Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-03-16
WEDNESDAY. 49,. MARCH l6, 1898
WAR AND WARRIORS.

We appreciate the patriotism which
has moved some men to offer their mill
tary services 10 the country in case OF
war with Spain. but we must say they
are too previous"
War is not a certainty. True. the United
States Government is making extensive
and ostentatious preparations for HOSTILE
ties, but this may be merely for the pur-
pose of convincing Spain that she would
better settle whatever difficulties she may
have with us without a resort to arms.
Nor would a conflict be necessarily I'M
avoidabe, even should the court of in
quiry report that the Maine was de-
stroyed by mine. In that event the
United States would first have to demand
reparation-name an indemnity. etc., but
il might be that that demand, If objected
10 by Spain, could be referred to inter-
national arbitration.
IL the facts ascertained establish no
connection on the part Of the Spanish
officials with the destruction of the Maine,
our claim might well become the
subject of arbitration. and, no doubt, one
or more of the great Powers of Europe
would offer their services as mediators
We could not safely reject such an offer
without good reason, for to do so might
be TO give Spain sympathy in quarters
where she has none now. So assuming
that the President knows substantially
what the report of the Board of Inquiry
will be, IL does not follow that we are
10 be plunged into war forthwith.
The report that England is friendly TO
us in this matter. if true, does not mean
that she would like to see a resort 10
arms. The shipping interests of that
country would be subjected to vast losses
should Spain undertake TO blockade the
harbors on our Atlantic coast. Next TO
the United States and Spain, England
would suffer most from such a war. True
we have seen statements to the effect
that the commerce that England would
thus be deprived of would be made up to
her by Increased trade with, and through
Canada, but we venture to say that no
such theory Is held by the magnates Of
the great ocean steamship companies.
We hope that, be the report on the
hdiut tAptuHioh NllhN ~ may NSnOlL oil
proof of direct responsibility on the part
OF the Spanish Government, war may
still be averted. We. therefore. see no
occasion as yet for our citizens Fastening
20 volunteer. In case of actual war. we
feel sure there will be places for all able
bodied young men who wish to enlist in
the army or navy. There may not be
sions but for all who are burning to spill
Spanish blood at whatever sacrifice of
self-interest, we have no doubt that
rifle or cutlass will always be found wait
ing.
The uniformed militia of the several
States would form the readiest auxiliaries
Of the regulars in case of emergency, and
Of course, they would be given chance
10 volunteer. The First Regiment, the
Blues, the Fayette Artillery, and the
Howitzers. all volunteered I'm 1851, and
thus became a part of the army of the
Confederacy. Existing volunteer organi-
cations were also made use OF at that
time by the United States authorities.
The New York Seventh Regiment was ia
service for little while. under the 90
days call. possibly. The Massachusetts
troops, at whose head Ben. Butler march
cd through Baltimore. were also com
posed OF companies OF the National Guard.
We suppose these commands were fur
nished by their States az parts of their
quotas under the call for 1880 men made
by President Lincoln.
Later on, volunteering grew slack.
Young men discovered that army service
meant danger, hardship, and restraint.
Some of the patriotism that rose 10 the
boiling point on dress parades oozed ont
on lonely picket lines or IN showers Of
hullets The South then resorted to con-
scription. The North. when il wanted
say. hundred thousand fresh men. maae
q requisition for them upon the STAT
The States fixed the quota OF each citv
and county. and wherever Volunteers
could not he gotten 10 an them. drafts
were made.
In those days IN many parts az ,bo
North clubs were formed and into ,ho,a
treasures money was paid every month
with which TO hire substitutes for smch
Of their members as should be draf,aa
Eisewhere. by special taxes, many tours
and counties raised large sums which
they expended in bountses 10 men vho
woule come forward and make up thel,
qnotas. In that way the necessity for |
drafts was avoided. And SO our friends