The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-06-20

Among the things that the present war has brought to public attention is that little brother of the regular army, the National Guardsman And people are asking-or it is time they asked-what about the National Guard? After years of indifference and neglect, years of rid icue and being called ''tin soldier" the national guardsman Is at la coming into his own. The average person knows noth- ing of him. Except for a hay idea tha t somewhere or other there are a number of young men who spend time playing soldier that might be used to better ad- vantage, they have no idea whatever of what he is or of the work he does They do not realize that there are something over 10000 national guardsmen in this country and that this body of men will in time of trouble furnish an invaluable adjunct to the regular army. In fact, with only about 5000 regulars, the or ganized militia will be absolutely essen- tial for the national defense
 To anyone with even the slightest knowledge of militia affairs, the old idea of contempt and rdicule for the citizen soldier has long since vanished Ger tainly the federal government has come
  solute necessity to the country in case of war Not merely a fighting force, but as a rallyng point and training school for volunteers. In fact in recent years, instructors have been detailed from the regular service for duty with the organ izations of the several states and these instructors, all of them men of experience and attainments, are on permanent duty with the various regiments. Their work in whipping the men into shape, in in- structing them in the minutiae of their branch of the service has borne abund- ant fruit in increased efficiency. So the national guardsman knows that whether the public appreciates his work or not, his government does.
 Layman Cannot Appreciate Him
 To properly appreciate his work is for the layman utter impossibility. The miltiaman knows this, and so wastes mighty little time expecting sympathy. On the contrary, he is usuay kept too busy parrying the abuse Of his friends to expect anything of the public he is sworn to protect. All he asks is to be let alone. to be allowed to play soldier un- molested. and in doing so, to follow one of the oldest and most universal of in- heritcd impulses. But anyone who ever tried it can tell that he is not left to ride his hobby peacefully On the con frarN. ms 1lUlnE l6 TOu6n anu Iuii oi bumps The great thoughtless, foolish, selfish public ignores him, his family de- plores him and if his best girl clings to him closer than ever, she too is mere ly obeying an inherited impulse. that which has always made brass buttons and gold lace attractive to feminine eyes, This is about all the announcement he gets.
 The national guardsman serves without pay except while on active service, when he receives almost one-fourth of a day IA aborer's wages. The government arms and equips him, provides all necessary material and furnishes experts to train him and discipline him. In return ne holds himself ready to serve at all times and in any manner. to resist lnVaslon from without and insurrection from with in He is sworn to obey all lawful or ders from proper authority. and Is ex- pected to be ready to march anywhere the President may direct The only re- ward he receives or expects, except the fun there is in it (Which is enough for any healthy boy) is the consciousness or duty well performed, and the knowledge that he has made himself into man fit to serve his country in time of need.
 In type our citizen soldier is just exactly what he is in civil life, If he is a bad citizen he is certain to be bad soldier. In fact he is more citizen than soldier, for few hours week of soldering cannot unmake the citizen. And right there is one of the finest things about the National Guard. Instead of vast standing army. which the wisdom of our ancestors rightly believed to be a menace to the rights of a free people and the usual tool of despotism. how much better to build up what President Wilson called a .'citizenrv trained and accustomed to arms" That is exactly what the National Guard roe<s to be. and so far as it's members go, actually is.
 Type of Citizen Soldier
 Our citizen soldier is as a rule a clean, descent. upstandpg young American, with plenty of youthful animal spirits and an enormous appetite for excitement and adventure. It is this hgh spirit that leads him to enlist Your Miss Nancy