The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1898-03-20

% done In the evening ara the men
form In squads 30 that within thn
connnes or single night q man win
become acquainted with two or three
different branches Of his duties a. a
marine. The old warshIp. New Hamp-
snire. which has long been a fixture IN
the East River fs the headquarters OF
the New York Battalion On any Sat-
urday evening during summer four ine
cutters may be seen scootlng up tho
sound or out the bay toward Fire Is
iand ana manned By volunteer blue
!1ekets who VIII some day re service
N ano replenish the regular navy. Each
Ot Inese boats 10 under the control OF
conduct and discipline OF his crew ana
whose duty IL is not only TO teach the
methods OF operating boats and ~ths
use OF the compass and chart but 70
make the outing as enjoyable and as
popular as is compatible with che ac-
eustomed freedom OF American citizens
ana the dignity OF the service. An ex-
ceiient class OF young men is thus at
tracted 10 the naval volunteers who re-
gard their term OF service IN the light
OF a vacation and an Invigorating ply
sicai exercise especially when ordered
INTO the summer camp at Sands Point.
Long Island. where guard duty Is per
formed and where such Important
work as sketchinE and signalling "a
oone' also the study OF charts and such
natural phenomena as viii enable
them to cooperate with land forces
ana equip the members for an eficI-
ent naval career.
In New York most OF the volunteers
are from young men who spend their
Gays In the down town oaices: but the
personnel OF the naval volunteers var
les very much. In Rhode Island for
example. the militia Is principally
composed OF employees from the Her
ieshon Manufacturing Company and
THIS division could as successfully
climb the mast on n torpedo boat as
the best trained tar in the country:
while Mount Pleasant. South Carolina.
pilots. watermen. and tug masters. and
those whose business is to be upon the
water. predominant in the membership.
In Georgia where the Amphitrite Is
the training ship. the members are re-
ported as "a very intelligent enthus-
iastic and healthy body OF men having
great pride In their naval work and
give promise OF becoming a valuable
auxiliary"
In California the Olympia Is al their
disposal where the men are reported
as exercising at IRE quarters. slowing
the hold. closing water tight doors and
working search lights. Here also
abundant opportunity is afforded for
observing and participating In all the
details OF first class cruiser.
The Delaware division recently man
ned training ship and operated Il at
their own expense. and the oficer in
charge says-"This organization seems
well able 20 man and handle a man-of-
war. and the only use we (the oflcers)
could be TO them was instruction IN
the main and secondary batteries and
signals with search light and electric
signals" Similar news OF a hlKh
state OF efficiency comes from the
United States Steamer Michigan on
the Great Lakes. where the hoard OF
officers appointed 10 inspect the drill,
state:-"It IS our opinion that thirty
days after embarkation on board a
ship OF war with a complement Of i25
officers and men the force would be IN
effective fighting condition and do
ereditable service In action"
Such Is a general view OF an or
ganization Of some significance. which
Is provided through the friendly re.
gard OF the Navy Department with
training vessels. arms. q regular plan
~ discipline. and a uniform system Of
drills II Is under the auspices OF the
officers OF the various states and is d.
rected by the National Association OF
the Naval Militias an incorporated So
ciety OF n quasi-oficial character at
Washington. Some division OF opln-
don has arisen as 20 whether the men
should drill with the view OF resisting
an Invasion or merely for the purpose
OF suppressing mobs and protecting
property along the coasts and along
river fronts. But from its nature and
personnel such a force can never con-
hne its ambitions 10 the performance
OF the perfunctory duties OF a river DO
lice. Il Is n national acquisition with
national aspirations and aims, popular
IN the best sense OF the word and IA
fast kindling that spirit OF patriotism
which like the divine Ere OF the Greeks
may light other lands 10 freedom and
keep burning brightly at home: for
the nation which has not at all times
n surplus OF men ready to spill their
blood in its defence II necessary. a
surely destined sooner or later TO 20
down.