The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1873-08-18
The State Muster.

There is class of men who delight in be-
ing called practical, who see nothing but
waste of time and money in connection with
any military organization. The lessons OF
the past, however, have greatly reduced this
number, yet there are few practical men so
confident of their proximity to the ''thor-
sand years of peace" promised the world,
that they cannot be made to believe that the
country will ever find it necessary to defend
its honor and integrity with the sword.
Our lawmakers have not so fully shared
this feeling that they have deemed that no
military organization is necessary. Accord
ingly they enacted law providing for the
equipment and drill of ten companies, the
men of which should be so selected as to be
conspicuous for their intelligence and good
character. These companies were designed
to be so well instructed in the rudimentary
principles of tactics as to form basis for the
military organization of the State in case of
necessity. Those who remember the great
embarrassment nnder which our State labor
ed in 1861 because we had not such a nucleus
of well instructed men, will at once appre-
ciate the prudence and wisdom of law that
provides a remedy for a like exigency in the
future. Further than this, there should be
in every State a body of armed and disci-
plined men upon whom the Executive
can call to repress violence and pro-
tect the life and property of citizens in
case the usual officers are unable to do so.
The companies are intended, also, to keep
alive in the hearts of our young men mar
tial spirit, which, if properly directed can only
result in good. The real soldier can hardly
be otherwise than a patriotic and high mind
ed man.
For the purpose of encouraging healthy
emulation,as well as to secure uniform instruc-
ton and knowledge of the duties of camp,
a State muster has been called. The COM
panies now organized have made most COM
mendabe progress but if they are not brought
together once in while, they will soon lose
their interest and consequently fail TO meet
the requirements of the organization.
In certain way the companies that as
semble here Tuesday, represent the State of
Maine; and the standard of manliness, sobri-
ETY. and intelligence of our young men at large
will be judged very much by the bearing ofour
citizen soldiery. We cannot but feel that
they win appreciate the honorable position
they occupy in their representative capacity.
Recognized and created by the laws of the
State, and in certain sense, a part of its po-
lice force, the people of the State have a right
to expect that every man who wears its uni
form shall be conspicuous example of a
law-abiding and order loving citizen.
1t will be expected on all occasions when
they bear the arms Of the State, that they
will never so far forget themselves as to in
dulge in exhibitions of rowdyism or intern
perance, which will not only be disgrace to
the individual himself, but a dishonor to the
State. The citizen soldier should bear ia
mind that the State can have more dangerous
foes than armed invaders. He can repel these;
but who, when the moral sensibility of the
people is blunted by demoralizing practices,
can save the past glory and honor of the COM
monwealth? 4'
That the illustrious soldier who has COM
mand of the troops at the muster fully appre-
ciates the high position of the citizen soldier,
as well as the dishonor and injury that scenes
of drunkenness and rowdyism may bring to
the State, the following extract taken from
one of his official orders while Governor of
the State, is given:
1t should be clearly understood by the COM
panies now comprising our effective military,
that occasions of parade or pastime do not war
rant drunkenness and disorder, and that such
shames will not be tolerated. These compa-
mics should be schools of honor and manliness,
and If they are to become instruments to tempt
young men to wrong and disgrace, they had
better be stricken from the rolls of the service.
Noble words, indeed; and the sentiment of
Gen. Chamberlain will meet ready re-
spouse in the heart of every good and thought
full citizen.
Nor should the yonng men who assemble
Tuesday forget that they' are f1,e ro,,rese1,f Ca
tives of those who went from the State in the
years of the war. Many of them have
worthily acquitted themselves in perlous
times; but all as they appear in public,
will awaken hallowed recollections of the past
that will connect them with the most glori-
Gus page of the history of our State Let
them be worthy of their natural relationship
with tlQ soldier of the mast