The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1915-05-27
BEHALF OF STATE MILITIA.
Adit. Gen. Writes Letter to CONNER
cial Bodies in South Carolina.

Columbia, May 21.-ln an effort
to arouse more interest among the
people. and especially the business
men in the National Guard, AdJt. |
Gen. W. ". Moore has written let
ters to the chambers of commerce
and boards of trade in the State set
ting forth the reasons why the Ma
tional Guard deserves the cordial sup
port and encouragement of the peo-
pie. The adjutant general feels tnat
the cooperation of the people and the
active interest and support OF the
business men and citizens would /
stimulate the National Guard and en-
courage the officers and enlisted men
in the effrots which are now being
made 10 bring the organization to a
high State of efficiency.
The National Guard are the guar
antors of protection 10 life and prop
erty, as pointed out by Gen. Moore
in making public copies of his letter
to the commercial organizations. Just
what the National Guard means to
the people and it's importance he
stresses and he is very anxious for a
greater display of interest and more
cordial cooperation between the peo-
pie and the National Guard.
The following is copy of the let
ter of the adjutant general to the
commercial organizations of the
State:
Adjutant Generals Letter.
Secretary, Chamber of Commerce
Dear Sir: Some time ago l took
I'D with the president and secretary
of the chamber of commerce, Charles
ton. S. c., the matter of cooperation
on their part with the business men
of the city of Charleston, with the
view of impressing them with the
Importance of a greater interest IN
the National Guard Of this State, es-
pecially in their local organizations.
President Mcleod assured me that
while they had never considered this
matter seriously before, that after
hearing my views on the subject, he
rallied the great importance to the
business men of contributing every
thing in their power towards build
ing up a first-class National Guard,
and that he had resolved to bring
this matter to the attention of ne
Charleston business men, feeling sat-
isfied that good results would follow.
There is no doubt that there has been
a considerable lack of interest in the
guard on the part of the citizens gen.
orally, and especially some Of the
business men, who object to men,
bers of the guard employed by them
performing the duties that are neces-
sarily required of its membership,
especially attendance at drills and an
nual encampments.
.Now, my contention is that the
guard constitutes a police protection
to. the citizens, their lives and prop
erty. and every citizen OF this State
should contribute least his moral
support and appreciation of services
rendered by the young men who COM
pose this organization, and who are
willing at all times to perform the
duties required of them without COM
pensation or hope of reward, except
the consciousness of having faithfully
performed the duties which the State
of South Carolina expects of them.
Now, I believe, that if all of those
who constitute the business end of
the city, such as the president, secre-
tary and members of the chamber OF !
commerce, will take this matter up
with the business men of their towns
and cities, there is no question but
what a wonderful feeling of interest
can be awakened and much better
organization can be maintained in the
National Guard, if hearty coopera-
ton on the part of all of the citi-
zens can be assured, especially Of the
business men. One of the business
men of the city of Jacksonville in re-
plying to a similar inquiry, made this
comment: We firmly believe that
the militia should be encouraged and
brought up to a high state of efficien-
cy. We are also glad to assist along
this line. At present We have no en- !
ployees who are enlisted Another
business man made this statement:
Jacksonville could as we'll give up
her fire department as to allow
single one of her militia companies
to disband.' And still another: You
can depend on our doing our best to
promote the interest of the militia
These expressions clearly indicate
what Jacksonville and the State of
Florida think of their militia, and II