Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1837-10-26
[Fw,n the Pro yidence Journal.
TIE MILITIA.

This is subject upon which there has, for
u long time, existed an incorrect feeling
The Militia Syster has been too long re.
gardrd only with ridicnle; the duties imposed
by il, have hcen performed reluctantly and
imperiectly; and all who could, by any means
wholly evade them, have done so. and public
opinion has been so long against the whole
system, that 1t has, IN great degree, lost its
respectabi!ity and its usefulness. Such was
not the case in the earlier days Of the Re-
public; the militia was then regarded as "the
rsgi't arm Of our National Defence" and lis
duties were chcerfnl'y performed to presor
The advantage without mourning the danger
OF II standing army. Its officers were chosen
fr0in amongst those who had seen years Of
actual service in the War Of Independence,
and its ranks were filed with all classes OF
citizens, who considered themselves as per-
forming on honorable service to their Coun-
try.
We have noticed, with much satisfaction,
revival Of portloa Of this spirit. The ex-
ccutivc of Massachusetts, has exertcd herself,
with good success, To elevate the character
of the militia in that State. In the Southern
States more attention has always 5ecn given
TO the subject the militia in South Carolina.
in particular, is in high state Of discipline.
We have been led to these remarks by the
petition to the General Assembly, FROM the
chartered companies Of this State, to which
we gladly give place. We trust that the
application will not be made in vain.
An adjourned meeting Of delegates from
Chartered Military Companies in this State,
was holden on the evening Of the lth inst.
at the Hall ofthe U. c. II. Artillery.
Capt. WIN. Is. Cranston in the Chair:-I
hau ho cul ~ nj a.
tenn, and its influence upon the Chartered
Companies in this State, was considcrcd.-I
After which the following memorial was re-
ccived and adopted for presentation to the
citizens Of this State inr their signatures.
JAS. S. LINCOLN, Secretary.
TO the Honorable General .fssembiy Of The
State Of Rhode Island, Sc. October Session,
A. ID. 1887.
The undersigned citizens of Rhode Island
humby represent to your Ilonors, that they
view with deep regret, the present neglected
and depressed condition Of the Militia in this
State Aud feel that something should bc
done towards rcscuing the Militia System
from dissolution and abandonment And
while they feel that this important branch of
our National defence ought To be maintained,
promoted and encouraged, we beg leave to
suggest that a successful step therein might
be taken, by encouraging the enlistment of
our citizens into the Chartered Companies in
this State: :-That the expences necessarily
consequent upon the members of said Com
panies, ibeing constantly supplied with arms,
equipments, uniforms and other appendngcs.)
are great, and in addition thereto much time,
attention an labor are by them bestowed in
perfec,ing themselves ia military discipline.
md in enabling themselves to be prepared
E,r service in case Of INVASION, insurrrction.
tnmul's. riots or IN ~; And in view of the
premises, we pray your Honors that an act
may be passed for the promotion Of the en-
iistmrnt of male citizens liable by the pro-
sent laws Of this State to do military du;y.)
into the several Chartered Companies now
created or which may hereafter be created.
ny granting such members some compensa-
tion for their time expended in performing
military duty ns is done in the State of Mas
sachusetts, or in such ether wry and mnn-
ner as to your IIonors shall seem meet