The Gavelyte, March 1907

'!'Im GA VJi)LYTFl, ational Guardsmen. The interesting mound builder's works at Newark, O., and the beautiful hills of Tuscarawas and Athens countie~ :ire all fa– miliar to the citizen soldier of Ohio. Each years camp takes the Guards– man to some new locality and each trip furnishes its quuta of instruction. In military training, the National Guardsman often receives a broad – er education than his comrade in the regular service. The great maneu– ve.r camp, held every other year in different parts of the country and par– ticipated in by the National Guc1rc of the various states, gives the soldier invaluable training in strategy while the Regimental camp held the other years give him the minor details of the soldier's life. And to the indivi– duar, the lassons in obedience and faithfulness are of even greater benefit. Close observation and ability to take care of one's self are prerequisites of a good soldier. - Self command and the ability to command others soon come to be not the least of the soldier's virtues. In the third place it may be taken as an axiom that a man's patriotism i;; a sure indication of his value as a citizen. History shows all too plainly that the roost important requirement of the true citizen is his ability to serve his country in the time of her greateat need - namely the time of war. Where would have been the glorious civilization of Greece had it not been for the trained soldier of the phalanx? The spirit of freedom would have been drowned in Oriental Despotism. Marius, the "Savior of Rome", built with Roman arms the rampart that held back the Teutonic hordes and permitted Italy to civilize the world. Our own independence was won by the ability of the Continental to shoot straight, a virtue taught in many Indian wars. The people who decry the :National Guard are becoming fewer and fewer in number as the months pass by. This is well and also reasonable for now under the national law known as the "Disk bill," every able bodied male cititizen between the ages of 18 and 45 years of age shall constitute the militia of the United States. He is liable to ba calleri on at any time for any length of service. Any member of the militia, however, may signify to the military, authorities; his desire to enlist for a definite term and after passing the required examinations, may become a member of the ational Reserve army popularly known as the ational Guard. Bis en– listmant term runs for three years and he is excused from jury service.