The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1876-01-25

h. ID. MORGAN,
Chairman Republican National Committee.
WIZ. e. CHANDLER, secretary.
GOVERNOR CHITTENDEN AND THE WAR
OF 1912.
One Rev. o. s. Scnter has been engaged
for the past six months, more or less, in
the endeavor to "stir up" Nermonters to
the point where they would contribute ma
terial aid to the centennial exhibition. 1t
Is understood that he has not met with a
tlattering degree of success, and it is not 10
be wondered at if his speech before the re-
cent dairymen's association is to be taken
as a type of his efforts. lie took the coca
sion to make covert attack on the present
governor of Vermont and direct attack
on one of his predecessors. Referring TO
the matter of special session of the gen.
eral assembly, he said, in substance, that
he would not stand in the place of one
through whose instrumentality an appro-
priation for the centennial should fail-re-
ferring, manifestly, TO Governor Peck
than he would in the place of Martin Chit
tenden for his Official action during the
war of 1912. 1t is peculiarly unfortunate
that the only two sons of Jericho who have
been honored with the gubernatorial office
of Vermont should be objects Of attack by
Mr.. Senter, but if Governor Peck and we
have now nothing to say In reference to his
course-has no more occasion to blame
himself, or if the people of Vermont have
no more occasion to blush for him than for
Martin Chiitenden, then he and the state
have nothing to fear. Fortunate 1t may
be, toe H. Vermont that o. S. Senter
stands in the place, neither of Asahel Peck
or Martin Chiltenlen, but of this we will
express no opinion.
Leaving Governor Peck to care for him
self, what, pray tell Ne, did Martin Chit
tendcn do that was so disgraceful to him
self and the state that o. $. Senter should
congratulate himself for not standing in his
place In the first place, he issued his
proclamation, November 10, 1913, setting
forth in substance--and the statement was
true in fact-that a portion of the militia
had been ordered from our frontiers fol
the defense of Deighboring state fully
competent to take care of itself, while oul
own frontier as left defenceless and un
protected ; and that the militia had beef
placed under the command of All officer o.
the United States, Tout of the jurisdiction
"or control of the executive of this state"
and he therefore commanded them to re
turn within this state to hold themselve
the officers appointed by the Legislature t
command them that they should be armet
and equipped SO as to march "on tn
" shortest notice to the defense of tn
l." frontiers" there to act 'ether in co
" operation with the troops of the Unite
States, or separately, as circumstances re
quired, in repelling the enemy and dc
claring, in conclusion, that, in his opinion
" the military strength and resources {
this state, must be reserved for its ow
/" defence and protection, e.rclustoely-eA
" cepting in cases provided for, by the col
stitution of the United States; and ther
under orders derived only from the con
mandar in Chief"
And he was right. The constitution c
the United States expressly declares tha
although the congress may provide for O
ganizing, arming, etc., OF the militia, an
for their government while in the actui
service of the United States, yet there
reserved "to the states, respectively, tie al
pointment Of the officers" This appoin
ment was attempted to be wrested from til
state of Vermont, and Governor Chitte.
den did not propose to submit. The COZ
stitution further gave the congress powt
to provide for the calling forth of the mil
tia "to repel invasions" and the congress
iu pursuance of this authority, had provi(
ed when the president Of the United Stat'
should so call the militia The presidel
had made no such call, through the COVE
uor and until that call came, Govern'
Chittenden proposed to retain control ov
the militia of Vermonts and, also, to hay
them commanded by their own officer
and to receive their orders as the laws
the United States provided, through u
governor. No particular fault was four
with bis action at the time and the
would not have been subsequently, exec
that his action then was confcunded wi
the action taken by him at the time OF u
battle OF Plattsburgh-some ten mont
later
His action in connection with the bait
of PiaAsburgh was wise, patriotic, lut
and was crowned with success. On Il
first day of September, 1914, the govern
received letter from General Macon
commanding the United States troops
Plattsburgh, stating that the enemy we
advancing in force upon that place, al
suggesting as follows perhaps it is
your power to throw detachment ov
" ance etc 1t viii be noticed that no
quest was made for The militia, only ST.
gestion that 'perhaps" etc. ; but the rel
81 Governor Chiltenden was prompt a
patiioiic, and to the following effect,
summarized by him In his report to I
legislature communicating the facts "a
A." teptiop should be paid to his commune