The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1880-02-11
--7T -7-T--7 '777 77177
OUR MILITIA. W
.serye III !.

The eloquent tribute paid 10 our citizen sol
dery ny Gov. Witt In his inaugural message.
and the earnest words he uttered on the
and efficient militia has Inspired our young
men with q desire to continue to deserve the
good opinion they have won and TO perfect
themselves In the duties OF the soldier. Tho
Governor expressed the opinion that the
right to heaf arms implied the duty OF being
provided with arms for use In time of emer-
gency. and also the duty of the mass OF etti-
xens being ready to respond to the lawful
call OF the State or general government. Ills
views on this subject are foreIhly and grace
fully set forth in the following extract from
his message:
hold military instruction. training and dls-
ctpiDe to be n necessary part OF tho prot er
education of the young men of the State.
There is no more appropriate emblem OF
freeman'a rights or more eloquent memantp
of a freemans duty than the we'll kept rifle that
hangs over HE hearthstone
No Young male citizen of the Republic should
hold himself re- ACCOMPLISHED and educated
unleaa ha has become familiar with the duties
OF a soldier In the organz ation, arminR and
drilling Of voluntary military corps the young
man Of Louisiana have manifested zeal and
martial suirtt that reflect honor upOn them.
The expense to the public treasury has been
various corps have provided themselves with
arms, accputraments. uniforms and every
4, initial preparation for immediate use entirely
at their own eSpeuRe.
We have received from &. i. BeaureRard,
the distinguished Adjutant General OF tho
State. copy of his annual report to the
General Assembly for the year ending De-
cember 81. 1879. which is an exceedingly In
terestlng document giving, as 1t does. COM
plete account Of the present status OF the mi
ltia both In this city and the parishes. and
containing some valuable suggestions In re-
gard to the legislation required to make the
organization more effective, and In regard
also to the bill now before Congress- to reor-
ganlze and discipline the militia OF the United
States.
The General recommends that the officers
and men OF the various organic atoms be en-
couraged to practice shooting ut targets with
the new long range guns now In use In the
State, and to this end suggests that the Leg
islature make special appropriation. This
he thinks, and with reason, would stimulate
our young men to join the State National
Guard or the special Militia.
He advises an appropriation for the pur-
chase OF uniforms, the passing Of law ex
empting members OF the active militia from
jury duty, and the increase OF the appropria-
ton for trent OF armories" from $500 to
$4,000. All Of these suggestions are deserving
of the earnest consideration OF the Legl sla-
ture, and action upon them should not be
long delayed, for 1t Is neither just nor wise to
make the volunteer soldiery pay their own
expenses, besides giving their time to the
State-often at great personal Inconvenience
and sacrifice to themselves. The recent adj
dition to the Louisiana State Guard Of the
Battalion Or Washington Artillery and the
Donaldsonvile Cannoneers, requires that the
appropriation for military purposes shall be
increased from the present inadequate sum Of
$500 to $4,000.
The recommendation that the term OF en-
listment be increased to three years for the
officers and two years for the privates is, we
conceive, an admirable one and should be
acted upon, as 1t will ensure greater prof.
cheney In the organizations. Frequent