The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1865-10-24
F. 8eE For the Manchester Jonrhav.
ORR MILITIAaSYSTE 8E

When the Legislature Of 1864 inaa gsraed the
militia system nov in force, there was q strong
public pressure brought 10 beai upon the Law
MAXIM power oceasiobed BY the excitement in
cidtnt upon the raid at St Adams and the de-
fenceless condition Of our northern frontier The
public mind was drawn 70 its highest tension by
the almost superhuman efforts Of the Confederate
Government 70 break the power Of the nation,
both By watlike operations in the field aud by car
rying destruction aud dismay TO the quiet hearth
stones Of the loyal masses in the Norta. British
neutrality. aud the ruling Of Canadian Judges.
taught our people that their only protection FROM
hllibustering expeditions from Canada lay IN their
ability 10 meet out summary justice by ERE and
sword. Organization WAS felt to be an imperative
necessity, aud hastily an imperfectly drawn
bill was rushed through the legislature, under
the strong pressure Of exciting circumstances,
over the protest of many leading members.
year has ppst, aud with it has gone the gi-
gAntic civil war which thea eonyul sed the natiuu.
We are now in u state Of profound peace; there
are no circumstances u excitement TO divert the
sober attention Of the people, Canada has awak-
ened from its apathy Of neutrality to d sense Of
remedial Justice, which may in the future be re-
lied on for prevention as well as cure" Our
assembled 10 the capitol Of our State TO listen TO
public grievances. to redress public wrongs, and
10 subserve the best interest II our favored State
BY judicious exercise Of the sovereignty Of a
free people. Our representatives are suppos ed to
know the wants and needs VI Their cosntiu nts the
are from among us. are affected by the same con
sderations and impulses aS The masses, aud know
OF the public grleYaaces which cypress the PEG
pie; still they acknowledge wiki the found ers Of
cur institutions the right, and potent power. Of
popular petition. The representative Of any town
10 the legislature feels a new impulse, stronger
desire 90 succeed IN his labors for his fellOWnen
when be is sustained by the expression OF their
coneuring desires, BY Eepresentaiign Of, their
common grievance, aud an express petition for
relief
The year which has just past, has been an ex-
perimensal one. with the present militia system.
les wet kings hav been seen, its influences felt.
its merits DISCUSSED and public opinion settled
upon lie utility, and now tie legislature is look
ing 10 each aud every Milita Distric Of the State
Tor an expression Of hat public opinion which
shall assist theal in deciding the tate Of abe sys-
tenn. AL. adult that our militia law las great
defects, that It's workings are improbable. and
thai il Is oppressive upon the people, aud the on.
IN grave question Is, how u remedy the evils
which arise from IL. Wheihr total REPEAL. Of
ali law urou the sahjec you'd be safe aud expe.
dent. is diaieui1 question. What qualifications
az the present law can be .opied which will be
relief against rs Objectionable feat1ses aud still
leave US So organi14ti6n, Is fraughi with abSut
the same difheulfy i beieysthe best interests Of
the people wauhl'be her d promoted by sweeping
from the Statute books every yestige Of laW upon
the subject excep, that providing fer thorough
enrolment u oil men subject TO military duty BY
theiaws Of the United States II Is not apparent
TO common oAteryer what possible use our pres
cut organizaiion could bepat 10 in an emergency
which would call for the exercise Of military
power The Eve days drill required in each year
dosa pot give the soldier any proficiency 10 mill
Il any polus Of this Distrpt TO Fepe invasien,
suppress ibsarrectionr or preserve order, the
Sheriff with his "posse eomiiaias" aided by such
volunteer oecers s. the lale war has educated,
woald have quelled every seBblance Of disorder
beisne the ealias Colonel u The militia could IS
sue the neeessary orsels 70 sail his veterans to
arms. No, geellemen. you mpst not rely % any
such Organization As the Vermont militia under
the presxst law The safety Of he continuity
in an emergency must depeu1 upon the prompt
ness q selnateer a a, and not npeu this com pii-
Gated aud unnisidly mashnsry u The mili,ia
system.
Nov the people of abe State viii have small
gresbds t. complain II they are lsft % u Yer an
der shis bnrAes Aaother zeal, unisss they 10 oaes
take neasarsa 20 megnoralize the legislators apoa
ihis sutjee'. and thus present tbs radical ebjes.
tions t. De lAw Ia manner shieh viii shos the
publie seatutnt ket eseh tevn forward is
nemusiai At enee t. lkslr representative in The
hoasa. stsiiag f0sta q tsrse aaugnAge she defess
10 b. law aud praying fot sa<h reilsf IS they BE-
liere win hss, prsnote The pabiic good uHhout
sndanKsrine NE puhsic fafe,y. Our feg niaiars
vii give sust1 re- ~ - IN their wisdom wAybe
deemed ex pesiefi nils,aEy orgGHi aafisa hes
.aiwayn bssn esnssdsrei a. . maaiEess danger 10
free gevefnmeni; cur pecple kAye AISays rrgard-
81 X With suspicion; and nniess kotse more use
fal theery for its maihtainAnee cen he invented,
the State q lemsal eanpet Aa5rd 70 e1pead its
fos,y .ksasand 5oiiaFs PER year tor the gaaly
display q hrass buttons aud shining shoulder
Sfaps fcF Eve days. Tsuse be are % antorfu-
nate - e belong e the active militia viA ses
leng fuhasit 10 tie barles e w4siiBg tire ard
messy :; drills ast psFsSss when fsuF dbllAr
ell sxease lhea from paYiHg Atisabon 70 aha
.xqslrensnss 81 = opefgus az aud The bon
~ q The ssats rcenires ihsi ~ bee laws sAosa
ke 81 sustel st ,At geaits N eSr r<crie. sss
Ihssr eva inksssnt lfss hail &eep shssE Asoys The
ospte2Ft rfthsss Shs are Feeairei 70 seey hfm-
lac qsesiea ~ De ps1ple a thit- y ~ yeu
ne8lfaaEe uhs ieglslssare up,h ilissas ieefy AID
pay shss rtlsttto " Aieh ~ Ae1ef sra 5gssfge r.
ssal - ~ ssossssy ssd grgedieuey ses Atsts-
titled, - @aoA Z.
W.gsg.rA y, n, n. he