The Van Buren press., 1875-03-09
Militia.
EDITOR OF V. B. Press /:

EDITOR OF V. B. Press:
By the laws of our State all able bodied
male persons, residents of this State, between
the ages of eighteen and forty-fivc years, are
required to be enrolled /" the militia, except
such as are exempt by the laws of the United
States and this State. The law further pro-
vides for the organizing and equiping volun-
tecr companies Of infantry, cavalry or artiile-
ry BY order of the Governor all persons be-
tween the ages above specified, are required
Immediately to enroll themselves in some
company for organization and drill.
All the States in the Union have their mill
tia laws. In some the law is strictly enforced
and as consequence all person therein subject
to military duty are well drilled and prepared
for any emergency requiring the Use of sol
ders, while in those States where the law is
neglected the case is just to the reverse. The
law in our State providing for the organiza-
ton of militia and formation of volunteer
companies, has been almost n dead letter
since its enactment. Our people seem to be
totally Indifferent to any of its provisions,
and as a consequence have been up to very
recently unprepared for emergencies requir-
ing the service of the military to assist in the
execution of the law. 1t is highly necessary
more especially just at this time-that our
people take some interest in this matter. We
know not at what moment the law abiding
citizens Of our country or State, may be called
upon to suppress a rebellion or riot. We
know not at what hour desperate gangs of
outlaws-the rilf-raf of society. led on by
such men as Joe Brooks, may combine to-
! gether and threatepsour capital, or take fore
ible possession of it, oust our Governor and
inauguratc in our midst reign of terror and
anarchy. But in case our militia is well or
ganized-yolunteer companies organized and
equipped, we need fear no danger from that
quarter-we would be prepared to oust them
Immediately and bring them to speedy pun
ishment' In fact, we are then prepared for all
contingencies ofthat character We are tncn
not only the better prepared to keep the peace
in our State. but ready to march at short no.
! tcc in case of foreign invasion or war. 1t
seems however difficult matter for the peo-
| pie ofthis State to organize their militia with
out howl from the carpet bag element
among MS being sent up North, that we are
preparing to make war on the General gov
ernment. We have labored under such him
derances ever since the close of the war. But
it Is high time we should cease paying any
further attention to these howlings aud go
forward in the performance of our duty as the
law requires. If these carpet bag gentry
those excellent specimens of humanity WAC
{ :, bpl tbpir in 1,.ir ba +,
"our style, " let them leave the country. If
they behave themselves the militia will not
mocst them. 1t never was and will be the
purpose of. our people to make war on the
General government. Had President Grant,
as he threatened to do, or should lie at any
time overthrow our State government, and
assisted by Federal hayoncts, endorsed 10y the
masses Of the Northern people, we shall make
no resistance. We cannot If we would. Our
idea was and is, if the people North stand by
aud see the President overthrow State gov
ernmeuts, sap the foundation OF republican
liberty and institutions, we raise our protest
against it, but could not otherwise resist.
When the great mass of the Northern people
thus willingly yield their liberties, we shall
offer no resistance and say, amen.
We have inaugurated in our State new
era. and are determined to enforce the law,
and any combination in our State for the pur-
pose of overthrowing our government, or
creating disturbance in our midst, we shall
suppress and bring to punishment.
We should have at least one good volunteer
company in each County for this purpose. 1t
4 I
and drill, If Captain Hawkins will pcrscyere
in the organization Of his company, it will be
one Of the best in the State. IT is composed
of the finest and brayest young men in Van
Burcn-and a. a consequence will ever have
ready good backing in our County to aid
and assist the civil authorities therein should
1t be required. j.