Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1907-07-25
BACK TO THE OLD WAY.

6ASN ~ tHC VIII WAL
The inspecting officer of the First Reg
iment, Vermont National Guard, reports
that the opinion prevails among COM
pany officers that the holding of the an
nual muster at the permanent camping
grounds at Essex Junction is detrimental
to the interests of the service, that it
keeps men from re-enlisting and that the
old method of holding the muster at vari-
GUS points in the state, year by year,
would be much better.
When, about dozen years ago, ii was
proposed to establish permanent grounds,
instead of moving about, the military
sharps were quite unanimous in the view
that great good would result. 1t was
pointed out that better accommodations
could be prepared, insuring improved
health and efficiency, also that camping
near the regular troops stationed at Fort
Ethan Allen would tend TO incite the
best efforts among the guardsmen and
give them the benefit OF example. In
practice, these good things have not
been fully realized, while the change has
resulted in disadvantages that more than
compensate. The state camping grounds,
even when fitted up at considerable cost
to the state, have not proven nearly so
satisfactory for comfort and service as the
/ grounds available when the muster was
son wheels.n The proximity Of the reg
ulars has been of some benefit, but as the
troops stationed at the post are generally
cavalry and artillery, of which arms Yer
mont is now destitute, there is not much
to be learned that reflects directly on the
state guard.
Now every enlisted man knows that the
annual muster is the crux of his years
service. He looks forward to it with an
ticlpation, or should. In the old days,
when the encampments visited various
points in the state, they had novelty of
attraction to the guardsman that is now
altogether lacking. He felt that he was
to visit new locality; to see and be seen
by new audience, whereas now it is an
old story and an approaching muster
awakens little response in him except a
desire to do his duty. 1t is well enough
to say that guardsman should not look
upon the annual encampment as in any
degree a pleasure excursion, but should
devote his attention strictly to business.
But militia service is altogether volun-
tary. Men do not have to join or re-en-
list if they find the service unpromising
or unpleasant. You cannot catch flies
with vinegar. You cannot make an eff
Gent state guard without men, and when
you must depend on the attractiveness of
what is offered to get and hold the men,
nothing should be introduced that tends
to drive them away or out. The travel
ing muster certainly had the call over the
present one, in this regard. 1t may be
that, if the men could be held, perma-
nent camp in proper site would be pref
cradle, but these conditions have not
been met.
In former times, towns bid eagerly for
chance to secure the muster, and the
event was gala one for the entire sec
ton. Thousands gathered to W tness the
drills and parades, and they both gave
and received inspiration from the scene.
, The guard was strengthened in spirit and
in membership, while the large proper
ton of people of the state who, in the
course of twenty years, saw at least one
encampment, kept alive a warm feeling
for the military arm and made recruiting
, easy. Now nobody scarcely knows when
muster is held and few assemble to
meet and greet the boys, who miss the
: kindly welcome and appreciative audi
ences of former days.
1t was, as Mayor Dyer reports, mis-
: take to fix permanent camping grounds
at Essex Junction, and the sooner a
? change is made back to the old system
the better for the guard, whose numbers
. are falling away to degree that bodies
. danger to the organization, if it should
l continue.
CA9ToRIAo
Bears the ,lha Kind You Have Always Bought