The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1865-10-04
THE MILITIA.

coats and muskets (for the annual nuster)
suggests thoughts on the militia system.
Our legislature Is about to convene, and
unless other absorbing business should &C.
cupy the attention of the 'wisdom and
,irtue,' il may almost be relied upon as
Il certainty that the militia system will be
brought in to supply the deficiency, and
not unlikely the irrepressibe subject will
crowd itself in, in any case. Our pres
ent system was adopted not without
strong opposition, and was only carried
through by the excitement of the St.
Albans raid, We may therefore expect
tnat not only schemes for the radical
change Of our new system may be in
troduced, but that propositions for the
entire abandonment Of it may be urged,
on grounds of economy or otherwise. 1t
might lie as well to have no militia sys-
ten as TO have poor one, but we think
the experience OF the last few years is
sufficient 70 make it certain that the pco-
pie OF this State, and OF all the States,
will not very soon be willing TO let the
public defence 20 without some resource,
that can promise effective relief in case
sudden emergencies. We must have IA
standing army of large size, or system
that will, at short notice, produce men
ready for the field. 1t is true, we are
not, and for some years cannot be in the
same condition we were five years ago.
We have great deal of military expe-
rience and education among us, but no
sensible man will think of relying upon
this for permanent use. In a few years
the veterans will be beyond call. We
must have the means of creating and
keeping in existence military force, and
for the present there seems TO be no
o.her way but to keep up the militia or
ganization--as standing army is not to
he thought Of.
\ writer in late number of the At
l,ntic Monthly presents some sensible
thoughts ON this subject. His conclusion
seems to be, that, though for the present,
our reliance must be on the most effective
organization of the militia that is posi-
bic, even this will not be sufficient for the
future. 1t Is difficult in time OF peace TO
keep up sufficient military spirit in adults
10 ensure the permaueIcy and success OF
the system, and it is still more difficult to
clu,a,e men Of mature years. The only
reliable method is TO educate the boys be-
ginning very young, and let it be done in
connection with the public schools. BY
this method we can grow up nation oi
citizen soldiers, with little expense
From the age ot ten TO fifteen boys can
he taught all thtt is necessary to make
them eff ctivc soldiers, when their ma
tnrily comes. At this age when they
feel "that swelling Of the heart" they are
full! the right spirit to give them appetite TO
acquire tins kind Of education and taste
that will cling to them in later years.
If our legislature must dabble again
with the militia system, we advice them
10 give the present organization, which
las been created at large expense, fair
trial, and if It is feared that it will not
give permanent satisfaction, we commend
for their consideration the plan referred
to. We trust that before long our pub
lie school system will be such as to make
this practicable, and if more legislative
encouragement Is necessary, let it be
given.