New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-11
GENERAL ROE AND THE GUARD.


The nomination Of Major Charles F. Roe for
Major-General In the National Guard and its
immediate confirmation without reference to
committee are incidents highly creditaoie 10
Governor Black and the Senate. This Is per
feet example of that desideratum which Is often
proclaimed but much less frequently realized
Of the Office seeking the man. The only pull
which was exertcd in behalf Of General Roe
was the pull" of professional capacity, which
includes far more than mere experience OF mill
tary affairs. The fact that he was trained nj
West Point and has served nearly twenty years
In the regular army Of the United States would
have created a presumption in his favor, but
If his fitness for the post to which he has been
assigned had been subjected TO no other test
than that 1t would have been necessary 10 wait
for events to demonstrate the wisdom OF the
choice.
Another test has been supplied, and If It Is
ever safe to predict that the performance or
new duties will enhance an established reputa-
ton, that prediction is justified In the case OF
General Roe In the development OF Squadron
A he has demonstrated In n conspicuous manner
under the watchful eyes of professional OBJ
servers in every State his pre-eminent talents
for organization and command and all those
moral qualities which are essential to military
chief And Il is therefore with full confidence
in his ability TO meet the requirements of
larger field Of action that the news of his pro
motion is received.
The REORGANIZATION Of the National Guard OF
New-York is thus initiated under the most
favorable conditions The scheme devised by
the Commission Of which General Roe was
hoo baap Disclosed
enough is known about It's general features to
warrant the belief that under his direction it
will operate to the credit of the Guard and the
advantage Of the State. A military establish
ment which Is not essentially solderly has little
excuse for existence. 1t speaks well for the in
telligent fidelity of our troops that the degenera-
ton which has at times been encouraged from
headquarters has never proceeded far: but
nevertheless 1t has been recognized for num-
Der of years by those most competent to form
an opinion that radical reorganization was
essential to the preservation Of high standard
Of efficiency in the Guard and TO It's continued
endowment of public confidence. A prolonged
period Of that very tranquility to which n gen.
era trust In the citizen soldiers powerfully con
tributes tends TO relax the discipline which can
alone make them fit for an emergency. 1t re
quires rare qualities in commander to counter
act that tendency and inspire his men with n
constant zeal. The machinery Of organization
may be helpful, or It may be, as It has been in
this State adverse. Defects in a system are
discredltable but the wisest regulations cannot
automatically correct an evil. 1t is the personal
equation which counts most. The best results
can he obtained only when the application Of
the best system is intrusted TO the best man.
One Of these essential conditions has been
supplied by the appointment of General Roe,
and there is good reason TO believe that the
other is now in process of evolution.