Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1855-02-08

public plunderers, usually strike at highe
game; they strike for richer prize than the
paltry consideration of quarter section of
public land I dismiss this objection as of
very little weight
Mr. President, | was exceedingly grat6ed,
when this bill was last under consideration
the other day, to hear the distinguished Sena-
tor from Michigan, (Mr. CAss) award the
tribute of his high communication to the con-
duct Of the Vermont militia, during the war
Of 1872. can assure the honorable Sena-
tor that this commentator will be as highly
appreciated as it is well deserved. 1t is true,
as was stated by the honorable Senator on
that occasion, that the Governor Of Vermont,
in November, 1913, issued proclamation Or
dering the immediate return to the State of
certain brigade of militia who had previously
passed over to the opposite side of the lake,
into the State of New York, where an inya-
sion Of the enemy from Canada was daily APP
pretended, and directing them to hold them
selves in readiness to receive the orderers of
the State autho tiles, and to protect and de-
fend the exposed frontiers Of our own State
Lake Champlain was also, at that time in
possession Of the British fleet, our own not
having been fitted out until the following
spring. Its borders were exposed to attack
and, in fact, two or three hostile demonstra-
lions had already been made upon the Ver-
mont side. 1t is true, also, that that brigade
tof volunteer militia refused to obey that sum-
mons Since references has been made TO that
proclamation, and it has often been made the
: subject Of severe animadyersion, it is but right
and Just ihat should read il to the Senate,
1 in order that the reasons assigned by the Gov
crnor himself may by The, more fully under
stood, and his motives the more fully appreciate
, BY his Excellency Martin Chittcnden, ESQ,
: Governor, Captain General, and Commander
: in-Chief lii and over the State of Vermont.
} PROCLAMATION.
3 Whereas it appears that the third bridgade of
the third division of militia of this State has
been ordered lrsm our frontiers to the defence
of neighboring State; and, whereas, it fur.
thcr appears, to the extreme regret OF the Cap
tain General, that part of the lnlitia of said
brigade have been placed under the command,
o and at the disposal Of an officer OF the United
State, out of the Jurisdiction or control Of the
n Executive Of this State, and have actually
d marched to the defence of sister State, fully
9 competent to all the purposes of self-delence,
. whereby an extensive section Of our own from
tier, is left, in measure, unprotected, and the
peaceabe, good citizens thereof are put in great
jeopardy, and exposed to the retaliatory incur
sions and ravages OF an exasperated enemy and
u where $, disturbance of IL very serious nature
i are believed to exist, in consequence Of u por-
f ton of the militia having been thus ordered out
;. Of the State Therefore, to the end that these
G great evil may be provided against, and, as fal
j us may be, prevented for the future
y Be it known, that such portion of the mill
y tia of said third division as may be now doing
n duty in the State of New York, or elsewhere
j. beyond the limits Of this State, both officers and
y men, are hereby ordered and directed, by thl
f Captain General and Commander-in- Chief O
4 the militia of the State of Vermont, forthwith
= to return to the respective places of their usua
residence, within the territorial limits of sale
= brigade, and there to hold themselves in constant
n readiness to act in obedience to the orders O
l. Brigadier General Jacob Davis, who is appon
u ted, by the Legislature of this State, to thu
a command of said brigade.
RI anu VIC ottlu OEiS.tdlCl NEuCluA cdCuD bbNH
y is hereby ordered and directed, forthwith, te
y see that the militia of his said brigade be com
y, rletely armed and equipped, as the law directs
e and held in constant readiness to march, on the
l. shortest notice, to the defense of the frontiers
s. and, in case of actual invasion, without further
IT orders, to march with his said brigade, to act
either in cooperation with the troops of tn,
hUnis d States, or separately, as Circumstances
- may require, in rcpelling the enemy from ou
10 territory, and in protecting the good citizens
70 this State from the ravages of hostile incursions
4 And in case of an event 50 seriously to be de
1t precated, it is hoped and expected that ever,
to citizen without dstiction Of party, will fly a
= once to the nearest post of danger, and that thu
"a only rallying word be sour country
Feeling, as the Captain General does. til
10 weight of responsibility which rests upon him
N with regard to the constitutional duties of tn
y militia, and the sacred rights of our citizens t
ut protection from this great class Of the conmu
nifty, so essentially necessary all free countries
1t at moment, too, when they are so eminent
# exposed to the dangers of hostile incursons an
= domestic difficulties, he cannot conscientious
y discharge the trust reposcd in him by the vote
he Of his fellow-citzens and by the Constitution
y Of this State and the United States, without al
IS unequivocal declaration, that, in his opinion
e. the military strength and resources of this Stat
4 must be reserved for its own defence and pro
ii lection, exclusively, excepting in cases provide
~ for by the Constitution of the United States
~ and then, under orders derived only from til
y COMMANDMENT Chief.
D. Given under my hand, in Montpelier, the lot
D. day Of November, in the year of our Lord, 1913
e. and OF the Independence of the United State
il. the thirty-eighth. MARTIN CHIrTENDEN.
y That brigade company published an answe
-. to this proclamation. That answer is so char
~ acteristic of the spirit and illustrates the val
!, or, the determination. the "real grit" if ma
~ ~ so say, Of these volunteer defenders of tn
np country, that the Senate will pardon me fo
~ ~ reading it in this connection -
ANSWER TO GOVERNOR CHITTNDEN's PRocLl
o. NATION.
90 To his Encellency, MARTIN CurrENDEN, ESQ
=. Governor, Captain General, Commandment
%" Chief in and Deer the State of Vermont:
u SIR; A most novel and extraordinary procl;
GU nation from your Excellency BORDERING and
he recting such portion Of the militia Of the thir
e. brigade in the third division of the militia {
ID Vermont, now doing duty in the State Of Ne
in York, both officers and men, forthwith to retur
10 to the respective places Of their usual residence,
W has just been communicated to the undesigno,
oi- officers 81 said brigade. A measures so une
*, ampled requires that we should state to 70,
ed Excellcncy the reasons which induce US, abs
,y utely and positively, to refuse obedience to IL
Ike orrer contained in your Excellency's proclam
"a nation. With due reference to your Excellel
oy's opinion we humbly conceive that when v
are ordered into the service of the United State
40, it becomes our duty, when required, to marc
ed to the defense of any section of the Union. W
aid are not Of that class who believe that our dute
ng as citizens or soldiers, are cjreumscrbed With
H. the narrow limits of the town or State in whic
ra- we resioe' puS tha' we are uhuer paramoai
il obligation to our common country, to the sre'