Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-10-28
THE VANGUARD


(The following observations and con-
illusions anent the National Army were
penned by Colonel Jennings c. Wise
while he was on duty In Texas. Since
his transfer to Camp Loo he has found.
he says. no reason to change his
opinion.)
1t is not my purpose to draw a COM
parison between the volunteer and the
soldier of tho National Army who has
been selected for service by draft. No
one will BIO SO foolish as to contend
that tho average volunteer Is not more
forward in his desire for military SER
vice. moro willing to risk his life in
battle, moro enthusiastic soldier, than
the average drafted man. But II is q
grave mistake to conclude that the lat
ter will prove unwilling as soldier
when once the obligation Of service
has been imposed upon him, or that he
VIII prove less faithful and efficient In
the discharge Of his military duties be-
cause reluctant to become soldier.
My conclusions are based on the most
careful observation OF tho first con-
tingent Of the National Army to Join
the colors. 1 see no reason to believe
that the data pertaining to that con-
tinsent will not be typical Of the whole
first draft. or that the economic and
social conditions in other parts Of the
country will render the conclusions
based on data obtained in one section
generally inapplicable and inaccurate.
ARMY is VANGUARD
OF OUR DEMOCRACY
1t Is proper in one sense to speak
OF the first contingent OF the National
Army Of the United States as the van
guard OF our democracy. These men
have not volunteered as soldiers.
There is nothing superfcialIy romantic
j about the way they have Joined the
iEcolors. Actuated by no spirit of ad-
tFenture, they have answered a stcrner
fsummons than that of q recruiting SER
4 geant. or stirring poster. They have
I joined the colors for one single pur
lpose-to fulfill tho obligation OF
I citizenship that rested upon them. But
even II they did not volunteer, is IL
proper to hold them less patriotic. less
determined to do their duty by the ma
ton. than those who were able to rush
into the ranks with less delfberntion
ana less consideration Of the consc-
aucnces? I think not.
In the ranks OF the National Guard
and regular army there arc many mon
to-day who do not belong there-many
whose enthusiasm for military service
or whose fcrvid patriotism beclouded
thelr Judgment-many men for whom II
WAS huch easier to volunteer than to
remain in the ranks Of civil life T,
the National Army there are none who
nave been swept from their feet into
the military ranks. none who do NOT
nelonE there. none for whom II would
not have been easier to remain at home
'han TO go. One only need see them
"a fhaSy
as tney quietly assume their military
duties to appreciate all this, and, in
DEED, as 1 watched this first contin
gent deliver themselves over to tho
military authorities. 1 could SEQ i'm the
silent dignity of the act somethipp
grander and even more tnspirinr th,n
the emotional enthusiasm OF the yoIun
| teer.
There Is widespread tendency "a
REFER 10 these citizen soldiers as con-
scripts. Let us taboo and forget tho
hated, un-American md. above all In
| appropriate word, however correct n
may be in a technical sense. If those
men are conscripts. they were the can
'"'hS OF their own fate. for 1t was tho
noA Popuii that called them to arms
personally. think 1t just as incorrect
10 speak or them as conscripts as r. Z.
10 speak OF our citizens az subjects OF
our government. Let us hear no NOR.
or conscripts.
TENDENCY TO DWELL,
ON UNWILLING SPIRIT
mere has also been n tendency m
o"eil on the unwilling spirit with
whlch the men selected for the Ma
t'ohal Army would respond to tho
"rait' nave heard 1T declared in ALL
seriousness that their bad spirit would
constitute n serious problem. Time will
prove believe, that never was there
greater mistake. This very common
error Is que to confusion in tho pop-
"iar nina between reluctance on the
part or these men to abandon their
ciVll pursuits and unwillineness 70
serve as soldiers when selected nv
draft. There is q marked distinction
between the two. Save me from RI.
man who is driven into fight! I'm
less l misinterpret the signs. these
men. however reluctantly they became
soldiers, are going to make the tough.
est fighting men that this republic
ever put into the field
watched them carefully as thew ar.
rived in small groups In our great
wooden city. The whole thing seemed
impressed with rather more of a civic
'""" mihtary aspect There were
no tents and flags and bugle calls
none or the "pomp and circumstance"
OF "ar-to mark their coming. Their
mission might have been to register
.neir votes IN huge temporary polling
ooo'hs--and, in fact. they are but
casting their vote for democracy-so
wholly devoid was the event OF anv
military glamour.
but about the orderly silence in
which these stern men assembled from
tar ana wide at the designated con-
centration ccntcrs there was an oni-
nous air. rortentous OF what they
would exact from the nations enemies.
do not believe that even Teuton
diplomat would fan to read that sign
Alright.
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