Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1911-01-07

fighting man. Let us not forget that
though the general may scheme ingen
iously, and the staff work ass:iuously
our hopes must tail II tho man be
hind the gun is not trained for his
task.
The officer is admired less for his
uniform and rank than for his knowl
edge and ability; and that officer who
would inspire the prompt implicit and
unquestioning obedience in fire con
troll, so essential in the presence OF
an enemy, must demonstrate that
he is master of the rifle and it's ball
istics, as we'll as of military terrain
and tactics.
The science of employme llt Of fire
in action should be Taught in non.
commissioned officers schools and a
knowledge of it disseminated through.
out the command, so that all may I'm.
derstand the intimate relation of work
on the range to the actual conditions
Of an engagement.
The effect of fire in action, the in.
fluence of the ground, and fire dis.
cipline principles should be elucidat-
ed upon every possible occasion.
Rests at drill may be employed for
this purpose; and short, laconic bull
letins, which arrest the attention may
be posted from time to time in the
armory in an attractive form which
will be read and discussed while
waiting for assembly and after dis
missal.
The private soldier may not be-
come an authority upon ballistics,
but he should have a knowledge of
the nomenclature and capabilities of
his piece. He should understand it's
use and care and be taught that it is
has faithful and indispensable CON-
panion on the paths of glory and his
only succor in adversely.
You may liken the infantry drill
regulations to the Old Testament if
you will, wherein are found the law
and the profits of Militarism, but do
not let the soldier forget that in the
small arms firing regulations, as we'll
as in the New Testament, he will
find his deliverance, his salvation
upon the field of battle. Let it be
his companion upon the range, in the
armory and at the camp. The mighty
Roosevelt has said Nov the most val
liable fighting man and the one most
difficult to perfect is the ri1eman,"
and he is popularity supposed to know
the confidence and safety born OF ia
miliarity and skill with a god rifle.
Let us hope that our wars may
ever be just.
But as it is not the province of the
individual soldier to determine the
justice or expectancy of war, to serve
his country faithfully and loyalty
when war shall come, let us not be as
blind leading the blind. Let us be
prepared intelligently to lead and di.
rect brove and efficient patriots to
victory.
What shall be said of the puerile
leadership which connives at murder
by sending troops into the face of
the enemy unprepared for their des-
perate task, or of that pusillanimous
patriotism which sounds the call to
arms to brave men and true, who are
not equipped for the protentious
struggle with death? Shall we forget
the lessons Of the past and content
ourself with the vain hope that our
pride and arrogance and wealth wlll
not equipped for the pretentious
in some inscrutable manner circum'
vigilent foe?
Let US be leaders fit for our tasks.
So that when we are called to defend
the national honor and integrity, we
may sacrifice never a life needlessly
but may acquit ourselves worthily,
compelling the confidence and esteem
of our compatriots and justifying the
faith and loyalty of those whom we
may lead.