The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1898-05-03
THE DUTY OF THE STATE GUARD.

TO teach the people that the
danger and the nucleus for an army
in time of war. 1t has combattcd IN It's
columns the attacks upon the citizen
soldiery, made by men who desired to
save the small sum voted for the Guard,
and urged liberal appropriations for
their equipment and their comfort.
Those who nave called them toy sol
diers, who had no duty other than to
preside at hangings and attend p~ic-nics,
have had no sympathy or comfort in
these columns.
Regarding the military companies as
composed of brave and gallant men,
who would be the defenders not only of
their firesides but of the national flag
wherever assailed. we confess to dlsap-
pointment that, while most of the Guard
has volunteered for the present war,
some Of the companies have held back
and are hesitating about going TO the
front. We do not attribute this to any
spirit of cOwardice, or to any lack OF
patriotism, but to a mistaken idea OF
the duty that rests upon them. They
seem to think that they We're organized
and equipped solely for the protection OF
their localities and not to fight when the
need of the government is SOreSt. we
think this Il mistaken view. While tech
nically this contention, owing to the
chaos of all military legislation. may be
maintained. it is not in accordance With
the spirit of the law or with the view
| hitherto entertained by the members of
| the State Guard. The members and
the public has always felt that the
Guard in any war was to be looked to
as the nucleus Of IN army, and that 1t
would be as ready to take up arms
against Il foreign foe as to put down
an insurrectiOn or to preserve order. To
show that this has been the general
acceptation, the public was surprised
when they found that the members Of
the Guard had to volunteer before enter
ing the service. under the Presidents
proclamation. The President has au-
thOrity under the Federal laws to call
out the State militia. but the laws pro-
viding for the organization of the citizen
soldiery and the antiquated federal laws
are so complicated and, in some in
stances, conflicting, that the President
decided to adopt the course Of re- vOlun-
]tcerins. This conflict of authority, this
uncertainty. and the evils attending it
ought to call for an overhauling of leg
i~slation.
We believe that we voice the sentl-
ment of the State when we say that
it is the duty of every company in the
State Guard to put itself at the com
mand of the authorities. and to go to
the front in his national crisis. They
have the training, the experience. the
equipment necessary for service in the
army. This training and equipment were
given in the faith that the companies
would be ready and willing to respond
upon the first call for troops. giving
time for the enlistment and drilling OF
raw men to recruit their ranks. II
this is not the general acceptatiOn Of tho
necessity for local militia. why does the
government furnish arms and equipment
and inspection?
In saying that it is the duty of every
company to put itself 1T the disposal
of the authorities, we do not intend tC
reflect upon those members who for gooe
--1A s~l =. .,,,.llN Flr tIpn, ~
respond. Recently. when the Governor:
Guard made Raleigh proud by it:
prompt action. some of the member:
who dropped out" had reasons Ina
r home. With some of them it was a:
brave to stay at home and do the dut,
that they alone could perform as i
would nave been to face shot and shell
1t is hardly possible that all the mem
bers of any company can go to tn,
front. 1t is certain, however, that i
North Cardinals troops measure III
to those from other States most of tn,
: trained militia must go. The raw mel
d cannot at first be expected to be prof
Z ttltllI III NDdl IL " tHCHi ah t'lt1tl
g new calling. If the State militia stay
e at homo for local protection. untraine
S and unskilled men must do the worl
e for which the State Guard is we'll qua
h flied and for which it exists. We thin
it better for the young and qualified me
in the State Guard to compose the mai
body of our first 2,5S4 troops than tina
# they remain at home while the first an
n most important work be undertaken b
green men.
We recognize the need for the pres
ence of Il good company in all our Eas
ern towns, and we think the GovernC
ought to have this need in view. Moi
members of the companies in the Eas
ID should stay at home to drill the old
* citizens for duty as a home guard tina
u in the centre and west where this nee