Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-09-09

- t''iit 10 - III IL tUJlQitlDu Oh nOSb uUlOIdDtC
Increasing efficiency. well regulated and
disciplined militia force has long been regard
ded by our wisest statesmen and firnest patriots
as the right arm of Defense and as one of the
most important pillars in our national edifice
The existence of the militia supercedes the ne
cesslty for standing army and averts the dam
gers and apprehensions from that source Its
force which may be called upon in time of
war, or to aid the civil power in the execution
OF civil law, or in the preservation of the pub
lie peace and order. As said Mr. Madison,
!" an armed and trained militia is the firmest
bulwark of a republic" The sages that
framed our admirable Constitution, aware Of
the Importance of this fact, provided that Con-
gress should have power to organize, arm and
discipline the militia.
am aware that the mission of our country
is pacific one-but not defenseess one. A
spirit OF conquest, a love of dominion, is to be
deprecated, and condition of impotency and
teebleness always to be avoided Whatever the
condition of the world may be hereafter, it is
evident that the time for war to cease has not
yet come. 1t isequally manifest that the time
has not yet come when it would be wise in
State to discard the military force in maintain
ing the sovereignty of civil government. Ma
tlons still, as said Mr.. Jefferson, g feel power
and forget right" The necessity of military
force is to be deplored.
need not attempt to vindicate the propriety
and necessity of well-regulated Militia.
Your appearance here to-day admonishes me
that the convictions well settled in your hearts,
and this assemblage of intelligent citizens who
have honored us with their presence gives ev-
idence of their appreciation of this fact. The
people af Vermont will value and appreciate a
military force so long as its members exhibit the
true characteristics of the citizen soldier and
the soldicrly citizen. And now, gentlemen,
officers and soldiers, permit me to say-not in
tattery, but in sincerity-that you exhibit
nobeness of spirit truly honorable. Your vol
untary expenditure of time and money evinces
recognition of the claims of society upon the
individual. In my view, thcmost serious source
OF evil to our county is sordid, selfish spirit.
Many are disposed to withdraw themselves from
the proper field of action and live in their own
thoughts and private pursuits, indifferent to tho
interests of society, and regardless of the pub
lie welfare. Do we owe no duties to society
Shall we receive the thousand benefits it be-
slows without making any return? Shall we
enjoy the blessings Of it's institutions, and re-
fuse to prepare ourselves to rally round those
institutions when in danger? Shame on such
base ingratitude-suc dastardly selfshncss.
This is an interesting occasion, adapted as it
is to remind us of what has been achieved for
our beloved country on the tented field; to re-
mind us of the services the sacrifices and suffer-
ings of those gallant men who loved the flag Of
their country and scaled our independence with
their blood, 1t naturally directs the mind to
those striking passages in our history that are
calculated to awaken our gratitude and our
patriotism. 1t carries us back to other days
of awful peril to our country. 1t callsup, as it
were. from the bed of death, those who bed in
the sacred cause of freedom. They seem on
such an occasion to gather round us, and abjure
us not to think lightly of that birthright which
they purchased with their precious lives We
are reminded of the part assigned to us in the
drama of human affairs that to us is commit
ted an invaluable legacy that we are made the
Repositories Of sacred trust and that we
should at all times be prepared to execute that
trust faithfully and efficiently. In my judg-
ment, no finer body of the same number of
young men can be found in the wide world than
the volunteer citizen soldiery of Vermont.
Such men the country needs. We want no
half.madc meu-no babies in mems garments,
but men who can stand alone, and meet the
claims which their country and the age make
upon them. Your neat, tasteful and appro-
pirate uniforms your admirable drill and dis
ciplne your laudable military pride and am
btion your truly martial appearance, makes
you the ornament and pride of the State, and
is highly commendable and honorable. 1t mer-
its and receives the hearty approval and COM
mendation of the Commander-in-C Chief
In conclusion, Ills Excellency referred to the
! valuable aid which haA boes rendered the
troops by Adj. Gen. Stone of Massachusetts.
1t was a matter for self congratulation that
they had been able to secure the services of so
efficient tactician, from whose voluntary assist
ance the troops had been inoculated with the
zeal and enthusiasm of the true soldier. Per-
. sonally addressing Adj. Gen. Stone, His Ex-
cellency thanked him for the instruction which
he had given the troops, who individually but
silently endorsed the sentiments of the Gov
ernor. TO Col. Cowdin and Staff Of the Second
Regiment M. V. NJ, and particularly to Adj.
Armory are the volunteer militia of Vermont
indebted for their successful parade on this
occasion, and His Excellency, approaching
the important part which they have so gen.
erously performed in the display, was pleased
to express his obligations to those officers
The address of the Governor was listened to
in decorous silence by the troops, and Il large
concourse outside the square. At the close of
the address tho Governor and suite resumed
their position in 'front.' and the line being again
formed, the battalion executed a dress parade,
after which the following order, eminating from
Adj. Gen. Stone, was promulgated by ADJ. Ar
mory
FIRST ORDER PROMULGATED.
Order No, IL HEAD QUARTERS, }
Eirst Pnrimnnt Y Nj
His Excelency the Governor and Commander
in-Chiet having taken great interest in the pro-
per organization of the Militia, and placing it
in condition at all times to aid and assist the
civil authority in the execution of the laws
out of respect to him this Camp has been
named, and will be known Us g CAMP FLETCHER. "
The following details of the day will be
made Capt. Bush, of Brandon Officer of the
Day Lieut.. Lyman, of Burlington Officer of
the Guard.
Capt Washburn, of Woodstock, willcauso a
sergeant corporal and five privates to be detail
ed, and each of the other Commanders of Com
panies will detail eight privates for guard duty.
The Commander would take this opportuni-
ty to suggest that very many persons have been
seen in this vicinity, who may have a design to
surprise and capture some members of this conf
mand therefore he deems it unsafe for any
officer or soldier to be alone outside of the
Camp without side arms.
EBENEZER STONE,
Colonel Commanding b
CHAs. ANGRY, gr., Adiutant, --.-4------
+ The reading Of this rather facetous order
produced the desired effect. Those of the hear
ers who comprehended the humor of the docu-
ment, were highly delighted with the manner
in which Adiutant General Stone-who has