The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1842-10-28
STATE MILITARY CONVENTION.


II. b. RANSOM, President, Col. GEO, c. PRATT,
Secretary, and on motion of Gen. A, Cushman the
following named gentlemen were appointed a COM
mce to report business for this Convention: Capt
A. Partridge Gen. Smith, Col. Davis, It, ii. Ii.
Hammond, Col. Gleason.
On motion of Col Pratt, the following named
gentlemen were appointed committee to nominate
officers for this Convention, viz, Gen. A. Cush-
man, Gen Flint, Col. Peck.
On motion of Col Pratt, Voted, that when this
convention do adjourn, it adjourn TO meet at
this place at halt past six O'Clock this evening.
Rcsolrei That the chair be requested to notify the
President Of the Senate and Speaker ol,he House
OF Representatives, of This Conventionand through
them request the members of the Senate and
House TO attend and take part in its deliberations.
Adjourned to mlfpast six, p. NJ.
lIALTPAsT sIX.
The Convention met according TO adjournment
Gen Cushman, from the committee appointed to
present list of officers of the convention, report
ed as lolows;-"The Committee appointed to
nominate officers of this Convention, report ms
follows, -or President, Gen. Il. b. RANSOM;
for Tice Presidents, Hon w. X. RANNEY Hon,
ANDREW TRACY, Hon. SILAs H. JENNIsoN,
Gen. SMITH, GEN s. b. FLINT, Capt, ALDEN
PARTRIDGE; for Secretaries, Col. GEO. &.
PRATT, Maj, G, &. EASTMAN.
A. CUsHMAN, for Committee.
The report was accepted and the officers sever
ally elected.
Capt Partridge, from the business committee,
reported as ioows
TO the Slate military COarcation nOw sitting;
Your committee, to whom was referred the ar
rangemeut of the business of the convention,
respectfully rcccommend LIST, That this Conven-
ton request of the Legislature the repeal of
the militia law of the last session, entitled "An
act in addition to the several acts regulating and
governing the militia of this stale" End that the
Convention request also an amendment of the
militia law of 1887, by repeating the second sec
ton Of the first chapter thereof excepting so far as
it relates to persons exempted From military duty
by the laws Of the United States; and also that the
drills and reviews be held annually; and the time
Of holding the drills shall be designated by the
commandments of the several Divisions. 3D., That
each person who performs active military duty,
agrceahy TO law, shall receive a compensation in
money.
On motion of Gen Cushman the report was
ceptcd. Capt, Partridge for the purpose of taking
the sense of the convention on the subject moved
that the report be amended by striking out the last
clause After some discussion the motion of Capt.
p. was carried.
Capt. Partridge from the committee appointed
10 report preamble and resolution expressive Of
the sense of the convention reports as follows:
JPhereas the Constitution of the United States
declares that a well regulated militia is necessary 10
the security of n free State. and the ight Of the
people TO keep and bear arms shall not be lnlrng-
ed: and whereas the Constitution Of this State de-
cIarcs, that the inhabitants of this State, shall be
armed and trained, for its defence, and that stand
ing armies are dangerous to liberty; both, pro-
Ginning hereby, that the militia Is the great con-
I.,i, al hul nE Irpp
ment.
And whereas, the constitution Of this State fur
Their declares, that when amy man Is called into
the public service to the prejudice of his private
, affairs he has n right 10 n reasonable compcnsa-
ton. Nnd whereas ilucluallng and unstable lcgls-
latpn in regard TO The militia Ms well as Other de-
parimcnls, is destructive of good government, and
ruinous to tile best interest ola poop and where
as the militia laws Of this state have for many
years past, been not only subjected to almost an
, nuai alteration aud change; but, amid all these
notifications, and changes they have uniformly
borne uncqually aud oppresslyey, upon our peo-
lpe, by exempilng some from military duty, and
requiring it of DINERS without compensation; and
by substantially imposing excessive and ruinons
r expenses upon all those called TO discharge the
duty Of its olliccrs--TherelOrc,
Rcsolrcd, Tha, it is the duty Of all good cii-
zens-all advocates of free governmental low
ers of the venera,ed institutions we nave received
from our political fathers, to establish encourage
and maintain the militia, Us the great constitutions,
foundation and support of tile rights, liberty and
. happiness Of this people.
Resoired. lhat lew OF il,e m'nons winch are
annually squandered by The General Government
for individual and local Interests, should be APP
propriated for the permanent good of the militia,
and thereby me dement, OF the whole people,
r Resoired, That The Legislature oil ll's state
should call on lie GENERAL 10