American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1851-1863, 1863-03-06

day. 81 day of March. 1868. to give ex-
preston to opinion in reference TO our
present militia system.
On motion, JoHN MoSToonERr was
called to the Chair. aud ]. r. PowKLL
appointed Secretary.
| On motion. committee of FIVE was
appointed by the Chair TO draft pream-
BILE and resolutions expressive of the sense
of the meeting. consisting of Franklin
Smith. d. E. Burns. Lafayette Mon,gom-
cry. o. A. Luckett, Sen. and C. c..
Cooper.
The meeting was then addressed BY
the Hon. O. A. Luckett. State Senator.
giving a general history of the Militia
bill while it was before The Legislature.
and the grounds of his strenuous opposi-
lion to it as il finally passed that body.
Mr. Luckett having concluded his adj
dress, the committee reported the follow
ing preamble and resolutions. which were
adopted unanimously
WHEREAS. The present war is national
in its character. and it is the highest duty
j Of Mississippi to contribute all in her pow
er to strengthen the Confederate Govern
ment. TO which the prosecution of said
/ war properly belongs; and whereas. this
duty was designed 10 be performed by
the State. by the a Ii section OF the act
Of the 81 Of January. 1868. pos;tireiy
commanding all State military officers.
II. IL .,f Il
10 discharge all persons in the military
service Of tie State. between the ages. Of
i 10 and 40 years. and that snch persons
should be placed in the camps Of instruc
tion-a legislative command which the
officers of the State cannot disregard
without a gross violation of duty aud of
the policy declared by The State:
And whereas. the necessary effect OF
this policy would be. and doubtless was
Intended by the Legislature TO be. the
disbanding Of the State Militia then and
now in camps-since. after taking out OF
camp all persons up to the age OF 40 years
the remnant would be inconsiderable and
inefficient as military organ cation
And whereas. this policy was Gin the
opinion Of this meeting wise and condu
Give 10 the public good. because the Mill
tia, as organized and rstnined in camp.
4 was and is uncalled for. inefficient, I'M
productive of public good. and great
Expense.
Il is uncalled for. because Mississippi
is only called upon to render her proper
tionate aid to The public war. and is moi
called upon to keep up separate expen-
sive military establishment Of troops in
the field.
1t is inefficient, because it is notorious
that Militia in camps are uniformly un
disciplined under the command of officers
for the most part unskilled in tactics. and
that disorganizalion and a want of conf
dence mark the entire arrangement
I 1t is highly injurious TO The publicc
good ia many respects 1. Ii keeps
from the Confederate army large nuns
Der of soldiers VINO OUGHT To BE THERE.
and who are now required to fill up our
.hinned regiments. and are called for By
various recruiting Ulcers an or. mi4sf a
call which every dictate of patriotism and
Of honor. in this the emergency of our
common fate. in this the death struggle
of the South. appeals to US to obey.
It takes from their homes and keeps in
camps considerable number OF men.
past the age Of forty and unfit. for the
most part, for camp hardships and expo
sure, and whose health and lives are like
s ~ TO be sacrificed thereby.; keeping them
from their families and leaving whole
Ineighborhoods for miles unprotected by
white men and exposed TO outrages !;
whereas. if the policy commanded by the
Legislature had been observed, these men
ha.- x.l. a.
could do much more good to the State,
by controlling their slaves and keeping
Them at useful work and ont of mischief.
than they can render by remaining in
Militia camps. 3. By keeping this class
of citizens in these camps. the planting
Interests of the State are neglected to
degree that greatly endangers the raising
of the means Of subsistence for The coun
: try and the army. which is now a cause
Of serious alarm, and If not speedily OBJ
waited must produce disastrous conse-
quences to all classes of our people. but
ESPECIALLY to the poor, whose labor is
necessary TO the support of their families.
/ 4 II produces great confusion and bar
rassment in this State as TO who should
i be enrolled and held TO conscript duty.
81 and who are 10 be excused on account Of
the Militia. S. 1t causes a totally useless
Expense. which appears to be recklessly
imposed upon the country. by keeping a
) large number of officers at great salaries,
J without any necessity or justification
{ officers for the most part unskiIied in mil
itary affairs: when. If the policy com
, manded by Law was observed. the men
) up to forty years Of age would 60 into
the Confederate service. where there are
/ officers of skill and experience 10 war
!, ready TO take command of them, without
any additional expense the men above