New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-15
PATRIOTISM AND THE MILITIA.
THE MARTIAL SPIRIT TO do AND DE
APPLIED TO STATE VOLUNTEERS

THE MARTIAL SPIRIT TO ~ A'D D~
APPLIED TO STATE VOLUNTEERS
To the Editor Of The Tribune:
S,-. In = communication 10 The Tribune OF May
& a correspondent. who signs hefsei a woman
renes 10 a letter Of mine in which assert th@'
the first duty OF the National Guardsmah Is "
h,s organization and Government. Although rec
ogn,ze The Justice and sincerity OF her positoh'
there are several points in which thinK the CUT
respondent Is misinformed Among o'hei s'a."
ments the following appears; he tine uua'NS-
man, IS no more pledged than any other citizen 70
serve for a time three times as long, Tor pay ha'u'y
ona,brd 40 great and insufficient for the bare sup
mort OF one person, outside of the country ana
merely In support Of a National pohcy WIN WHICH
he may be only partly in accord 49,
FIRST. In answer TO the first argument inc
Guardsman enters the service for period o, three
,,oors volunteers are required TO enlist for only
two years -.
Second: The question OF pecuniary gam Is Oh
such minor Importance. and so !nsynihcaht IN '"'
present instance. that comment haToIy seems ne
cessary True patriotism rises higher tHah
matter OF dollars and cents. and lie and duty
cannot be reckoned among material Things Ahs
citizen and especially the militianan. should en-
us, because he considers II his duty either 10 MS
country, State or organization. ana not io' '''e
expectation of financial reward AS Ma''e' %
fact however the Government supplies the s0
der with all the necessities. and the sum OF slo Z"
Al n.
Regular Army. in many instances Is augmented ~
IN. case OF the militia. by an extra allowance
granted by the State. In this State Vermonp tho
amount OF 81 a month is paid TO each private IN
addition 10 the sum received from the NauoHA'
Government. Taking into consideration the iao'
that the Army supports the soldier ana furnishes
ell his needs to call this amount insufficient ior
the bare support OF one person" seems rather
unwarranted assertion.
H. on the other hand the correspondent ih'ehas
this expression TO convey the meaning that lns
amount would be insufficient for the maintenane;e
OF a person in the service the question Is
again brought up as 10 whether me Suarosnia.,
should enlist at all II others are DEPENDENT up'H
Further. II the militia were called into service
merely reserve police force, as the co't xs,
pondent evidently regards IT, the danger 10 n'
and limb would be miiigated TO certain sHsn,;
which would permanently disable the Guardsmaa'
the aer OF wsa Tous serious ZEE and as Scav
q drain upon the public FUNDS as though me s1 S
National Government. Surely the question OF Ma.
,ional economy does not apply any more 10 '"'
Third: In reply TO the statement that the Ma
tiona Guard cannot be called without me i''issS
may be OF interest: The Governor. for the time
being shall be @ OF pa the m bys
full power. by himself or by any chief COMMANDER
or other officer or officers. to assemble PIE
ha bItants thereof (he Stste) and TO lead and con-
duct them and Win them 70 i rn seps p. veil s
Sv sea as by land. within and without the limits
OF the State" etc Provided that the Govern nor
inhabitants OF the State. or oblise them to march
out OF the limits OF the same, without their freo
But the regiments who refused 70 respond were
grant permission to the authorities to conduct them
on, OF the State. but whether hey SHOULD serve II
and refused to respect them. It would have placed
Itself in precisely the same position as The 18th and
possibly court-martal. The fat-footed refusal Of
several regiments 10 serve unless certain impos-
Necessary nU' demands granted, has displayed cheap
and false patriotism. which locks upon personal
a asrs mas ha hey a. NOT maintain their
individuality as regiments which may be ex,,
losing their reputation Their selnshness and per:
sonal ambition have elected widespread feeling OK
ah FO"qts The The mere FAC. tina, the question
brought up as TO whether the Guardsman APP
Claimed their unsodIerly motives. l do not be-
leve that the Guardsman himself would consider
views e Conceded with those Of the Government
policy has been adopted which II Is the duty OK
every citizen 10 assis, In carrying out
Theirs not to reason why
Theirs but to do and die.
Is the true martial spirit, and unless the man VINO
is In the employ Of the Government In any capacity
intends to obey orders without analysis and WITH
motives he is At person to Ill any public posi-
The Correspondent also bestows praise upon The
militia for their action during the time OF the
riots few years ago Accordns to her own s'a me
militia u this Is should pra.Ss sr DC one sv SSsS
ton to the State? Does this action proclaim them
heroes? In my opinion at least. herolsm does nvs
thing which one would be criticised doing
Herosm does not consist OF not dlsoneyihs I,as's
s sssy Or A %srs q
IS" Bellows Falls, W., May 10, lss&