The Savannah morning news., 1903-06-16

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I tuition in relation thereto.
/ a Plain Proposition.
Such being the facts. and the law,
/ as we believe il is, we can see no rea-
son why any state should refuse 10
( receive all the benefits conferred by
/ this act. and take upon herself in
/ creased burdens in attempting 70 main
tain the militia within her borders up
to an efficiency equal to that of other
states, when the result is that the
state so burdening itself. gets no pos
sible advantage and her troops are
/ under the same orders. subject to the
same requirements and the same laws
precisely as those of any other state
territory or the District of Columbia
The state of Georgia. through its
Legislature, may or may not accept the
benefits given by this act. That is a
matter for the wisdom of the General
Assembly bur whether or not the state
Of Georgia accepts the benefits, it GER
tainly is bound TO shoulder the respon-
sibility, which in our judgment. is no
more now that il always has been.
(b) We have a right to judge the
future by the past. and we are firmly
persuaded, that there is no more likeli-
hood of militia commands throughout
the United States being called into ac-
ton away from their homes in distant
states any more now, than in the past
century since the act of 1875 was pass
ed The responsibility as the Supreme
Court says has to rest somewhere OF
calling forth the militia forces of the
United States in emergencies, but we
respectfully submit that the mere fact
that such statutes existed and that
the power has been committed to the
President IN his discretion is a good
reason why it has not been necessary
for him TO exercise 1t, and such we be
lieve will be the result for another
century.
Co If this act, which was passed
by a large majority in Congress, in
the course of time needs amendments,
the remedy is in our own hands,
through our senators and representa-
tives, and there being nothing sec
tional or partisan in it, it will not be
difficult to procure such amendments
from time to time as will tend to per-
feet it.
The Governors Power.
(d) IT is to be noted that no change
is made in regard to domestic disturb
ances within the limits of any state
Under the law in question should such
disturbances, requiring military inter-
ference, occur in Georgia, they will be
suppressed by the Governor of Geor-
sia as commander in chief of the mi
litia of the state, and no action would
or could be taken by the President of
the United States in the premises, I'M
less the Legislature requested it when
in session, or if not in session, unless
the Governor requested it. If any
troops should be required to be sent
out of the state of Georgia at any
time, the direction by the President to
said effect would unquestionably come
through the Governor.
on Thprafora Pnnal11ciOf1 iC
that this act simply recognizes as the
active militia the present forces of the
different states just as Georgia has
done for many years past, and COM
piles in a convenient form for publica-
ton to all the troops the military law
which has hereto been scattered
through volumes almost inaccessible,
to officers and men, and almost en-
tirely unknown to them, and at the
same time grants benefits never before
accorded to the state troops, and we,
therefore, agree With Senator Bacon
as above quoted
Deeply impressed with the impor-
lance to the command, which we all
love so much, of thoroughly under
standing this important act and after
having fully investigated and con-
sidered it in all its aspects we urge
upon the corps, and every member
liiElcbl 10 DG pltpdi GU " 1CiluCl AHt
same service to the state of Georgia
and as a part of the Georgia forces,
to the United States, and with the
same fidelity and devotion to duty, as
has always characterized the Savan-
nah Volunteer Guards from 1902, up to
date.
VIM. w. Williamson.
William Garrard.
Henry c. Cunningham.
w. w. Mackall
H. f. WILSON,
While constrained to disagree with
the majority of the committee in many
of the conclusions reached, l desire
that my views shall not detract in any
way from the advice and recommen-
dations made. They are gentlemen of
large experience and great ability, who
love the Guards as deeply as any one,
and their opinions and advice are en-
titled to the respect and confidence of,
and should be accepted by the corps
VIM. b. Stephens.
A MISSIONARY TALK