Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-10-19
TWELVE PAGES.
THURSDAY. OCTOBER 10. 1899.
WE MUST BE OUR OWN ARMY.

The vlrginian- Pilot sees with much
satisfaction that the Virginia Militia
which Mckinley, under preteXt of an
act of Congress, practically destroyed
by merging it in his army TO fight the
Spaniards, and differing with his APP
polntees. is again rcorganizing. The
wisdom or the fathers, and all our eX-
perience In war, whether to execute the
laws. suppress instructions, or repel
3nvasfons. have impressed upon all
thoughtful citizens the value and inn
portance OF popular and c0nsttu-
tional State Militia; and all our best
soldiers, patriots and statesmen have
concurred in testifying to its efficiency.
But note. while the constitution en-
powers Congress ITO provide for organ
izing. arming and disciplinng the
Militia, and for GOVERNING SUCH
PART OF THEM as may be employed
in the service of the United States ITO
execute the laws of the Union. eel,
RESERVING TO THE STATES RE
6PECTIVELY. THE APPOINTMENT
OF THE OFFICERS. AND THE AI-
THORITY OF TRAINING; THE MILL
TIA ACCORDING TO THE DlSCT-
PINE PRESCRIBED BY CON
GRESS."
That the President could in effect.
take this Militia and embody it as n
Federal army. differed by Federal ap-
pointees, commissioned by the Presi-
dent. was never contemplated by the
constitution nor the people, nor by any
body else until the tin Napoleon Of
hnf 1,-{,I,
tary power and glory: yet that is what
McNihiey did when he called out the
Miiitla ana sent 1t abroad in our war
Win spain. 1T is true that while tho
Militia may volunteer for foreign sor-
vice. that neither requires nor author
lies any Federal transformation tbot
defeats the constitutional provisions for
state oficers-their appointment" bo-
'ng distinctly, expressly and cmphati-
caiiy TO the States respectively"
Dut we know what happened and we
nave found that the result is that our
volunteer forces absorb our Militia and
oisbhnd 1t. and create of il n I,od.ro,
military organization to suit imnor;,,
and eXtra-constitutiona and on,i.,,
stitutional schemes. Congress .ho,,,,
fnnf lie
such mutations and virtual abolition of
inc militia when 1t authorizes Tho
raising of volunteer force. ~.
whether these results are necessary. on
whether 1T be cXnedient to permit th.,,
or more wise and more i'm consor.,,
with the constitution TO provide 49,
when the State militia, or any nor,;o.
thereof. may volunteer beyond fts s,,,,
or states IT shall still remain state
militia. with the same rights as if i, 20.
manned In the States Respectively
What reason is there for IN. ro,,.
of re-ofIicering the militia that yo,un-
teer and Federalizing them? Doos 49,
policy promote volunteering. or mo-
mote emulation or promote the cspt do
corps that so graces and inspires ,bo
troops OF State, led by their own mill.
TIA officers, and all united by tics or
kindred. friendship and long associo.
lion! Surely, there Is little to commend
the plan of deprivlng soldiers Of their
State officers and comrades and puttinc
strangers over them, unless 1t is mean,
10 destroy the old fellowship and mould
the troops into mere machines. plant
TO an imperial militarism.
And that suggests the most importan.
, matter connected with the armed forces
Oh Tree people. Is the United States
TO abandon its safe and peaceful policy
s OF over q century, and keep Federal
Z armies. standing armies, great military
establishments, like those OF Europe2
y No! That 10 the voice OF the founders