The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1868-08-19
a Conservative Militia.

4 we'll organised body of militia composed of con-
servaves who have the good of their country at heart
under proper discipline and kept subordinate to the
civil authorities is not Objectionable but when orga
Missed from the rabble, for partisan purposes under
irresponsible officers who would take the advantage
of their position crafty personal anmosity tits one
of the greatest that be inflicted upon peo
pie. We are constrained to believe that our Legisla
ture had the latter object in view when they passed
the militia BILL which, among other things, gives par
tsan VndicVe governor plenary discretion in its Or
ganisation Under this bill be cam if he chose, de-
cline to receive any organisation not composed wholly
OF his political supporters whom everybody IN the
State knows to be found only among the ignorant
blacks ard carpetbaggers. By this bill he can, and
We have 10 doubt I'LL organise end
q body Of militia composed solely of the rabbe
have mentioned. Should a company of men adverse
to sbe partisan views of the Governor by any means,
become part of the organisation, he can, with nod
Of his head dispense them once, and thus keep his
armed body-guard purged Of all conservative men.
We may have judged the Governor too harshly, and
trust for the good OF the country, that have, but
cannot wherein. In his letter to the President
asking for United States troops admit that he ques
toned the policy of arng the militia at this tme but
the admission was made only in the sense of argu-
ment to prevain upon his E,ce!lency to furnish him
with military power to be used at his discretion,
which, having failed of its purpose, falls to the ground
Troops subservient to his will is what be wanted and
if he could obtain them from the Federal Government
of course there would be occasion to organise the
militia, and he might, in making his point, admit that
uIi hn bn farf had ho hat
the President would have so fatty refused to acqui-
eSce in his demands. The passage of this bill by the
Legislature soon after the Presidents profsr of
troops only in the e1igency of Instruction, and then
only under the command of his subordinate officers
is another evidence that the armed force they wanted
was for the maintenance of law and order but for
partisan purposes. But further argument in the
ter is unnecessary, there is another and prac
teal way of solving it, There is clause in the mill
tia bill which reads as follows:
That whenever in any parish not less than tweny OF
than sixty citizens between the ages of eighteen
and thiFtJhTe years. shall form themselves into com
pany, and shall uniform themselves such style as
shall have been approved by the Governor and shall
apply for permission to organise such company and
to be exempt from duty in any other militia corps the
Governor shall have the authority i'll bis discretion to
approve such organisation and to commission from its
members captain, first lieutenant and second leuten
ant, and the said captain shall have authority to ap
point by warrant the non-conmssioned officers OF
such company, and such company shall become por-
ton OF the militia of the State.
Now then, let every conservative man who has the
welfare of bis country at heart and who comes within
the provisions OF the bill organise ipto companies and
Offer their services to the Governor through some per-
son well known to both parties. We would suggest
to companies organising in this parish forward their
application through Senator White, eho is personally
acquainted with the status of nearly every person in
this parish and who could satisfy the Governor as to
the we'll meant intentions Of the organisation. This
would settle the matter at once. If the Governor !
means law and order, he will at once accept their
service and arm and equip them, but if he mis-
chief he will reject them and then they will know what
is III store for them and how to act in the premises.
Shall the matter be tested