Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1861-05-02
THE ACTION OF THE VERMONT bEeIs-
IATURE.


On the 10th of April the Executive of Ver-
mont received requisition from the President
If the United States, through the Secretary of
War, for one regiment of troops to aid in put
t;no down the rebellion and reasonable designs
of the seven seeded States. At that time there
was no organized regiment in the State muster
ing ten companies, nor was there any company
that contained the full quota of men required
by the army regulations There was not dol
lar in the State treasury that could be appro-
priated under any existing law for fitting the
troops to meet the call of the President, nor
had the executive any power to borrow money
for that purpose.
Under these circumstances the Governor is
sued his proclamation on the 18th, converting
the Legislature on one weeks notice. At the
same time the proper departments made all
possible preparations for putting the troops in
motion. Arms and equipments were contracted
for; but as there is no large city or any consid-
cradle town in the State it was necessary to go
abroad for that purpose. In Massachusetts and
New York the orders of the departments OF
those States had priority, and it was only pos
sible to supply our own troops after customers
at home had been served.
The Legislature of Vermont assembled at
Montpelier April 23d, and continued in session
little more than four days. During this brief
period it provided for one million of dollars to
be expended. if necessary in arming, equipping,
&c. n sufficient number of militia to meet any
and every requsition of the President. The
regiment already raised was differed and pro-
yided for, and provisions were made for the
raising, organizing and drilling of six other
regiments-two of which are to be called out
Immediately and the other four at the discretion
of the executive. The State pays her soldiers
SlS per month from the time of their enlist
ment until they are mustered into the service
of the United States and afterwards 81 per
month in addition to the 81 paid by the gene
raj government. Besides this, provision is
made by law for the relief of families of volun-
teers from the State Treasury in all cases when
necessary.
Vermont has been liberal indeed to those who
20 forth to fight her battles and maintain her
fame She is small State and her citizens be-
long chiefly to what the late Senator Hammond
of South Carolina, sneeringly denominates, ''the
mudsills of society" But in patriotic devotion
to the Union ard in willingness to do her full
proportion in its preservation she is not one
whit behind any one of her sister States. II
she has seemed to lag in the work of sending
forth troops it is because of her inability to pro-
coed more rapidly. She has had for years nc
thoroughly organized troops within her borders
All her citizens have been busily engaged in the
peaceful avocations of agriculture and manufac-
lures. Soldiers have not been necessary fol-
the support of her government. for the mainte
nance of the laws, nor for the preservation o
order and peace But they are none the les
willing to serve their country in the hour o
peril and in the field they will do credit to tn,
memory of their fathers