The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-12-01
THE STATE MILITIA, CONGRESS. AND
THE ADJUTANT GENERAL.
To tho Editor OF the Democrsssl.

To tho Editor OF the Democrat:
] have read With much interest your articles
os The Militia servse., published In The issue
ton had been previously attracted to the rneet-
ing OF officers In New York city aud the con-
bon of officers In Richmond both oonsider
Ing he question Of the condition OF the militia
and proposinf6lp for n general uniform
reorganization IN all the States. such rs will
obtain efficiency and render the militia what
The fraIaers Of the constitution Intended IL
should 10 the reliance Of the States for pro
lection. for internal defense and for assistanoe
waen reqniredr In the execution Of the laws,
As You have Shown the organizing arm
ing and distributing of the militia Is,
Congress; therefore IL Is plain that
the Federal authority should be invoked
ion Of the constitution by enartinp suoh
general laws and max ing such liberal and wise
appropriations ~ money as will insure to each
so orgauize1 and Disciplined as to be WAYS
prepared E re, to resist invasion, keep the peace.
"s o o
Ia no stats In the Union where such an organ
zation is more needed than in Louisiana With
the exception of n few uniformed bntaions In
which are ~ their drill md discipline efficient
or available rs soldiers for service. wa find no
military force In the State equal 81 any demand
that may at any time press upon the authorities
II we except only n company here and there In
some Of the interior towns.
The State hos absolutely no means TO 1uelI
insurrectton or put down disorder to resist In
vas ion or even to assist should occasion re-
uutre. in keeping the peace. The serious ex-
perlence Of other States, within n very short
period. should warn our State authorities of
the Importance of giving this subject imme-
diate attention, even In advance Of the always
tardy action Of Congress, by the enactment Of n
well. digested law looking to the organization,
~ the most efficient manner OF the militia
throughout the State, and the establishing and
fostering OF a State national guard to be com
S 81 81 Nsw saae end hn
battalions, regiments. briRades and divisions
subleet Mt all times to be called upon for the
performance Of duty in defense Of life and
property and In obedience to she laws.
In this connection, now that the office ri Ad-
lutant General Is about to become vacant II will
not be considered improper. trust to say that
Tor the carrying Into practical effect these pur-
poses Tor the discipline and efficiency OF the
Jntant General of the State will become an i'm
portant factor: he should be flrst soldier have
had experisnce with citizen soldiers, be pos
sessed OF qualities for discip ming and organ
and industrious In the performances Of his
duties, neRlecting nothing, even the most I'M
important details. With such an Adtutant Gem
oral, and with good law. the State and city
States, Among those whom have heard named
In connection with tho Office there Ia one
especially. whom | know TO possess eminent
1uallflcati2ns for tho position, Him to
whom allude is gentleman OF high charac-
ter, an old citizen long identified with our clti-
gen sold1etY and universally recognized az
having no superior as an organizer and dis
ccipfnarisn. i refer to Cob J u. Walton tho
battalion which he organized and which he
commanded before and during the late war |
am satisfied there Ia no man In the State his
equal for the position. His appointment would
be hailed by all eiHssas Ofahis fellow citizens as
the right man In the right place"
PI;o BONO PUBLICO.