Evening journal., 1913-02-19
OUR CITIZEN SOLDIERS.

THERE are too many persons in Delaware par
tcuarly in the rural sections, who dis
posed to make light Of Organized Militia, or,
as ii is known popularity, National Guard.
Few such persons realize the Of time energy
and money our citizen soldiers contribute to the up
keep of organization which, while it is of little use
in time peace. except for parading purposes, will
be of incalculable in time of when the
civil authorities confronted by internal disorder
with which they unable to cope.
who will spend much Of his spare time in
drilling and keeping himself in At condition for ef-
fcctive service and who holds himself in readiness,
year after year, to abandon his home, his place Of
employment and his social diversions upon in
stants CALL is deserving Of the respect and admiration
of his friends and neighbors The Minute Men Of
the Revolution who did such effective work when
Republic in its infancy, did nothing more in
the way OF self-sacrihce than militiamen
doing were they trained equipped we'll for
effective service The only difference is that the
Minute Men Of The Revolutionary period had op-
portunty to show what they could do in actual
nict whHe Minute Men" Of today have had
such opportunity Should the time when
duty calls them to play part in ensanguined
drama have doubt they will uphold the reputa-
ton of Delaware for being producer Of fighting
Too much honor be paid the volunteer cti-
soldier who stands ready at all times to exchange
the implements Of peaceful comfortable and remuner
atYc industrial pursuits for the sword, the rife the
bayone and the dangers and hardshps of the and
Delawareans should stand by and uphold their citi-
soldiers. They should remember that no soldier,
be he regular mlitiaman, is OF much military
in time of peace. but that when war comes he is
invaluable because Of his preparedness his State,
his nation and his friends ncghbors They should
remember, also that the citizen soldier is deserving
If anything of greater respect and admiration than
the regular soldier. The citizen soldier is a yolun-
teer, who serves for the love of it and who looks for
and receives little remuneration The regular
soldier goes into the service for living The citizen
soldier is producer in time peace, and as rule
man who plays active and at times conspicuous
part IN the civic affairs Of the community in which
he resides. The regular soldier is at all times a non
producer and his influence counts for little
in shaping the civic affairs OF community in which
he may chance to be stationed There are exceptions
to this. but they simply 80 prove the rule
II viii be seen, therefore that there are many things
which should commend Organized Militia to the
friendly feeling and support our citizens and
that should impe those who are too prone to speak
slghtingly OF the citizen sodiery be more respect.
ful and sensible in their attitude Too much has been
said in the about tin soldiers and the expense or
maintaining the Organized Militia. 1t is full time
that Deawareans should measure the citizen soldier
as he deserves to be measured and to respect and
uphold him he deserves to be respected and up-
held.