The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1907-02-04

Special Correspondence to The Evenin.
Times.
Washington, D. c., Feb. 4.-The
awakening of interest in the organi-
cation and equipment of the national
guard is almost universal in all the
states, and is calling for the very fav-
orable attention of congress. In this
connection the story of the American
National Guard, from the beginning
will be of interest to all readers. 1t
Is the theory of our form of govern
ment that in case of war the govern
ment must rely on its citizen soldiery
for defense, and that large standing
army is not, and never can be neces-
sary. That being the theory it would
naturally occur to the least observ-
ant that the militia should constantly
receive the appreciation and encourage
ment of the governing authorities.
Until within a comparatively few
years congress has been very remiss
in its treatment of the militia. Except
in most of the wars with the
Indians and our recent war
with Spain, it has been the
volunteers and not the regulars
that did most of the fighting, not that
the regulars did not fight we'll, but be-
cause they comprise but a small por-
ton OF the forces of the government.
In all the wars the government has
been engaged in it has been handicap
ped very greatly by the want of a we'll
organized and trained militia.
Congress very early recognized the
need of an organized militia, and took
some steps toward encouraging such
an organization But, in the early
history of our government lack of
means made these steps very
small and inedaquate for effec
tive work. The first law on
the subject will prove curl
osity in these days of great achieve
ments. One section reads as follows:
every citizen so enrolled and noti-
fed, shall, within six months there
after, provide himself with a good
musket, or fire-lock, sufficient bay
onet and belt, two spare fints, and a
knapsack, pouch, with a box therein
to maintain not less than twenty
four cartridges, suited to the bore of
his musket or fire-lock, each cartridge
to contain proper quantity of powder
and ball; or with good rifle, KNAPP
sack shot pouch and powder horn,
twenty balls, suited to the bore of his
rife, and a quarter of pound of
powder"
This act was passed in 1889 and it
will be seen that the militiaman was
expected to furnish his own arms and
ammunition, and equip himself
thoroughly at his own expense. In
those days nearly every man had a
rifle or musket, as it was necessary
for the defense of his family and the
community against Indian raids. But
the section in regard to the arms and
equipments of the officers is more of a
curiosity than the other, and refers to
some equipments the National Guards
man of today would be at loss to
know the use of. Another curiosity
in the section is the provision that the
militiaman should hold his arms and
equipment exempt from taxes or pay
ments of debts. 1t reads:
with a sword or hanger, and es-
pontoon and that from and after five
years from the passage of this act, all
muskets for the arming the militia,
as herein required, shall be of bores
sufficient for balls of the eighteenth
part of a pound. And every citizen
so enrolled, and providing himself
with the arms, ammunition and ac-
coutrements, required as aforesaid,
shall hold the same exempted from all
suits, distresses, executions, or sales,
for debt, or the payment of taxes"
A few years later there came
breath of war with Franc, and on the
seas several encounters took place be-
tween American and French war YES
sells. The prospect was so strong that
it was felt best to strengthen the mil
itia and the sum of 100000 was ap-
propriated to procure 10000 stand of