciency.
1t is true that during recent years we have
had In this State not little reason to fear that
the National Guard was not what It ought to
be- either IN respect to discipline or equipment,
but such evidence to that effect as came to the
surface was overborne by the smart appear
ance of the troops that turned out on show oc-
casions, when there were guns and uniforms
enough to 60 around and the physical quality of
the men on parade was not open to observation
Moreover. there have been repeated exhibitions
Of solderly spirit under the exactions Of serious
service. which have tended to obscure the fact
that the Guard. as an organization, was not
prepared for grim work on large scale, nor
capable Of being quickly brought into condi-
ton Of thorough competency. The sharp lesson
Of deficiencies not even yet supplied might have
been well worth learning II the course Of events
had rendered the general muster for the Ma
lions service unnecessary. It certainly ought
NJ - b forgotten, and we believe It will not