Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-11-09
MILITARY MATTERS.
The Importance of a Proper Military
Organization.

Organization.
Lieut.. Col. Wm. GarTard. Chairman Of
Committee Georgia Volunteers, Post
Mol:
My DEAR COLONEL deeply regret
that continuous absence on business,
for several weeks after the date OF your
letter. prevented an earlier and more nt-
ting reply. But even at the last hour IL
gives me sincere pleasure to assure you
OF my hearty approval and earnest SYM
pathy IN the efforts of yourself and asso-
ciates to encourage and make more EN-
cient the volunteer forces Of Georgia oy
securing distinct recognition and SUD
stantlal assistance from the state.
The present constitution Of Georgia
recognizes the vast importance OF a prop
er military organization, and declares
that il is essential to the peace and Sc
curity of the State" Surely no stronger
language has been used in the funda-
mental law to express the high necessary
for any one Of the important elements OF
strength and power which constitute the
state.
Nor has this constitution been any less
explicit IN comforting upon the proper de-
partments Of the government the neces-
sary authority to provide for this essen
tial' military organization. "Tne Gen.
eral Assembly shall have authority 10
provide by law how the militia OF this
State shall be organized, Differed, trained,
armed and equipped, and of whom 1t shall
consist" The very next section PROVIDES
for the formation of volunteer cOmpa-
nies'' and ''their organization into battal-
lions, regiments, etc., and gives authority
to arm and equip the same" The words
EARN and equip are broad and liberal
enough to cover every provision and ap-
Precipitation By the State for the purpose
of securing the thorough training and
preparation of an ample volunteer force.
required for the "peaee and security OF
the state"
Nor does the language OF that para
graph in the constitution which speaks
by Inhibition. s'the officers and men Of the
militia and volunteer forces shall not be
entitled to receive any pay, ratlons or
emOluments when not in active service by
authority of the State' diminish the force
OF the previous authority to ''arm and
equip" But on the principle that the
expression of one thing is the exclusion
Of another" the prohibition against ''pay
and ratiOns," strengthens the argument
that the State can and ought to- farm
and equip its militia or volunteer forces
"when not in active service" Of the
State. The one duty can be performed
cOincident with the ''active service" and
be quite in time. The other must be dis
charged before the ''actlve service is re-
quired-befOre the emergency which calls
for the immediate use of arms and equip
meuts-or it is fatally too late.
This distinction is illustrated by the
various bureaus into which the War De-
partment of the United States is divided
and the class of duties assigned TO each.
To farm and equip" you apply to the
Chief of Ordnance and Quartermaster
Generals Department, the one furnishing
arms aud ammunition of all kinds, the
other clothing, tents, means of transpOrta-
ton. etc. These two departments tC-
gether farm and equip the soldier. For
"Day'' proper-the monthly stipend in
money of the sOldier-you apply to the
Paymaster General, and for ''ratiOns"-
the daily food of the soldier-to the Com
missary General; thus showing that these
words have each clearly defined, well
recognized and distinctive meaning in
the organization of military fOrces-each
entirely different from the ether.
The right and power being clear under
the fundamental law, who can doubt that
the constituted authorities of the State
have the solemn duty imposed on them,
to provide for such organizations as are
essential to the peace and security Of
the Stateg' The constitution should be
changed, and this clause left out, in or
der that the legislator may be able safely
to take the oatn G. office and yet leave
this duty unpeTfOfmed.
In the clause of the constitution which
declares that "well-regulated militia is
a necessity TO the State, it is provided
that the General Assembly shall decide
of whom it shall consist Tue expert
ence of all the great States OF the Union
in seasons of riot and disturbance, and
the experience Of both sides in the recent
conflict between the States, must satisfy
every thinking man that when the Ques-
ton is to be settled ''ot whom it shall be
the volunteer organizations
furnish the true solution, and are best
fitted to preserve the ''Deaca and security
of the State" The pride and promptness
of these volunteer corps, their ready sub
mission to discipline, and even hardship,
their selection generally from the
very best youth of the State,
all eonspire to make them
a certain reliance III any emergency. Their
power and efficiency are impressed upon
the community even in the holiday dis
plays. The constant presence of such a
force gives a sense of security to the quiet
and orderly citizens, while it is con-
slant warning and menace to the riOtOus
and evil disposed. The cheapest eXpendi-
ture is that which secures against the
Of crime and disturbance
not that which merely provides for its
IAN ounce of prevention is
worth a pound of cure"
With renewed expressions of regret
that [ have now only time to present you
with this mere skeleton of my views, l
bid YOU and you rassociates a hearty God
speed in your most praiseworthy efforts.
1 am, dear Colonel yours faithfully,
l..