national guard

1. In this country the National Guard consists of that portion of the militia reserve of the Nation that are enlisted in the service of the different states for a term of years, and have been armed and equipped by the general government. The method of recruiting is entirely voluntary, and the number of men enlisted and uniformed is about 125,000. These troops are ordinarily under command of the governors of their respective states, and have in more instances than one shown themselves a powerful adjunct to the civil authorities in quelling insurrection and enforcing order. The entire militia reserve of the Union numbers about 10.000, 000, but the name National Guard is applied only to that portion of the reserve in actual enlistment. 2. In France an armed organization of the inhabitants of towns and districts for local defense. nă-tion-al-ism, s. [Eng. national ; -ism .] 1. The quality or state of being national; nationality. 2. An idiom, phrase, or manner of speech peculiar to a nation; a national trait or character. 3. The political programme of the Irish Nationalists (q. v.). 4. Adherence to or support of the objects of the Nationalists.