New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-26
A CALL FOR 100000 MEN URGED.
THE ADVANTAGE OF STRIKING WHILE THE
IRON is HOT AND SAVING THE BEST
MATERIAL IN ARMY AND
MILITIA
To the Editor Of The Tribune.

MILITIA.
To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: Your leading editorial in to-day's issue. as
to a call for a sufficient number Of volunteers. is
directly to the point. Does history repeat itself?
If so, must repeat our mistakes? Do we
gain nothing Ivy experience? one volunteer is
worth three drafted men. and worth FIVE men
who may have been induced TO enlist by the
offer Of bounties He feels that he himself is
responsible for the position in which he finds
himself. and for his own self-respect tries his
best 10 justify himself and thereby makes the
more Jealous soldier. 4 drafted man of precise
~ the same calibre-eVen the same individual
If he could he tried in each position-says TO
himself Il was forced into this position, or
was drawn into it by mercenary motives. How
can l do least? How can l best avoid hardship
and DANGER And he is never soldier at
heart.
The Executive no doubt knows best how many
men will probably he needed. but if we were 10
make mistake and no one is infallible. let us
have too many rather than too few. They can
easily he disbanded again If they are not needed.
Let us overrate enemy's powers rather than
underrate them: let us magnify the task before
us rather than minimize il. Above all. let us
take advantage Of the enthusiasm Of the mo-
ment--it will not continue at it's present heat
and have another call for volunteers, to make
the whole number at least five hundred thou
sand men.
Every day can gain in order TO organize
and drill Will be Of the utmost value. Let US
put the bestdrilled and disciplined troops we can
into the field. and when the unhealthy season in
Cuba is over let us be able. II necessary. TO
throw an overwhelming force there. II by that
time they are not needed. much the better for
us. We shall have fallen into the lesser evil.
Furthermore. why should waste our very
best material f1rst-our small. though spendidly
disciplined Regular Army. our well-drilled and
well-educated militia? Many OF them would be
capable and valuable officers for volunteer
levies So IT proved to be in 1861. The New
York It'll Regiment from its ranks alone sent
over six hundred officers Of volunteers into the
feld-more even than the then loyal graduates
OF West Point-and all Of them efficient several
rising 10 the grade Of general and field officers.
The 9TH Regiment then was one OF the Few we'll
disciplined militia regiments. Now nearly all
the State troops better drilled and dsci-
plined than this best regiment was then. why
should they now he exposed to the hardships or
the private soldier for which they are not In
constitution fitted? Why waste so much good
material by exposing them to the fevers OF the
camp and the toll and exposure or march anu
bivouac? Why destroy. while acting IN capaC-
fly below their qualification. so many beihe
fitted to he officers? We may need them all as
officers.
Again. We should Nave at home at least n
nucleus and an organization OF the militia 10
protect our cities now go much larger ihan they
were. from possible mob violence Keinelnp.r
all the circumstances Of the draft riots ~ 1913.
There is a vicious element in every city many
more now. with increased popula lon-only
waiting and always ready for their opportunity.
Spare the militia Let such II them indivdu-
ally as wish to 60 enter the volunteer army
keep those who cannot 70 and the organizations
a hOY n. needs
preserve the well dlsc plined regulars as trust
worthy nucleus. We may need IT, Call for
many more volunteers. Think " only ten thou
sand men the quota FOR the great Empire
State Of New York And call for them prompt
IS and quickly while ;hc enthusiasm Is here.
II may die out. strike while the iron Is hot.
and thereby may God send US a speedy and hon
orable peace, EX-NOLU NTEER.
New-York. April %. 1898