The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1842-02-11
For the Spirit Of the Age.
MILITARY CONVENTION.

foT We ePHit o. He ige'
MILITARY CONVENTION.
Agreeable to the call contained in circular is
sued by Gen. Hopkins, a Military convention as
scmhled at RoyaIton on the 18Th ut., and was
temporarily organized by calling Maj, Gen. Ransom
to the chair and appointing Col, Geo. c. Pratt Sec
retary.
The above mentioned circular was then read and
on motion, the following officers appointed n COM
millee to report the business proper to be done by
the convention. viz: Gen. Cushman, Gen. Kellogg,
Col Lewis, Maj. Sweat, Lieut.. Jackman and Gen.
Ransom.
a communication was then presented TO the con-
venllon by the chairman and Secretary of Mililry
Convention held at Sheldon on the l4lh ins.as well
as several communications from individuals all Of
which us well as the subject ofthe CIRCULAR above
mentioned were referred to the business committee,
after remarks by several members, the committee
adj to meet at seven o'clock p Nj.
| The convention again assembled in the evening
aud the committee reported the following business
as proper for the cnlion, which report was ac-
cepted viz
LIST. That committee be appointed to nominate
suitable officers for the convention and Coils. Kid
der, Wharton and Pratt nnd Majors Winslow and
| Putnam, were appointed.
I'd. That committee, be appointed TO prepare
a preamble and resolutions for the consideration of
this meeting, and Maj. Sweat, Col Lewis, Capt,
Mead, Lieut.. Jackman, Gen. Cushnan and Gen,
Ransom, were appointed
3d. That Il committee be appointed TO prepare
an address to the citizens Of the State upon the
subject of the Militia and Gen. Hopkins, Gen.
Cushman, Maj Sweat Lieut.. Liley and Gen. Ran
som were accordingly appointed.
The committee on nominations reported the
names of the following Officers, as Officers Of the
Convention viz
For President, MAJ. GEN. RANSOM.
r., ~, ,...,,,. {Brig. Gen, CUsHMAN,
For P''s Presidents Brig. Ger. KELLOGG,
70, Secretaries, e Ma; G G. sw &C, Pratt
The report was accepted aud the allowed named
officers accordingly appointed,
Mai Sweat offered the following resolution
which was adopted viz
Resolved, That the business committee be in
s,ruc,ed to prepare, and Report to this convention
the outlines Ola plan for State Military associa-
ton having for its objects lhe dissemination of Mil
ary knowledge and the due elevation of the Mill
Tia. After addresses from several members, the
convention adjourned 10 meet at 9 O'Clock IN.
Oh the 10TH
The convention assembled agreeably to ndourn-
mclit ard was called to order by the President
When Gen. Cushman offered the following resolu-
lions which was adopted viz
Resolred, Tha, the President be requested 10
invite all gentlemen present who are friendly TO a
well regulated Militia 10 take part in the proceed
ngs Of this Convention.
Col. Lewis called for the reading Of the resolu-
ons adopted ut the convention orlhe officers Of the
LIST Brigade Sd Division, which was ordered and
after some discussion they were, on motion adop-
ted as the sense Of this converlion they fol-
lows viz -
Resolved, That in state like ours dependant
alone on the Militia for protection against foreign
forces, and internal connections bordering on n
country hostile to our civil institutions and Repub-
lican form Of Government, it becomes every
citizen to put forth a powerful effort to csiab-
fish well organized and well dicipned Mill
tin.
3D. Rcsolrei, That we view the present code of
laws governing the Militia Of this state, unwise,
unjust, and unequal, and that i, is impossible TO
have a well organized Militia under the same.
3D.. Resolred, That in view Of the necessity Of
having system Of governing the militia Of this
State and Laws TO enforce it, our Legislators have
been too amiss in their duty. Bills have been in
lroduced into our Legislative halls without being
investigated and passed without even reading.
4,h. Resolred. That under the present system
it is useless to call out company IN this state, and
unless better system is adopted we recommend
and advise every commissioned officer TO resign his
commission and return them TO the Governor Of the
State.
9th. Resolved That whereas every etlortto form a
proper code of Laws 10 regulate and govern the
Militia Of the State Of Vermont has failed, and as
it seems TO us impossible TO excite or arouse Mil
i,ary Spirit under the acts Of our Legislators, and
that we heartily concur in the plan proposed TO be
laS before convention called at Royaon on the
18th Of Jan. inst.
9Th. Resolred, That we rally around the Camp
Color proposed to be erected at Royaon on the
18th instand that we tender the hearty support and
co operation of the first Brigade and second Dvs-
sion of the Vermont Militia.
9TH. Resolrc9, That the proceedings of this con-
vcn.on be signed by the Chairman and Secretary,
and copy transmitted to the convention at Roy
alton on the 18th Of JAM nstand also published in
the Franklin Messenger and Vermont Republi-
can.
The Convention, then adjourned TO meet at 8
o'clock =, NJ. at which time it again assembled
and was called to order by the President. The
Committee on resolutions then reported the follow
Ing Preamble and resolutions which were read and
adopted wiz
PREAMBLE.
Whereas the Constitution of the United States,
expressly declares II well regulated Militia neces.
sary to the security of free State, and right Of
, the people to keep, and bear arms, shall not he
niringcd,' and'whereas one Of the leading objects
Of forming said constitution was to provide for the
common defence which common defence it de-
cares to be vested in the great body the people, 81
whereas the said instrument also vests tho power