New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-09-08
GOTERNOR BLACK AND TIE VOLUNTEERS.

Tho mastering ont and return to their homes
~ tho volunteer soldiers afford n suitable o.
casion for recognizing the work done by GOV
crnor Black in his capacity as Commander
u.Chicf of the National Guard of New-iork
since the first demand for lis services In the war
vos made The Tribune has always been
prompt to commend the Governors course wheh
opportunity offered and has found many things
70 pralsc in his administrations but ms he ana
ell our readers well know we have been equal
~ candid in cOndemnlng his not lnrrequeh'
errors. 50 that we are not likely TO be suspected
Of any Interior motive In expressing at ms Time
orr sense Of tho value OF hls services In con-
nccton with the war Like most OF MS pfeue
ccssors. he had had little or no military eX-
pericnce when he came into the Executive
Office. and undoubtedly he was at the outsct
led into some mistakes, OF which. we suppose
AdIutart General Tillinghast is now recognized
as one: but with the call TO arms his intense
carncstncss and natural saGacity supplied III
large measure the lack Of military training, ana
we are convinced that when the passions ana
prcjudiccs OF the period have subsidized he VIII
receive the credit he deserves for faithiul
performance Of unfamiliar duties arising our
OF the war
At the outbreak Of hostllites he was so for
tunatr rs 10 have as his own appolntee nj inc
head Of the State militia one Of the best officers
who have been graduated from West Point
since the Civil War. Until General Roe went
10 the front rs brgadier general OF volunteers.
Governor Black confidently relied In oil war
rreparatIons upon his broad military knowl-
edge. keen sagacry and cool judgment For
some of the steps taken in such circumstances
tho distinctions made in sending some regi-
mcuis TO the front and retaining others equally
good OF better: the disbanding Of II regiment;
Tho forming OF provisional militia organizations,
pfc-the Governor was bitterly assalled. Hut
Nc the facts have slowly been coming to light,
tho warrant for his actions has become more
and more apparent
II all regiments that so desired had been per-
rnlttcd 10 enlist Now York and other cities
" could have been loft unprotected against grave
dangers For this reason some OF our best mill
,arv concentrations were retained here against
their VIII to do rs patriotic duty rs fell To any
m Santiago Tho creation Of the provisional
regiments gave Invaluable security 10 the lives
and property OF all citizens. Even the disband
mont Of 4 brooklyn regiment for dsobcdicnce
Il orders though il produced temporary resent
mcnt In some quarters. Ind salutary effects
which are known 10 all familiar with tho facts
Governor Black has just returned from trip
10 the Southern volunteer camps. His visit 10
those places IS only one of the many evidences
he has furnished OF his regard for the welfare
Of the Ncw-Yorl volunteers. II unnecessary
pr!va,lons or hardshlps have been suffered. IL
was probably not I'm the power OF the Gov
ernor OF this State 10 prevent them. II delay
has occurred IN returning the volunteers 10 their
homes. II has rot been because he has failed
10 use the means m his disposal for Fastening
their return. Ills efforts 10 make the homo
coming not only speedy. but comfortable have
been intelligent and constant. In his devotion
10 this wor; he has sacrificed needed rest, and
truthful history will say that by his wis" pro-
vision Of the means 10 equip NETWORKS voun-
tccrs; by his loyalty and devotion In responding
10 the Prcsidcnts call fer troops; by his care
for the lives and property of those m home and
by his constant solicltude for those NJ the front
ne has earned n title TO public respect and
gratitude.