New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-31
THE SEVENTIES ORDEAL.

Probably the members OF the 9TH Regiment
Yesterday expected 20 be made the target LOT
some uncomplmentary expressions from the
crowds that lined the streets. For year they
have endured in silence and with dignity the
critical remarks of those who honestly disap-
nroved their action concerning enlistment ana
tho ohuse of those who with malicious glee TOOK
odvontane Of the incident In the hope OF running
on organization which excited the jealousy OF
some and the hatred of others. 1t was ineViu-
b,e that this industriousy fostered antagonism
should manifest itself when the regiment came
to narade before the public. 1t had to be faced.
II was faced in manly fashion, and after the Or
deal is passed we believe that the regiment mas
the respect Of all whose respect is worth having
That respect does not necessarily carry WIN II
agreement that the regiment pursued the wise
course last spring 1t does carry with II cohu
dence in the bravery and patriotism OF the men
who at a time Of public excitement look Wha'
they knew was an unpopular course, sure 10 ne
misunderstood by friends and misrepresehteu
by enemies We have always thought the "o'e
Of the regiment against breaking up the OF
pan;Zation and individual enlistment WAS Il
mistake but we never had any doubt that IL
was taken in good faith by men VINO pe-
lieyed they were acting for the best inter-
csts of the Guard Their repeated efforts 10
secure service as volunteer regiment showed
that they were not lacking In patriotism OF
bravery In spite of the vote against dlsrupthE
tho regiment about as many Ith men went 10
tho war ms there were list men in the volunteer
organization which bore that name. Whatever
fault The members Of the 9TH committed through
over-devotion TO their own command it is not to
be forgotten that n greater fault was cohhl''eu
bv those above them in so bungling the recruit
inc of the States contingent as to put Nauohal
Guard interests in seeming conflict with Voiuh-
.oor enlistment The utter decentralization which
came to several of the regiments as the result
docs much TO excuse If not entirely to justify
the 9TH for the discretion that went before zeal.
The 9TH stands and has stood in this state as
n bulwark of order. and it Is serious question
whether il would have been warranted III lor-
getting It's primary duty to engage IN other WORK
under conditions destructive OF It's orginal char-
acter. The State authorities themselves look
the same view, and, after subjecting the regl-
ment TO scorn for voting freely at what was an
nounced TO be n free vote, declared that they
would not have let the regiment go anyway, as
Il was needed uninterrupted at home The 9TH
had the right and the duty when asked 10 take
n vote on the subject to express It's views nom
estly. frankly and without compulsion. To hold
Il mn 10 obloouy for exercising It's free right OF
choice Is to confess that the choice was only
discussed form of tyranny. The regiment has
suffered from that tyranny for year. Inc
petty malice Of the hoodlums who have with
great pains been preparing their feather bags
and sand boxes for this occasion has nc last
been vented and the Kisses and the missiles
have disgraccd nobody but the hoodlums