The age-herald., 1898-04-25
The Volunteer Army.

The Volunteer Army.
 President Mckinley by authority of con- gress, has called for 125, 900 volunteers, and doubtless the men who respond to this call will be, together with the regular army, the men who will give Cuba freedom and drive the Spaniards out of America. As Spain can neither reinforce her army in Cuba, nor land troops in this country, larger force than the present call includes, will scarcely be necessary. If more men are needed, the insurgents will surely fur a call for the army of liberation-for the army that is to win glory in as an unselfish war as was ever waged in the worlds his tory. It not a land-grabbing war; it is demands; it is simply and wholly war in behalf of freedom and humanity, and the punishment that Spain will receive will, to some extent, avenge the dastardly de- struction of the Maine.
 There is strong probability that the volunteer force called for will be ready for service quicker than like numbers ever were equipped and moved to the scene of hostilities, and this will be due to the of fers of wel-drilled and wel-equipped organizations of the national guard The indications now are that nearly, if not al, the number required will come into the service in that form. The courage and de- votion of the organized militia will, in that event, become matter upon which history will dwell but better than history will be soonest bring the war to a successful con clusion.
 Fortunately, in this state there is an cx- cellent organized militia, and by lucky number the states quota under the call of the president for volunteers. The differ ence will not exceed hundred men. so that the places of those who can not con- veniently give their services to the coun- try at the present time, can undoubtedly be promptly filed. This plan of filling the states quota will not only insure an ex- cellent representation of the state in the volunteer army, but 1t will greatly sim pIify all enlistment and organiza ton steps and expenses The states quota would in that case be as good as filled, and rapidly and well filled, too.
 Very many reasons conspire to favor this plan of filling the quota. It sends forward the very best portion of the military strength of the state-men comparatively well trained, who can soon be turned into seasoned soldiers. It preserves, too. the state organizations, and this is no small matter neither at the present time nor in the years of peace to come. The officers selected are the choice of the men them selves, and they know and have confidence in each other It is gratifying to hear that the war department will promote in every organizations where they come into the volunteer forces as such.
 Quickness fin organization and movement is, however, of most importance, and this will be greatly subserved by the volunteer ing of the organized militia. The rainy season in Cuba does not become very fatal or very obstructive until the first half of June is spent, and it is believed by mii- tary experts that the organized militia can be landed in Cuba and can accomplish it's task, namely, the taking of Havana, and  the defeat of Blancos army, before that time And even if the task be not quite accomplished by that time, the men can to some extent become accustomed to the climate. and the camps can be put in the