Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-07-31
National Guard or Compulsory Service

National Guard or compulsory Service
MIR MOSELEY. whose communication APP
IF1 pears in another column on this page
raises Il question concerning The former Rich
mond Light Infantry Blues which might prop
criy be considered a matter OF the internal adj
ministration OF the battalion. When this his
toric infantry command volunteered for cav
AIRY service, it should have been aware
through its officers, OF the scarcity OF horses
available for military purposes, and should
therefore. have been prepared for extended
delay in obtaining mounts. not to speak of
the time required to convert it from infantry
10 cavalry in other respects.
But Mr.. Noscley's letter brings squurely TO
the front question OF far more Importance
than the disposition of one command: il vir-
tually puts in issue the whole system of the
counry's military second line OF defense the
National Guard itself. In this sentence is
brought TO trial the plan so earnestly advo-
Gated by the National Guard and by those
who believed, and believe. in it: AN injury
is being done the National Guard system every
day these men remain in camp under present
conditions; and l believe it can be safcl;
said that if the enlistment OF the entire com
mand were to expire to-day, not one out OF
ton would rc-CnliSt."
If that statement is true. then the National
Guard is failure. 1t is what it's opponents
have contended, organization OF parade
units; not the countrys sturdy second line
b"hliiu me regular army And ii that is
true. then there is only one alternative
compulsory universal military service It
is not enough to say that the Blues. or
any other command similarly placed would
Joytu!iy serve ii they sent into active
service. OF course, they would; but that
isn't Tie point. They, and every other body
OF organized militia, must serve where they
are called on TO serve. in the judgment of
the President and the War Department. Fail
a. Nut NJ C,n I'd &c
guard, but a scattered body loosely composed
OF groups Of State militia
NO one minimizcs the discomfort. the loss
and in many cases the great sacrifice made
by the men who form the National Guard ms
well as by their families and their EMPLOYERS
All honor Is due them, whether they go 10
the border or remain in mobilization camps
In either case, they arc doing their bit brayclv
and they worthy OF the colors TO which
they were called
But it must be remembered that none
pleaded more earnestly. argued more strong
~ Tor the fcderaliZod National Guard as the
couhtryS great army than did the National
Guard Many did not believe in its potential
efficiency, though no one questioned its ind-
Vdual courage. The country realized its
urgent need of military defense and the only
question was how to secure that The Ma
tlo"al Guard was fixed ON as The final buIwark
oil the nations safety, in preference 10 the
continental army and other plans. And now
the National Guard is being tested
No matter how Congress may poudnr ANA
lesislate, the final decision is in The hands of
me young men OF the United States AS
certainty as the country lasts there will he
provided an adequate secondary army of ma
honal defense. The Times Dispatch believes
the National Guard viii supply that army
win less OF cost and sacrifice and more of
satisfaction, than any other system, and so
tfaF &c.