New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-06
THE ACTION OF THE SEVENTH
WOULD VOLUNTEERS HAVE FORFEITED
THEIR MEMBERSHIP?
AN ALLEGED STATEMENT FROM ALBANY cRrK
ICIsED-THOsE IN THE FIELD WOULD HAVE
CONSTITUTED THE REGIMENT

IrrsEp-THosE IN THE FIELD WOULD HAVE
CONSTITUTED THE REGIMENT.
To the Editor of The Tribune
Sir: ! have read with great and interest q
statement in The Sunday Tribune rororted as made
by a member Of the Eth Regiment. ! have also
carefully noted your editorial Regulars and
Guardsmen" ard now submit some suggestions for
which trust you nay find space In your columns.
The subject is one Of vital importance and 10 b
seriously considered now.
The Of some Of the miltism men Of New
York and Brooklyn in respect of volunteering I'M
der the Presidents call for the quota from tho
State OF NewYors has already excited much dis
cussion at home. and must exercise y revolutionary
influence upon present military system through
ont the United States. which calls for a small
standing army and "A well-regUlated militia"
trained according to discipline prescribed by Con.
gress" (Article I. Section S. Constitution OF the
United States).
Responsibility always attaches to elevated posi-
ton ard is much increased when men claim recos-
milton because Of special intelligence social or
financial position II mer would have others emu
late them they must be ready TO cultivate ana
maintain high ideals and willingly meet the needed
sacrifice support them
The fact that the President limited the call for
volunteers 10 i25 60 from the whole country
indicated that in MS Judgment this number. in adj
dition the Regular Army. would meet the need
for land forces, even though a portion might %
called to active duty in CUBA itself II must be ap
parent that this contest with Spain will be prac-
ticaly decided by the naval forces. Those who have
given closest attention the subject and who are
we'll acquainted with the condition Of the Cuban
| insurgents firmly impressed with the view that
II artillery, small arms and ammunition arc prompt.
y and freely supplied by our Government. there
Will be little II any demand for American volun-
teers .or service in Cuba Naval cooperation WILL
OF course be necessary. 1t would be sad com.
men;ary upon American soldery II the Regular
Army. added 20 the Cubans and supported by he
United States Navy. not sufficient 20 dispose
Of the Spanish troops IN Cuba and Porto Rico.
THE NEEDS OF THE GOVERNMENT.
This possible denand upon Regular Army
made Iudicous and essential the call FOR volunteers
10 guard coasts and 10 protect the places va
Gated by the regulars ard 10 secure ourselves
against any possible contingency OF even tempo
rary defeat. Naturally. therefore. Il was TO be ex-
poet ID that the organzati ms In the various states
calling themselves the Natioral Guard tor. In other
words the American Volunteer Army In time OF
peace should fur lish the nucleus OF the American
Volunteer Army in time OF war In accordance
with the theory OF our Government.
The small number Of men called for out OF our
large petrotic and united population made II en-
tlrey unnecessary for any member OF the militia
,of'iccrs or mem TO sacrifice family or important
business interests at this juncture 20 volunteer
Examples were not needed to stimulate enthusiasm,
as II had already been amply shown that hundreH
Of thousands ready 10 answer the call 10 war.
II was only right that every one calling himsef
a National Guardsman should answer Present az
a first duty. Then IL would have been generally
right for the commanding officer or the Governor
Of this State to do what the Governor ~ Pennsyl.
vania did-advise that no man should feel com.
PEELED TO volunteer II IL called or susa' ansna
ent upon his earnings. as there were tnousamoss
hiadyyancas So The Governor ., Panrsylyania as
sured the that they should still remain hon.
orei members of their regiments. ready for future
1t seems to me that had this been said 10 the Ma
tonal Guard Of New York much mist nderst anding
n not humiliation. would have been avoided | WIZ
never bsee net ihe snSteq men l snd
unanimously voted against volunteering because or
them or tha; some Tammany heelers would OBJ
tain commissions In their regiment over the heads
wouIi b. dsinteSrsed by either State or National
authority punishment for entering the service
OF their country Such suggestion Is so absolutely
absurd that no one outside insane asylum would
deem II possible and II such word was uttered py
any one hi sbnI 4 soer be dismissed for i'm
be,illty. and. II civilian. be forced to resign imme
The real truth in this matter should be discov:;
cred without delay SO that me 1 boys no, or ny o.
lieved Of the od,um now attached 10 them, Their
patriotism but by misleading statement or
misconception OF duty, going 70 the root o. ais
oipne. however which Is OF the essence OF eni'
cheney.
WOULD RETAIN THEIR IDENTITY.
The Government needed soldiers. and what could
more nearly All the demand than thoroughly or
ganz ID regiment. fully differed and equipped WIN
r record TO maintain. and still further 10 ennooie!
The officers and men could volunteer as inoiVlo-
nails ca az 10 meet the technical provisions OF the
co,s,tu,,on and laws II the United States. but
that in nowlse prevented the 9TH Regiment OF New
York from retaining its Identity ana orsan a
The name and fame OF volunteer resiment de
pend upon itself and not upon It's numerc:i
h nn mn Of enrolled National Gusrdsmen In
WORK does not justify the deslgnatlom OF
achtd yoTn,esT TeSmeT. 1TGm 70 sn
Whose e o Standard ~ rs the Of bloody bat
Ties a lust pride warranted the perpetuation OF
that MOOR 2TeS emee WSseSe the
org anizations In New-York. the boys are permitted
HAD the majority of the 7th gore to the field as
individual volunteers they would rghtiuly have
mained behind. however just and reasonable their
conduct and not even an Adtuant General nor the
would have conceived such despicable course as
to deprive set sn nf had Of a ss bs .!
ben ndused pISSi ts s SsaTs
and immediate remuneration
trust The Tribune will insist upon the powers at
ANYTHING Sa has Been saa or done by authority
would Justify in the slightest degree s@cn ny
7th quoted by you. In JUSTIFICATION OF ,neir TO
fusal to volunteer JOSIAH e. hEiFF'
New-York May 1875.
THE statement referred to was that on the
morning before the meeting took place the au-
thorities at Albany were asked what would De-
come OF the 7th Regiment II the majority an
swered the call and entered the volunteer army.
Those who remain behind was the answer.
will keep up the organization and will form .
nucleus for a new 7th Regiment and within Q
few weeks the organization will again have fun
ranks" II was further said that those who re-
turned from the war would have to be mustered
in again in order to regain membership In th&
eth Regiment.-Edl A.z-<1s.:=a.- .x..-:-.ss3!sa.