Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1862-10-23
RUTLAND HERALD.
THURSDAY MORNING, OCT, %, 1862,
The Militia Law.

Inc Nhuiuh lh"s
We have already said something upon what
we regard as the duty of the present Legisla-
ture with reference to the enactment Of mill
tialaw, The Governor has since recommended
in his annual message that important changes
be made in the present laws upon the subject;
that at least they should be SO amended as to
secure perfect enrolment Of all able bodied
men liable to do military duty, and thorough
and impartial medical inspection of all en-
rolled men; but suggests that perhaps that
complete and well proportional militia system
which shall embody the permanent policy of
the state, will BIO the work of a future time
when we can avail ourselves Of the experience
and suggestions Of many able officers now in
active service. 1t may be true that the "per-
manent policy of the state" upon the subject
cannot at present be established; but what is
now demanded is system which shall meet
as far as possible the present condition, and
probable contingencies Of the immediate flu
ture, of the state and country. When the
war is over, and we can avail ourselves of the
experience and suggestions of officers now In
active service, we suppose the necessity for
any militia law of the nature now demanded
will be pretty much done away with. The
Governors recommendations as to what should
be done are right and proper so far as they go,
but do they reach far enough2
Now is the time, of all others, when an eff
fective militia law is imperatively demanded,
as nearly perfect as can be framed with our
present light upon the subject; law which
shall embody the "policy of the state IN this
time of present war. OF all matters before
the Legislature, none can be of SO great, so
vital Importance. Is it sufficient simply to
enrol and inspect the able bodied men of the
state2 Is this alone likely to encourage and
diffuse military spirit which shall best prepare
us for another call for troops by the general
government, either for new regiments, or, not
unlikely, 10 fill up those now in the field P
Which is the better, in case of another sudden
demand for troops in some unforeseen emergen-
cy, such as has already occurred two or three
times to the national arms,--to raise them on
the one hand, by slow degrees and great effort,
with the state impoverishing -inducement Of
large bounties to each individual, with the
emergency, which directly demanded them,
passed by the time they are raised, and the
national arms perhaps defeated for want of
them, or if this could not again be submitted
to, to resort to a compulsory draft; or, on the
other hand TO frame a law, if it can be done,
whose influence shall be. such as to keep in
readiness reserve, armed and drilled, out of
which large number, at least will be ready
at any time and in any emergency to golunteer
for the state or the country? Can a law, whose
tendency at least would be of the character
above indicated be framed?
Such one has already been suggested in
some other states, and we believe CORRECTLY
Let the able bodied men be enrolled and in
spected as recommended by the GOVERNOR
Let a sufficient number of stands of arms be
provided by the state, and let all the men liable
to do military duty meet by companies, or 9TH
erwise, say once fortnight, and spend a half
day in military exercises. The arms should
be had by the state at all events, when they
can be procured. A war with England even,
growing out of the present rebellion, is not i'm
possible; and in what condition would YER
mont be 10 defend her borders against an inva-
sion from Canada, with no arms, and the i'm
possibility perhaps Of procuring them at such
time But aside from this, occasional meet
ings for drill would be pleasant pastime rath-
er than a hardship; they would serve to create
military liking and enthusiasm, which would
develop itself in the voluntary enlistments of
many when needed, who would otherwise have
had no inclination in that directiou The fac
nation for military life among those who have
once engaged in it, is often remarked; similar
to that (to campare it with lesser subJects) of
the stage for those who have appeared upon it,
or the more degrading one of politics for those
who have once mixed therein. These occa-
sional drills would bring the people together
then in friendly meeting for mutual encourage
ment and consultation, and would serve the
purpose of developing, to a great extent,
liking for military service among many The
militia would also be organized for any sudden
emergency.
For this reason, rather than any mere
proficiency in military exercises that would be
attained, these suggestions are made. Other,
and perhaps stronger reasons might be urged,
did time and space permit, for some such
course as is proposed; but they will readily
occur to any who desire to consider the subject.