Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1867-02-28
RUTLAND HERALD.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY "a, 1867.
Organization of the National Mill
tia.

will supersede all military organizations,
except the regular army, in all the States
and Territories. The formation Of this
guard grows out of the fact that we
have not, throughout the States, any
well regulated and disciplined militia
which is deemed essential for our pro-
lection as nation.
The people of the Northern States are
without arms. The soldier has but re-
Gently returned from agigantlc struggle
and surrendered up his arms, which are
now deposited in various United States
arsenals in large quantities. 1t is pro-
posed to return them to portion, to the
number OF two hundred thousand, Sc
Iected by enlistment from the enrolled
militia, thus creating force in the
country composed Of patriotic people,
and providing an element Of safety
deemed so essential by those who have
preceded us in the history Of the coun-
try.
All the able bodied male persons who
shall have been born or naturaliied in
the United States or declared their inten-
ton OF citizenship or shall have actually
voted at any State, County or Municipal
election In the State of their residence,
not less than l8 nor more than As years
Of age excepting Indians not taxed, idiots,
lunatics and persons convicted OF infa-
nous crimes, shall be liable to enroll
me mt in the enrolled militia. The Ma
tional Guard is to consist of two regi-
ments in each Congressional district to
consist of volunteers. No discrimina-
ton is to be made between white and
colored persons, but they may be enti-
tied 70 seperate company or regimeDtal
organizations, and all are to be armed,
equipped and clothed and paid by the
United States, and the number to be pro-
portionate to the white and colored popu-
lation of each district. An Assistant
Secretary of War is to be appointed by
the President who shall be specially
charged with the execution of all the
military laws pertaining to this organi-
cation.
Each company is to be organized I'M
der the authority of the Governor of the
State and formed of the lawful number of
persons, who, after taking pre-
seribed oath, shall elect the usual Of
fcers, and they to be commissioned by
the Governor, who shall assign the COM
panies 10 regiments, brlgades and di-
visions, and no other militia shall be
organized or maintained in any State,
except the national guard. The term of
enlistment shall be for three years, and
at the expiration shall be exempt from
military service in times of peace, I'M
less of their own choice, but shall re-
main liable to enrolment until 45 years
of age, and eligible to commission until
IS years of age. When absent from the
State or district are exempt from mil
itary duty except in wa, or the Gov
ernor may discharge them for disability.
The brigade and division officers to be
appointed by the Governor, and regl-
mental and company commissioned
officers elected by their several organi'
nations by ballot, the person having the
largest number of votes TO be elected,
and all vacancies in the companies to be
allied by volunteers. The Governor and
Adjutant General shall have the chief
command Of the National Guard in each
State, and it shall be their duty to in
spect the militia at least once in each
year, and report to the Assistant Secre-
tary of War, and in times of peace they
shall obey all orders from the Executive
within he scope OF the authority re-
served to him by the constitution OF the
State. The United States to provide, on
theorder OF the Governor, all clothing and
equipments for the several divisions,
brigades, regiments and companies, and
all public property, including clothing,
shall remain the property Of the United
States, but to be kept under the control
of the responsible officer in armories pro-
vided for the purpose except when in
the performance Of military duty. The
times and places for all drills, military
duties and exercises, to be fixed by a
law Of the State or by command of the
Governor. There shall be not less than
three days drill, and brigade encamp-
ment OF five days in each year, com
mencing the last Monday in September.
All commanders Of brigades are to
make inspections Of their commands
once In six months, and general court
martial is established for trial OF all mill
tary offeDses. The privileges or ex2mp-
tons are that while going TO or from, or
duriBg drill, officers and privates are
privileged from arrest in all cases ex-
cept treason, felony and breach Of the
peace, and exempt from cspitatiOn taxes,
from labor upon the public highways,
and from the duty in attendance as par
hes ar witnesses UDOn any Federal or