New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-06-26
THOSE WHO MARCH"
The Patriotic Youth of the Couptry-ln
1861 and 1916.
To tho Editor Of The Tribune.

To the Editor Of The Tribune ;.
Sir: I wish 10 thank you for your eo'-
torial in Yesterdays Tribune, entitled, InoSe
Who March" The cartoon on the same paee
The Man of the Hours equally 10 ','e
point. The only spectator in the latter "no
is really in touch with the situation IS inv
newsbov-God bless himl-who touches MS
can to the hurrying guardsman. | am no'
afraid of such silly songs e. i pid nv
Raise Ny Boy To Be Soldier. Inc YOU"
Of the country will always be found patrloue'
It's only when men and women have De-
come money-lovers and pleasure-lovers-a
this crowd in the cartoon seem 10 pe-'"''
they become callous to the call OF duty 10
their country. Perhaps the cartoon does III
iustice 10 the average crowd. for there was
no lack of interest or enthusiasm when the
Goth went away There is usually plenty OF
enthusiasm at such a time. but II needs 10
be translated into deeds in the after time.
II is a proper mental attitude that is need
cd. Who should defend our country wheh
il needs defence? Seeing we can't all 90
II. there must be some process OF selectloh'
as well as the necessary preparation. "he'e
there is no compulsory military service inc
matter il left to adjust itself, the same as
the division Of labor in civil pursuits. Men
enter these different pursuits according 70
their tastes and according TO the rewards
they offer for service. When the service Is
q public servce-as in the case of policemen
and fremen-we make the service attractive
enough to secure the required number OF
men. The defence of the country u.s. now
ever. left largely TO individual taste; IN shor''
TO love n country. We assume that there
will always be enough young and lusty
youths who will volunteer to defend our I'D
critics and our property. Well, think there
will be. but that does not lessen our obliga-
ton in the matter; it only makes II the
stronger, and something of what we all owe
70 country becomes debt 10 these volunteer
defenders.
In a matter involving so much on both
sides-so much to be defended and the haz-
ard of doing 1.-THE only logical solution
seems to me TO be some system Of compui-
sorry service which would place the burden
upon all. II need not run into mlitarlsm.
Indeed that is the remotest danger 20 when
the country is exposed. Our theories OF
government and of society, are all dead
against the spirit out OF which mlltarlsm
grows and upon which it thrives. 4 years
training in the army or navy would do most
Of our young men good physically, mentally
and as citizens of the Republic. don't think
they would DO less Of other work in life; IN
other words, the efficiency of the nation
would be greater if every man gave year
to its service.
What your editorial says about the civil
War veterans touched me in a tender spot
caused lump in my throat and mist IN
my eyes 1t is fifty-two years in August since
I marched away with a thousand comrades to
help save the Union, and we were present
what was left of us-at Appomauox. AT
on June 5, 1865, we numbered
30 OF course that does not mean that all
the rest were dead. The killed and died OF
wounds were 159; died of disease, liz; dis
charged for disability, l59; transferred and
resigned, 81; dismissed and deserted, 90;
mustered out from hospital, 100. This is a
record Of the original members only, OF the
10th New York Infantr. Volunteers, after
ward the sth New York Heavy Artillery. | do
not anticipate any such long service for the
guardsmen who are now the men of the
hour. but they are actuated by the same love
of country and the same devotion to duty
that filed the hearts of the volunteers OF
1876. JAMES VI. HUDNUT.
New York, June %, 1916.