The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1880-01-21
TIE MILITIA.

The warm and merited words Of co m
mendstion indulged In by Gov Wiltz In his
message In regard to the State militia and
the various corps OF volunteer military or
gsnlzations will no doubt be accepted by
them as IN evidence OF his thorough apprs-
citation OF their services and OF the patriotic
spirit which animates their officers and men.
In addressing himself on this important sub
iect to the Legislature, tho Governor SAID:
Tie right to keep and bear arms for self-de,
duty OF being provided with such arms and in
readiness 10 use them upon the cali OF the
proper authority, For this purpose the mass
obey the lawful call OF the State or Federal gov.
eminent. whenever 1t may be necessary t. TAX .
no arms tor the main,enanee OF authori or
necessity may not arise 1t IL none the less our
duty to be ready with our resources. armed.
equipped. trained and organized whenever be
aismal blast Of war may summon us to the
field
l hold military instruction. training and dis
oiplins to be u necessary part Of the proper
education of the young men Of the State There
ts no more appropriate emblem Of freeman =
rights or more eloquent memento of n free.
mans duty than the we'll kept rife that hangs
over hie hearthatone
No young male citizen OF the republic should
hold himself as ACCOMPLISHED and educa, cd IN.
less he hae becon familiar with the duties vt a
soldier. In the Organization. Hrming and drill
Ing Of voluntary miiitary corps ths young men
spirit that reflect honor upon them The SIX
pence to the public treasury has on but little
In any case. while In many cases the vari-
Gus corps have provided themselves with arms,
aocoutremenis. uniforms AID every essential
preparation for immediate use entirely at their
own expense.
The young men who have only become old
enough to bear arms since the cloae OF the war
are rapidly lear ming military duty and dieei-
pine under The instruction and by the exam pie
hale fh.,r. ri .d
merit he commentator OF nj patriotic citizens
aud the encouragement and fostering care Of
the State government.
Ii would scarcely be possible for O more
graceful tribute to the martial spirit OF our
young men to be pehned. and. thus applauded
and encouraged by their Governor. we oon-
fdently expect Louisiana to lead the van OF
all the States In her militia organizations.
The other States are awakening 20 the Inn
portaDee OF having well drilled and hume
rous militia. but very few Of them have ever
felt. as has Louisiana, the necessity OF force
OF citizens. well armed and equipped, and
ready to obey the behests OF the cons. ituted
authorities. There are organizations In New
Orleans Of which any State might be proud,
as they do, favorably with the
finest of the boosted regiments OF New York,
and we hope to see their numbers increase,
not only IN the city but throughout the State,
IL is well to keep alive the martial spirit of
the people. and IL Ia always advisable to have
a force that can be called upon ut moments
warning to suppress local disorders, or to
answer. II need be, to the call or the country
Tor national defense.
We are sure that the handsome words OF
eulogy uttered by their Chief Magistrate will |
stimulate our young men to even greater ex-
srtons to win for Louisiana the proud dis |
tinction OF having the best IL not the most |
numerous militia OF all the States.
It Ia not the most pleasant thing Ia the |
world, we are aware, to subject oneself to the |
annoyances almost necessarily incident to |
The life OF soldier whether In time OF peace
J, - but we must oil be prepared to make
ome personal sacrifices To- the State, and In
his matter the end to be attaiile,, challenges
he patriotism and devotion Of every true son
i Louisiana. To be ready for trouble 10 the
urest way to avoid 1t, and a well drilled and
disciplined militia is the best possible con-
ervator OF the peace.