Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1837-10-16
IGOR ihe Malchman and journal.

II seems to be very generally conceded That
n military establishment OF some character IL
necessary adjunct TO sovereignty Inc ohiy
opponents of all military systems are those,
whose interested motives are apporentlfo the
corpulence Of their bodies and the size oil thcir
dinners-those whose lozincss would prompt
them even to iorogo eating, were 1t not thatih
charms of their darling propensity overcome
the sluggishness Of their souls. The slrciness
of discipline is generally proporloncd TO The
despoism of the government, Hence kePuD-
lies have, in all ages, been more expos. d 10
foreign aggression than other states, ana tnur
subvcrsion and annhaton may be traced 10
the progress among them OF the arts oil peace
and the lovp of ease. While the mind oil man
is organized as it is at present, aud thu casing
amount Of ambition and depravity remain UNI
altered, the rights of nations can only be mdin-
tanned by the strong hand, and the sword must
share with the plough the honors OF society.
TO adopt, in this country, the views Of those
who call themselves the advocates oil Peaee,
and 10 throw ourselves upon the honor oil tor-
eign nations, trusting that the savage maShi-
nlmity, which forbids even brute 10 assam
non resisting foe, may prove our Safeguard
would be 10 expose ourselves as prey ior INC
stron gost and, by throwing down bone LOT
contention, to set all Europe by the ears Our |
! only sufciy is in our strength While our ma
! inspire among foreign nations some concep-
ton of our physical ability, we must be pre-
pared at home TO carry out the demonstration
/ and, by our readiness 10 protect ourselves ana
punish aggression, compel those 10 respect our
power who despse our principles, ana woulo
gladly destroy our institutions.
We are opposed, and justly, TO standing ar
mics. The independent spirit OF true deinoc-
racy cannot bear that the sword OF the nation
LII. T. L. k,tt hu mi n
the purse. Yet, if we would prevent the ne
cessity Of a regularly organized army, we must
adopt efficient measures for discipllnlnS ana
instructng our militia. The bone and muscle
of the land must be made 10 feel Their Strength
and realize the force which uniform movements
and combined efforts give TO any body oil men,
To accomplish this, our military law must not
be regarded as blot upon our Statute BOOK,
our companies must be made respectable by
the enlistment oil respectable men; our officers
must not feel, when they accept their commits
sion, that they are placing themselves III sit.
uation where expense is repaid by rdcule, and
conscientious discharge oil duty, by over whem-
ing unpopulanty.
The present Militia Law Of this State Is
most inefficient, unjust, and oppressive. II Is
inefficient, for it fails 10 accomplish any one
of the objects for which such law Is enacted.
Instead OF causing the organization OF well DIS
]
gusts every one with military service and dem.
onstrates most forcibly the cob-web nature Of
legal enactments which bind and coerce the
o poor, while the wasps and bees OF community
Q laugh lis penalties 10 scorn. IL IS most Unjust
and oppressive; for, contrary TO the tnndamen-
tai principle Of all laws, the tax which tlmposes
is most unequal and bundensome, and, instead
of being borne by those who are 10 be most
: benefited by its operations, is entaied manly
! a ,la in m
. have least 10 fear from any convulslon which
: may call for military aid. The protection oil
the property and liberties Of the State are It's
avowed objects. Yet the very class Of men 10
, whom look for such protection is mainly
: composed of those who have least at stake
;, and many of whom would even loose the rgh
). of suffrage If any amount OF property were
made test.
J. Many Of its exemptions are slaringly absurd
The manufacturer, who earns from one 10 three
n dollars day. is exempt from duty, while thu
abourer, whose very subsistence depends upor
u the earnings of his daily toll is compelled eacl
o year TO sacrifice his time. The miller does n,
\, military duty, while the blacksmith, whose ser
"a vices may be eqnally necessary on militar.
~ days, must leave his forge and shoulder hi
fire!ock. The blower Of furnace may so plai
his work as TO be engaged an hour upon tina
ID day, and gain the rest for play, while the car
. pentcr, the cabine-maker, the artizans Of ever
u class, must shut their shops ana 60 out
oil source Of rdcule to the very men, The land
holders and the wealthy, whose property the
-. are expected 10 protect from foreign enemies
or domestic Instruction.
n Truly our Legislators have looked out we
IT. for themselves. They do no military duty
n. they are not compelled TO toll through the due
!, Of June, or the mud Of September, sweain
u under the load of sket,-they are not com
PEELED to work off their ponderous dinners o
y. the parade, treading in close file after the me
d. notonous music Of drum and fife: and whe
- military men call for military reform, whe
's. they ask, that, if they must do duty, they ma
p- do it 10 some purpose their petitions are snee
ed at, their requests refused, their Bills fun
under The table, or pushed along from sessio
81 TO session, as though undeservipg the conside
alton of the dgnfed members of Vernon
te- Legislature.
:. Let such men beware how they compel II
W. remedy of the Ballot Box to be applied Tor Ii
correction OF such abuses Let them remen
Der that troublesome minority, at least, Of Il
voters OF this State have suffered under the il
oa Fiction Of a most calling and injurious Law
~ until they have begun 10 grow FESTIVE, and thu
on if their complaints be not coon needed, the
So riders may be thrown. T.
For the Waterman s. Journal.
.Nessrs. WaltonS;