Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-06-02
OH SnIDIERS.

The following is an editorial article
from yesterdays issue of the washington
POST
The Post was the first newspaper to
call attention 10 the disappointment OF
the country in the National Guard. For
years before this war came on the belief
was almost universally prevalent that
we had a force OF 10000 to 10000 Of or
ganized. drilled, disciplined, and tolerably
well equipped State troops, that in any
sudden emergency could be put into the
field as soon as transportation and COM
missary supplies could be provided. 1t
was supposed that this army could be
organized into brigades divisions, and
corps. and put into actual war in a very
few days. How completely events have
dispelled this illusion need not be retold
in detail. Not a single company of the
National Guard in any State was ready
when the nation called, although many
companies regiments ana brigades were
periodically willing to respond. Not a
single company was able TO pass the med
ical inspection without serious loss OF
members, and neither national nor State
governments, nor both combined, had
provided either quartermasters' commits
sary, ordnance. or medical stores. 1t was
a startling discovery of total unreadiness
for an emergency which we had been led
for. IL showed that a nation, second 10 no
other in aptitude and capacity for mil
itary work--a great, rich, powerful, and
patriotic nation-was for the time, ut
ferly impotent so far as related 10 any
operation outside of our own territory.
Not even our little force OF regulars was
equipped for such an occasion. II. when
war was declared, we had been able 10
put an army of 100000 men into Cuba,
We should have been some months nearer
The end OF the war than we now are.
Isut, while the Post has deemed il the
duty of the press 10 expose the folly OF
relying on the National Guard i'm the con-
ditiOn i'm which this war found Il, the
Post has not decred nor DETAINED that
body OF citizen soldiers. One OF our con-
Temperatures. New York paper, goes
altogether TOO far in its efforts TO pro-
mote a policy OF preparation for war as
81 normal condition. OF course we should
always be prepared for war, defensive or
offensive. az home or in foreign lands.
but I'm arguing for that. IL is unjust TO
say that 'the National Guard has proved
itself worthless" On the contrary. the
guard has contributed many thousands
of well-driiled men TO the force now I'm
the field. Many organizations. after their
ranks had been thinned by the doctors,
were filed TO the requisite number by re-
cruits from other organizations. 1t is
probable that not less than 10000 National
Guard men are now in camp or on the
move toward Cuba and Manila Such an
organization Is very far from worth
less II will be a great contributor 20
tho success OF our arms.
As the POST said In it's first discussion
OF the subject, II was not the fault of the
state troops that they were !n many in
stahcfs unit aud In all cases unprepared
Tor service. The Constitution imposes on
-ohsfess the duty OF so legislatng that
Wo snail always have reliable and eff.
sfht army reserve. IL is the business OF
~onsress ITO provide for organizing.
a s and disciplning the militia. and
~ d sea.Inlns sueh part OF them as may
DC employed ~ the service OF the Tinted
States. II Congress had obeyed This
UNCONSTITUTIONAL command ths National