The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1858-10-20

transmitting these reports, | shall take oc-
casion TO submit such remarks upon the
different subjects embraced by them as
shall seem to be required
The subject of the condition and man
agement of our railroads is one of the
very highest importance to the state, but
as 1t will come appropriately before you
by the report, which is to be made to you
by the railroad commissioner, forbcar to
comment upon it.
The militia of the state have lately re-
ceivcd more than usual public attention,
and the subject will doubtless be before
you consideration. The condition of the
militia has heretofore been deemed a mat
ter of great Importance. Our ancestors
brought with them TO this country strong
hereditary dread of standing armies, which
successive events in the parent country
continually served TO strengthen aud con.
firm. II was found that whenever such
military force was not engaged in foreign
wars, it was generally employed by the
government in expressing and attempting
to enslave the people, and this whether
paIliau ent or protector This convic
ton OF the danger OF standing armies, and
belief III the safety and efficiency of a
well regulated militia tor purposes of de
fence and protection, were established
political principles Of our revolutionary
fathers, and as sllch were Incorporated i'll
to our state constitution
Al - A
in the constant daily use of firearms Tor
their protection against savages and wild
beasts. Such arms were also required in
the pursuit of game, which often furnished
them with convenient and sometimes in.
dispensable means of subsistence. TIE
frequent attacks which were made upon
their settlements by the Indians and af
forwards by the French and ludans com.
bincd, the threatened dangers from the
expressions Of the mother country. which
Immediately followed the close of the
French war, and the actual hostilities of
the revolutionary period all stimulated
the military spirit of our ancestors, and
nude them not only checrfuly submit: to
frequent and expensive drills and musters
for their improvement III military disci-
pine, but to feel an honest and patriotic
pride in establishing and maintaining a
high character for the efficiency of their
military organization. This military spirit
continued to prevail to considerable ex-
tent until the war of 1912, during which
the militia were frequently called out and
often rendered valuable and important
service to the country. But after the
peace with England in 1915, the charac-
ter and efficiency Of the militia for par
AIDE and discipline suffered marked and
rapid decline. This apparent abatement
of military a1dor is doubtless mainly, if
not wholly 10 be attributed to the feeling
which has extensively pcrvadcd the com.
munity since that period, that all danger
from foreign invasion had ceased. that lit
lie or none was to be apprehended from
domestic violence, and that consequently
military Organization was unnecessary
and useless. Under the influence Of this
feeling, our laws, which have required our
citizens to furnish THEMSELVES with arms
and equipments, to appear with them by
companies for inspection and drill, and to
attend regimental anG other musters, have
been looked upon as imposing expensive
unnecessary burdens, and all efforts of leg.
islation for some years past, to give pop
uarity and efficiency to such laws, have
proved unavsilinC. | am net now con-
sidcring the justice and propriety Of this
feeling; but merely stating the :act of its
1xf ta.t ,.ht e., L.
overlooked in any further attempt at leg
islation on the subject. For in our repuh.
lican system, law in order to he pelma-
nert and etfectual must DC sustained, or
at least must not be condeuhed, by pub
lie sentiment.
By our present laws the militia is d.
vided into Nv, classes, denomnaicd the
enrolled and the uniformed militia. All
persons liable TO do militia duty by the
laws Of the United States and Of this
state, are 10 be annually enrolled by the
listers Of the several towns, and Il return
is 10 he made of their enrolment to the
Adjutant and Inspector General. The
enrolled militia is divided By territory in.
TO regiments, brigades and divisions, but
its members us such are not liable to drill,
muster or inspection.
The uniform militia consists of compa-
MES Of volunteers from the enrolled militia
OF which there may be one, and under Ger.
tain restrictions, two TO each regiment.
Thee companies OF volunteer militia are
required to serve eight years unless sooner
discharged; are, on proper security, to be
furnished with arms belonging to the state;
are at their own expense 10 furnish them
selves with equ pments and with uniform,
as directed by the mmander-in-chcf;
are subject TO inspection drill and muster;
and each member of such company, who
is returned uniformed and equipped and
who has performed three days military
service, is entitled to receive three dollars
annually from the state treasury
The sparscncss of our agricultural pop
ulation is unfavorable to the organization
of military companies, and it is probably
only in some Of our largest villages that
they may be expected to be formed and
supported Several companies have re.
Gently organized in the state, who met for
voluntary drill and muster at Brandon, :.
ON A. G,..rt ,,,l sononJ r.