The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-10-27
FOURTH REGIMENT
Reasons Why Young Men
Should Become Members
Of the Organization.
BENEFITS TO Be DERIVED
Military and Gymnastic Train
ing In a Perfect Armory-
Regiments Fine
Record.

The winter season of the Fourth Regi-
ment with all its numerous attractions
may be said to nave begun with the
preparations for the annual ball. Not
w-ithstanding the many causes which have
affected the regiment the Fourth IS in
fairly good shape. like every other or
ganization, however, 1t can be improved,
and that is the aim of the officers, from
Colonel r. G. Smith down. who desire to
place it on the highest plane OF excel
lence, discipline andesprit du corps.
Since the change made by Governor
voorhees, some time ago there are now
only eight companies In Jersey City, and
! these are closer to the minimum mark
Of Sc. There is no good reason why the
maximum mark of 50 should not be reach
ed. This can easily be done by our best
citizens taking an interest in it, as they
should do. if even only for the pride OF
Jersey CITY.
1t is said, and perhaps with a show OF
reason, that young men OF the better ciass
do not join the regiment in large numbers
because the standard is not considered
sufficiently high. A more exclusive char
acter is desired by them. Even II unat
should be true II can easily be altered by
these young men If they choose. A rev
good men in a company can easily add 10
their number and ultimately gadn controi
over those who are not sufficiently atten-
tive to their military duties. In one drill
season the could easily change a COM
pany from mediocre to excellent. That
has been done in crack regiments in New
York. like the Seventh and Twenty-sec-
ond. where a coterie of men In a company
being determined to make themselves
models of discipline and selectness did 50,
and their laudable example was emulated
by others in other companies to the END
that the regiment itself received a tire
mendous impetus in its progress and
placed it In the front rank OF military or
ganizatfons throughout the entire coun-
try.
To a young man In Hudson county there
il no clubroom for his recreation
and healthful enjoyment which can sur
mass the Armory of the Fourth Regiment.
His military duty is not heavy or difficult
and could easily be undertaken by the
proper display of self pride, which when
exerted IN that line causes him to dis
charge an important part OF his onn-
cations an an American and a citizen. 1t
was truly laid down by Lincoln, VINO
when addressing a regiment OF young
soldiers, said
HE who 10 not fit for an American
citizen soldier is not fit for an American
citizen
Beyond the opportunities furnished a
young man who joins the Fourth Regi-
ment of receiving a military training,
which inculcates habits of order, discip-
line and pride of his country, there IS the
hygienic side TO be remembered. There IS
no better gymnasium in the State thar
is found in the headquarters of the regi-
ment. Athletic sports in its numerous
forms are INDUCED in and on certain fixed
nights there are competitions for members
only.
For these and other reasons young men
ought to become affiliated with the regi-
ment in greater numbers. There Is no
regiment in the State can compare with
it in prestige, appearance, drill or dis
cipline. often 1t has been on show with
Others when these points of excellence
were universally conceded. In New York
it has paraded and many tributes OF
praise were accorded to it from high State
military officers for its bearing and march
ing.
TO maintain that position, TO keep the
regiment the pride Of Hudson county and
the crack organization of the State is the
desire of every right thinking citizen.
Other regiments in the New Jersey state
militia are making extraordinary efforts
this season TO take away some or the
Fourth's laurels and gain the front place.
surely there is local pride enough ia Hud-
son county to keep h Fourth where y
is-on top.