The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-01
THE TWENrY-sEC0ND REGIMENT.
veteran Clears Up a MISUNDERSTANDING
About the REORGANIZATION.

ahbVut
To THE EDITOR OF THE SuN--Sir. Jus
tice alike to a famous regiment OF the
New York National Guard and to Major
General j. +. organ impels me to write
to THE Sun about the protest OF the vet
Grams OF the Twenty-second Regiment in
relation 10 the disarmament OF that or
ganization, my purpose being to clarity
the issue presented II Is one that vitality
Affects the interests of the National Guard
as n whole.
Unfortunately the meeting of the veter-
ans OF the regiment, extensively reported
in the newspapers, took "A form that may
inadvertently confuse two issues upon
one OF which /, who at one time served
IN the regiment do not find myself in
agreement That issue is the opposition
TO reorganization OF the Twenty-second
Regiment for the good OF the service and
In conformity to the requirements OF the
national law. Unfortunately the appeal
OF this unofficial body OF veterans over
the head OF the Major General to Gov
ernOr Glynn may readily bear this APP
pearance. which was In nowise Contem-
plated, their purpose being prlmari the
preservation OF the nominal Identity and
traditions of a historic organization with
an honorable record of faithful and efli-
Client service. Hut there is to be very
greatly deprecated any unforeseen ten
dency this appeal may cause to promote
rather than prevent political Interference
In the conduct and discipline of the Ma
tonal Guard IL the present protest can
be popularity understood and at Albany
strictly confined to operate only for the
preservation OF honorable traditions In
the nominal identity and distinction OF a
famous militia organization, IL will go far
toward correcting an unfortunate official
tendency In military circles in this coun-
try TO brush aside lightly some of the
most potent and real factors In any mill
tary efficiency and esprit de corps" We
have too much OF this sort OF thing In the
zeal OF the War Department for "prac-
ticai efficiency, from wping out with
stroke OF the pen the nominal identity
and memory OF honored regiments of the
regular army for new collective forma-
tons like the coast artillery corps to re-
ducing designations and uniforms to a
dead level OF ugly similarity tending to
destroy all sense OF distinctive pride.
When II may be better appreciated In Off
cial circles that sentiment lies as much
at the bottom OF efficiency and fun ranks
as anything else and when means are
taken to foster the sentiment perhaps the
problem OF recruiting for the army as
well as for the militia may take on "A
more hopeful aspect.
The present row in the New York Ma
tional Guard brings this aspect forcibly
to the front. and II will be great pity
IL confusion Of thought mixes this issue
actual formative organization. General
organ is also right and should lie
strongly upheld In instituting at this time
n complete subordnaton of social activ-
lily and facilities to military needs and
to any necessary reorganzations for Sc
lectiVe Improvement of personnel and to
conform TO the national law. OF this
there can be no question. but II Is to be
regretted that a too sweeping construc-
ton OF the need in this instance has OBJ
tanned credcnce. That General Organs
remarks could have no disparaging refer
ence TO the Twenty-second Regiment in
this way is. let us hope, probable. as the
reports of the United States army inspec-
tors too emphatlcally attest the efficiency
of this regiment as a whole.
1t seems to me that some appreciatve
mention OF the regiments past honorable
record. the devotion OF It's men. number
ing among them In its fifty-three years
history such men as Stewart l.. Wood
ford, Henry Clews, George Il. Post
George w. Wingate. Asa Bird Gardiner
and IA host of other prominent citizens Of
later and present service, might have ac-
companied the order, with a recommends
ton for the perpetuation OF the regi-
ments identity and appreciation OF pres
ent active members. who have made many
voluntary sacrifices without pay for many
years and who naturally feel an intense
sense Of injustice.
This occurrence may illustrate the flu
tility and mischievous fallacy OF the at
tempt TO get a regular army ready made
| on occasion out Of the State National
| Guards for nothing. as a cheap substi-
tute for numerical deficiencies in the reg
| ular establishment or for a nationally
maintained reserve answering the needs
of the nation in organization and direct
| Government control behind which the
State guards should fittingly take their
place in the scheme OF national defence
STURGIs LAURENCE.
New YORK, December 81.