New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-11-25
GENERAL ROE AND THE 81 ARD.

The announcement that MajOr-General Zoe IS
70 be made and held responsible for the reor'
canizaton and rehabilitation of the National
Guard of New-York must crafty all who take
an intelligent interest in the military establish
mont The Governor will, of course. retain I'd"
title and authority of COMMANDMENTS Chief. ana
M doubt will no, only exercise his influence Dut
assert his supremacy if the necessity arises
h,t the understanding is that General Roe will
be in practical command, with abundant oppor-
tunity 10 demonstrate the qualifications which
he is credited with possessing in high degree.
Nor is there anv sufficient reason to fear that
be will prove inadequate 10 task OF when ne
certainly realizes the magnitude and impor-
tonce. He has had careful training and .ong
experience. he is dgent and conscientious ana
if there is any foundation for the criticism that
there is a slight excess OF caution ana h'e'non
in his disposition association with Col"nel
Roosevelt may be expected to correct that zen
dencv.
OF one thing General Roe and all who are
called TO cooperate with him may resi- assured
namely that the people of New-lork VIII heart-
ily welcome and support pretty radlcal trahs-
formation of the National Guard. The fact Is
well recognized that ii has heretofore mani
tested too low conception of the obligations
which at all times rest upon il. This has Deen
dino in large measure 10 an exceedingly faulty
organization but in large measure also to the
serious deficiencies of individuals who have
been inirusted with large responsibilities IN
spite of the generally high spirit which the sud
den demands of the war developed, the military
OPERATIONS of the last summer have made the
inevitable consequences Of former neglect ana
misdrection conspicuous. If the lesson has
boon Thoroughly learned large compensation for
recent disappointments will be found In the
establishment and maintenance OF vastly bet
for conditions TO such n process the new code,
though perhaps in need of particular amend
ments. is believed to be in general well adapted,
and the military authorities anticipate niue
difficulty in securing such notifications as VIII
make it wholly applicable to the purposes II
was honestly designed TO promote
The people Of NewYork have been extremely
liberal in their treatment OF the National GUARD
and having long taken pride in believing that II
was thoroughly efficient and faithful they were
CORRESPONDENCE dispcased by accommodating evil
dences that il had fallen into state Of demon
alizaton. Whatever some vain or tri1ing indl-
viduals who have been hOisted into places or
authority may think. the people do not look
upon the military establishment as luxury 10
be supplied for the pleasure of its members, but
as reasonable and necessary provision for the
general tranquility in time of peace and the
general defence in time Of war. Conceived III
any other way and maintained on any other
basis il has no warrant to exist al all. lis rea-
son for being is the service of the State. or
course the fact has always been not merely
but proclaimed. but the practice has
too generally borne little resemblance to the
PROCLAMATION. IT will be the duty. and, If he is
the man he is believed 70 be- the privilege and
distinction Of General Roe 10 Introduce new
order of things and make the National Guard of
New-York n model for the citizen soldiers OF
eVpry ot her State.