The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1867-03-22

There is one incident in the life of
Mr. Gadcomb which, perhaps, ought
not to be omitted in this sketch, es-
pecially as allusion has been made to
it recently in the newspapers.
Soon after the declaration of war
in 1912 against Great Britain,
Gov. Gallusha, as Captain General
and Commander-in chief Of the militia
of Vermont, ordered the Bird brigade of
the Bird division Of the militia of the
State, to cross the lake and assist in
the defense of the frontier of New
York. Elias Fasset was the General
Of the brigade, and Mr.. Gadcomb was
his aid. in the autumn Of 1913,
Martin Chittenden was elected COVER
nor; and soon after by proclamation,
he ordered the said brigade to return
TO Vermont for the defense of our
Northern frontier The officers be-
longing to said brigade, including Mr.
Gadcomb, intending to show proper
resentment in regard to the order of
Gov. Chittenden, drew up an address
to him, in which they set at defiance
the power Of the proclamation, de-
clarcd they would not obey it, and
boldly assorted that Gov. Chlttenden
had no authority over them The adj
dress was written by Mr.. Gadcomb, who
was the chosen spokesman on the oc-
casion for the officers of the brigade.
1t was decidedly spirited, and ex-
pressed the temper and views of the
officers, as we'll as those Of the writer
1t excited a good deal of comment at
the time, and was rs strongly CON
demned by the federal party as it was
commended by the democratic party.
The militia did not obey the order to
return but remained where they were
for the time being Mr. Gadcomb
acquired much credit with the war
party for the boldness and decision of
the address No proceedings were
afterwards had by order of the Gov
ernor on the subject The battle OF
Pittsburgh seemed to put an eud to
ali controversy in regard to the DISC
bedience Of the order Its propriety
or legality was not much discussed
afterwards The opposing parties
were not in proper temper to dis
cuss such questions fairly, with due
regard to the law and reason on the
subject
At this late day it may be proper to
observe that whatever may have been
said or thought respecting the pro
priety and necessity of ordering the
brigade Of militia to return to Yer
mont, or the power Of the Governor
SO to order, it must be admitted that
if Gov Gallusha had a legal right to
order them to neighboring State to
protect its frontier, he had also the
legal right to order them to return tc
protect the frontiers of Vermont. II
must also be admitted that his sue
cessor, Gov. Chittendon, having the
same constitutional powers, had q
legal right to do the same thing. The
only proper question II discussion al
that time was that of the propriety
and necessity Of the order calling the
troops back to Vermont But rs to
this, the Governor had Discretionary
authority to do as he thought best
There could be no question as to his
authority to act in the matter,
The officers at the time created
considerable excitement; and Mr.
Gadcomb had the credit of thwartins
the Governors intentions in regarC
to the use of the militia OF the State
He gained thereby much notoriet,
among the people of both parties. r
By one he was admired for his spiri
, and patriotism, and condemned b,
the others as a wild and fanatical anC
even dangerous politician. At thu
time of his death the virulence of par
ty spirit had very much abated, anC
/ reason had resumed her control owe
the passions of men. His death wa
deeply regretted by all parties, for i
seemed to produce void IN the com
r munity which would not be readil.
. filled.
, TO be Cuntiuued)
= lara. the HindOO.