The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1842-07-29

Military Convention.

An adjourned Military Convention first organised
in August 1888. was held in Norwich, Vermont,
on the 18th of July instant. General Udal being
absent the convention was called to order by Capt
A. Partridge--When on motion, Capt. r, Spragne u
patriot of therevoiuion was appointed President.
CaptSpr aguc having taken the chair, the fol-
lowing resolutions introduced by Capt A. Part
ridge, were moved and adopted,
l. Resolved, That committee of three be ap-
pointed to report 10 this convention resolutions for
the consideration Of the same on the subject of the
militia as Naiioaal force
2. Resolved that committee Of three be ap-
pointed report to this convention resolutions for
the consideration of the same, on the subject of the
Militia as a State force.
The convention then proceeded to the selection
Of the Committees contemplated in the foregoing
resolutions Whereupon the following gentlemen
were appointed as such committees, viz: Capt. A.
Partridge, Lieut.. A. Jackman and Capt. Lewis
Partridge as committee on the subject Of the
Militia as National force, and Judge Cobb John
Wright, esq. and Capt Perkins as a committee on
the Militia, viewed as State force
The committees then retired for consultation,
and having returned the committee on the subject
Of the Militia as National force through their
chairman, Capt. A. Partridge, reported the fol-
lowing Preamble and resolution, which after few
remarks by the convention were unanimously ad :.
opted.
Whereas no subject of greater importance can
occupy the attention Of our enlightened free and
patriotic people, than that Of .NAioaa Defence,
which involves the adoption of the best, mos, el-
hcient, mo st economical, and most constitutional
means for the preservation of their libert les aud
National lndependcnce-and whereas every coun-
try which intends to maintain its liberties and in
dependence must have an efficient Military defence
Of some kind or other-and whereas, so far as
Physical force is concerned, there are, nor can be,
bu, two kinds Of Military Defence, viz: a standing
army, or well organized, well disciplined and eff
fcient cih,en soldiey-and whereas, the whole
history of the world proves, that Standing Armies
are hostile ;o civil liberty, and engines of oppress-
ion in the hands of ,yrants-and whereas "a citizen
soldiery being portion Of tho p eople themselves,
and having, with them the same common interest,
IN sustaining the liberties and independence of,her
country. and while they oppose an impregnable
barrier to foreign aggression, are also the safes,
guardians Of the free institutions orcoun,ry: There
fore
Resolved, That Standing army, being hostile
TO civil libeIty-ought not, for momen, to be re-
lied upon BY the people Of the United States for
national defence, nor be sustained by the Govern
ment, nor the peopie--beyond small peace es-
Enlistment, to serve as a police guard, for the
protection in time of peace--of the necessary for
tificaions, and other public property, reaui,in,
such protection.
Resolved, That well organized and effie,en,
citizen sOldiery is the only safe defence of our
liberties and independence. and ought to be ably
and efficiently stained by every friend to our re-
publican institutions.
Resolved, That this convention views every i,
dividua!, whether in public or private life--who
by any means Whatever endeavors TO render nm
popular and ultimately to subvert our .,Iiiitory
System, as hostile TO free institutions cove,,l
If not avowedy, the friend of Standing army, |
and consequently of aristocracy' monarchy, an d
Despofism.
Resolved, TIiatit is the duty of Conpress To- cal
~ out into eteicn practical effect, the power
vested in them by the 18th article of the 9Th are.