The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1865-11-03
and utterances have marked out for him,
we trust they will be sadly mistaken in
their man.
The Militia L0eU.


on the part of many of the members Of the
present legislature, to essentially modify
our present militia law. This law was
enacted one year ago, in the time of war,
and when the people Of our state residing
upon or near the Canada line were in fear
of hostile incursions from the Canadian
provinces Even under these circum-
stances, the passage of the bill into law
was deemed of doubtful expediency by
many of the cooler and wiser members of
the General Assembly. Peace is now es-
tablished, and the rebels have hidden fare
we'll to Canada; and, in view Of these cir
cumstances, and the one years experience
with the present militia system, it is not
at all strange the people call for serious
modification thereof.
Nothing is more certain than that the
citizens enrolled in the active militia are
generally dissatisfied with the system.
The three days muster, the camping out,
and the expenses attending the same, pre-
pared them to desire the abolition, at least
of this part Of the system. The musters
occur in the fall-the nights are frosty
and damp, many became sick, as did our
soldiers in the war against rebellion, until
they became Injured to such exposures
The soldiers think, and so do the people,
that no public necessity exists for this haz-
ard of life and health.
Again, the people of the state have been
burdened with enormous taxation. The
state debt is large, and many towns are
yet burdened with debts incurred by meas
ures for crushing the rebellion. Why
then, without serious cause, should the
legislature continue in existence measures
which add largely to their burdens? We
have not only heavy local taxation, but
are heavily taxed to sustain the national
government. The rich are taxed ON eve
ry hand, and the poor no less so, only
with less directness.
The people pay cheerfully to sustain
intact our glorious system of government,
but when the condition of the country and
state does not absolutely require additional
drafts upon their earnings, none should be
imposed. Let our present legislature look
to these things.
Governor Dilligham, in his exposition
OF our financial condition, suggested that
90 per cent. upon the grand list of the
state would raise ample means to move
the wheels of the state government for the
ensuing year and that thereafter, 40 per
cent. would raise an adequate supply.
We take the liberty to suggest to the
legislature to so modify the militia law
that 45 per cent. may raise Il sufficient
tax for the present year, and % tllereaf-
Ter. We ask the members to make seri-
Gus investigation in this direction, and if
possible, lift all unnecessary burdens from
the shoulders of the people. The men,
bers of the present legislature need not be
in any doubt as to the wishes of the peo-
pie III this matter, and none are more ear
nest for relief than those who were called
to participate in the late three days mus
tiers
We venture the prediction that if there
is failure to relieve the people Of this I'M
necessary burden, by the present lesisla-
ture, very few of the members will find
their action conformable to the wishes of
their constituents. The change of policy
on the part of the general government, in
maintaining large standing army, super
cedes the necessity, if any ever existed, of
an active state militia. Deposits of arms
within the state, with an enrolled militia.
it can scarcely be doubted, will answer all
real Or probable exigencies.