Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1842-11-04

MILITARY CONVENTION At GRAFTON
At Military Convention holden at G rac
ton, Sept. 2lst, 1912, Col. Stephen Dudley
was called to the chair and w. w. Williams
was elected Secretary. A committee of five
was chosen to take the subject of the mill
TIA INTO consideration aud report at another
meeting The meeting then adjourned TO
meet at one O'Clock the next day.
September 22d. The Convention met
pursuant to adjournment. The committee
reported the following preamble aud resolu-
tons, which were unanimously adopted
Whereas the Constitution of the United
States declares that "a well regulated mill
TIA is necessary 10 the security of free
state, and the rights of the people 10 keen
and bear arms shall not be inlrnged." And
whereas the constitution of this State de-
cares that 'the inhabitants of this State
shall be armed and trained for its defence :"
aud that standing armies in time Of peace
are dangerous to liberty"-both proclaim
ing thereby that the militia is the great con-
sttutonal bulwark aud security OF free
government. Aud whereas the constitution
of this State further deIares, that "wen any
man IS called into the public service. to The
prejudice OF his private affairs, he has
right TO reasonable compensation" And
whereas iluctuaiing and unstable legisla-
lion, IN relation 20 the militia, as well as
other departments, is destructive &c good
government aud ruinous to the hest inter-
esls OF people. And whereas the laws of
tins State have, Tor many many ,~..... r-...,
been not only subject TO almost annual alter
alton and change, but amid all these modii-
cations and changes they have uniformly
borne unequally and oppressively upon our
people,-by exemptlng some, and requiring
duties Of others without compensation, aud
substantially imposing excessive aud ruinous
expenses upon all those called 10 discharge
the duties Of its Offices. ......
Therefore, Resolved. That it is the duty
of all good citizens, all advocates of free
government, all lovers Of the venerated in
situations VIC have received from our poIiti-
cal fathers, TO establish, encourage and main
tain the militia as the great constitutional
foundation and support of the right, liber-
ties and happiness of this people.
Resolved, That laws exempting particular
persons and classes of citizens from military
duty, while it imposes its burthens and hard
ships upon others, is unequal, unjust and
oppressive, and should be abolished.
Resolved, That the Legislature OF this
State has 10 constitutional right to call one
of citizens into the public service 10 the
prejudice Of bis private affairs without al
lowing him reasonable compensation.
Resolved, That the practice of annually
tinkering the militia law is ruinous to the
best interest of that department of our gov
eminent and ought to be abolished that
disorder, anarchy, misunderstanding aud
disgust are It's consequences.
Resolved, That we consider the present
militia system Of this State to be in direct
violation OF its constitution aud also in oppo-
sition to the express sentiments of the con-
stitution of the United States, and is not on
lly unequal in its acquisitions upon the citi-
zens, but oppressive g. unjust nihe extreme,
and unworthy place in the statutes of a free
State.
Resolved, That we consider il to be our
duty to rise and assert our rights and to de.
clare our entire adherence of system
which hlches from the hardy yeomanry The
fruit of their labor, without any equivalent
to protect the rights and property of tn,
rich. m
Resolved, That we have great respect fol
the currency called honor, with which III,
Legislature of this State has generally pait
off the militia, and we will be perfectly salts
, fed with it still, provided that honorable
body aud the other equally honorable co-or
dinate department of the government vii
take their pay in the same coin.
, Resolved, That the militia system is
necessary feature in all constitutional gov
eminent without which the whole fabric fall
: to the ground; and therefore, every ind
: vidual who opposes this feature is conse
S qucutly opposing one Of the main pillars O
1 constitutional liberty.
, Resolved, That unless the Legislature o
this State at its coming session, shall pas
laws in accordance with the constitutions
e principles which we have here expressed, w
r hereby mutually pledge ourselves each u
' the other, that at the coming election W
Y will carry this question to the ballot box.
: Resolved That it be the duty of the com
$ mandants of each company in this regimen
: to present and procure as many signers Il
the memorial as possible.
G Resolved, That the proceedings of thi
e meeting be signed by the chairman and sec
rotary, and that the several papers in tn
: county be respectfully requested to pubis
the same. .HIl.. f..
STEPHEN DUDLEY, Chairman.
r w. w. WILLIAMS, Secretary, ..i..
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b Coiored Persons in OhiO-An importan