Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1837-05-30
MILITIA LAWS.


Sometime since we noticed the proceedings
Of mil AIRY Convention, holden pt Casrlc,or
on tue 18th Of Murch, and promi5ed 10 copy
the memorial in duo season. As thie is about
the season Of the annual "June traininr," W.
think II tie most proper time 10 present the
memorial for the consideration OF these con-
eeracd. That thorough refern, in dc militia
laws is necessary, 10 military man viii tcny;
ant dat the oaly way to obiain reform, is fol
the people 10 den,s"d IL, the history Of recent
legislation on tbs subject aLundanlly proves.
Should tho officers and soldiers sec lit to me
modllizo tie Legislature, we commend 10
lLlm the annexed form
MEMORIAL.
~ =. General .3,semJig e.C Ms STATE ! Far
meat:
The undersigned, officers and soldiers of the
I'd Bngnde aud I'd Div - OF tie pitil. OF
.hC ate Oil CriUnt, IcsptCtuny lepteseD,
That IN accordance with the views Of the
wiso founders Of tits Republic, on principles
insuring domestic tranquility, providing for the
common defence, and promoting the general
welfare OF their country, DO they consider the
Militia, eS cooperating means, the most ei-
teciua and the best ada pied 10 that end, for
tree Institutions and equal rights. That al.
'hol.h it has its defects, and for purposes Of
warfare, is inferior to regular armies, yet az
the existence of such large forces as would
snpcrcede the necessity of all other defence, is
Incompatible with tho nature OF our govern
ment and the genius OF our people, the militia
should be sustain I'd and improved, which has
50 often rendered, and is still capable Of rem
dcring important services for our safety and
prese, alton. That it is the most beneficial
n: it enables our citizens, in cases Of exigence,
without losing their civil characteristics, 10
contend with practsed armies and avert inn
pending dangers. That it supplies that dis
idaratum Of Republics, resting the defence Of
the country on the people themselves And
that they regard the opinions Of the Father O.
his country, Whoeo sentiments on all subjrcl,
are revorcd as laws, "that the devising ard cs-
tabIishiag a well regulated militia, would be q
genuine source Of legislative honor and per.
feet title 10 public eratiiud'.'
Your momoraists would respectfully ask
ifh; preeent system Of our State is tkct "wo
regulated militia, tho dcyeing and establish
ing" which has been, or ever will be "a 9enu.
inc source OF legislative honor? That il i,
not such is sufficiently ovinccd by the fact
that every "Committee on Military Af1dirs'' o.
every successive legislature, by reports in IA
vor Of repcals, omendItions, and additions
have attempted to meet the wants, supply The
Deficiencies. ana remedy the prevailing evils o
tho present system. That it is radically de-
iective is as plain as light. Not long since b,
resolution Of the General Assembly, lht
Governor of the State, Appointed a speoia
committee to revise the militia laws aud maxi
report thereof. They made report accord
insly; and all the notice then taken Of it was
The ordering the printing Of few copies, ans
which, alter repeated reference from session Il
sossion, now lies q voluminous and unheedet
document upon your table. Had that repor
been less nnperlect-had it answered the de-
eirn or the rosolutlon--had it provided a rem
cdy ioc every wrong, and met every point de-
sired we shall beg leave 10 think, from tho
disposition which The Legislature has ev9
manifested towards US, that it would sll hay,
met the same fate il already has. We wou.,
ask, what is intended to be done The def
clenclcs OF the system are confessed Its re-
vision is called for and its necessity admitted
Does the General Assembly think to effect {
remedy by repeated acts Of amendment? The,
have been trying that for the las, forty wears
Will they repeal That has been Tried iii
almost the whole efficacy and effect Of the ac
Of ~ is lost and become q dead letter.
Would they abolish the system entirely The
has also been efectually essayed until III,
voice Of an injured community sent back III
echo in a remonsrance against Invaded rights
unjust and unequal burdens, and a viVlatet
Consiituton-tho violated Constitution no
only Of our own State, but the sacred one 0
the Union For what say the Articles of Con
federation between the Slatesl Every Stat
'haH ALWAYS Keep 1gM regulated and DIscI
PLNED Militia, sufficiently crnlfd and aoeou
hsd' Has this been complied with in an,
other way than mere form? For whut doe
the coositution Itself provide? II makes i
tic duty Of Congress "to provide for organ
ling mo militia, resaping 10 The States respee
're'e tie pp9ininft Of The officers and the