New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-25
IN DEFENCE OF THE GUARD
Its Patriotism and Ability TO Serve Its
Country Upheld by an Officer

To the Editor Of Tho Tribune.
Sir: There arc psrlous times for Va
tional Guardsman 20 talk, but would IKE
word with you.
cannot agree with those VINO say the
Guard is all but dead. The spirit still exists
which has existed for many years, the same
spirit which has led men in civilian lie &c
give time and effort to becoming proficient IN
tie military art without thought OF recon
rense save the fun Of the game and knowi-
edge Of duty we'll done That the govern
ncnt recognizes that the laborer is worthy OF
his hire and given pay does not necessarily
kill that spirit.
The men who went 20 the border have had
no easy task and they may feel that an IN
Justice has been done them. but they went
and went willingly; they were the best the
country had 20 offer. When the question OF
liberalization came up they favored it as a
step in the right direction. If that step was
not far enough thoy will be the ones to wei
come any further steps. II universal service
or universal training comes they Will welcome
il. for il means a sharing OF the burden they
have carried for 80 many years. II means
that the men with military training will
either be exempt, as having done their Bit or
that they will have the rank due their eth
cheney and a claim to recognition.
They would not claim undue reward nor
refuse to see that men giving all their time
as the regular establishment, have in the ma
turc Of things better training through the op-
rortunlty. Just as they are steps ahead OF the
civilian without any training. There will be
q Guard until some change is made in the
law; it is the present expression Of the pstri
otic and military spirit mot militarlsm
please.
Some men like to 80 TO summer camps, such
as Plattsburg, and take their training IN
lump Others take IT IN weekly doses ana
think they digest 1t better
Statements have recently been made In the
newspapers and elsewhere agreeing with let
tors sent to you before BY me that the Guard
is training school for officers and ought to
be. Especially is this true in the Coast Art'l-
lcry. where special work is required covering
too much time to make it possible for the
present trimming camp to complete it without
an immense amount Of supplementary read
ing and study.
That officers can DC made | have proven in
my own company. where men are forging
ahead according 10 their ability, previous
trimming and education, getting ratings and
commissions, passing examinations prepared
by the War Department and obtaining expert
ence at the guns invaluable TO them and 10
the country in time Of stress. They auto
maticaly obtain a standing with the War De
partment and are at least upon par with the
men who study from the book and pass ex-
aminations for reserve commissions without
such training in fnct, most Of them can and
think many are taking those examinations
I differ with those who say that men Will
rot recruit. I am getting them steadily dc
spite the uncertainty OF the future. ] can put
my finger on forty when we change our loca-
ton 70 the new armory, and have no fear
for trained men if called TO active duty, men
who have done their trick or have been called
away by the cxigences Of civil occupation.
That this promotion is proven fact will
be glad 70 show men who are willing TO in
vostigate for themselves. They must be will
ing 70 put on the uniform, rub elbows with
fellow Americans and take orders as they
would expect others 10 take orders from
them but they would at least have the salts
faction Of knowing that they were playing the
game under the rules Of to-day; that when
the rules were changed they would have had
valuable experience and were TO that extent
up the ladder. CAPTAIN {. A. C.,
26th Company. Ninety-fourth Street and
Park Avenue.
NeU York Dec II 1916.