Year: 1861

to meet these and other expenses, and adopt
ing measures to establish the power OF the ex-
ecutlve to meet the emergencies of the occa-
SION on distinctly legal foundation, my other
principal purpose in convenng the general
court was to ask its attention to the subject of
STATE Encampment for Military Instruction.


WISE staIesmansIiip requires an adequate
anticipation of all future wants OF the coptro.
verSy whether as to the number or quality of
the military force, lis discipline, instruction,
arms or equipment. At this moment there
exist one hundred and twenty four companies
newly enlisted into the active militia, all of
whom were induced to enroll themselves by
the possibility OF active duty in the field.
Many OF these are anxious to receive orders
tor service, and withdrawing themselves from
other avocalons, they are now endeavoring
to perfect themselves in the details of a sol
dier's routine of duty. 1t seemed equally an
injustice towards those who are disposed to
arms and to all other citizens on whom future
eXisencles might cast the inconvenient neces-
slty of taking the field, to discourage these
efforts and struggles OF patriotic ambition 1t
Is important To secure Il reasonable number of
soldiers, to have them ascertained, within
reach, and in IL proper condition for service
and II is scarcely less important that other cit
liens should be left us free as may be from
me ulst'dctlohs ol Il ulNlueu uuty, so as TO
pursue with heart and hope the business en-
terprises of private life. The best public
economy is found in the forethought Of con-
sidered plans, disposing the means, pursuits
and people of the whole community, so as to
meet all cXlgencieS without confusion, and
with the least possible arrangement Ut pro-
ductive industry ; and | have, therefore, to
these ends earnestly considered the sugges-
tiohs OF various eminent citizens, the written
requests or memorials, numeruusly signed,
which have reached me, and the advice of the
highest officers i'll our own militia, all uniting
in the recommendation of a state eucampment
recommend the subject 10 the wise and
careful Judgment of the legislature, venturing
to suggest, that i'll order to secure success pro-
porliuned to its importance, any such encamp-
Inent should be confined to those en-
listing themselves for an extended term of
actual service, and should not include
the ordinary militia, who are only liable
to three months duty III Il year that it
! should be an encampment for thorough mil
tary instruction in drill, discipline, and camp
| duty; that all who enter it, should, while
! there, come under the rules and laws of active
military SERVICE that for the principal com
mander or instructor, there should he obtained
if possible, an officer Of The army, of rank ex.
perience, culture, and high character, who,





ed for this service, subject to control and re.
moval as circumstances may require, by the
| commander-in-chief. The number of soldiers
| Or regiments TO be at one time placed in camp,
| should be fixed by the legislature, and also the
| rate Of compensation, and the term Of enlist
| ment. The encampment may be at one place,
or several encampments may he established
under single military commander or OTHER
wise, at convenience, ,-aud the power 10 put
| an end TO the enCampment at any time, when
desirable, should be reserved TO the executive;
nor should any person be retained i'll camp
| longer than the public service may clearly
seem to demand l offer this subject to your
| consideration, gentlemen, with consciousness
of the heavy and difficult responsibilities
which the adoption o. any scheme of the sort
indicated Will impose upon the cOmmander.in-
chief, and with great personal ditfidence, but
| with hearty willingness TO attempt any task
which the cause OF the country and the good
of the people may impose, and with entire
confidence in the support 10 lie found i'll the
aid OF those who will surround me, and with
| the reasonable certainty OF the success of any
| good work, honestly undertaken.


| Many military organizations are now receiv-
ing aid, more Or less ample, from cities and
towns. The companies thus assistel are un.
| der many disadvantages, and are trying in
| desultory way, TO fit themselves for duty. But
| pursuing their efforts without uniformity of
| system or method, the number Of soldiers, tie
expense they incur and the proficiency they
make, are all unknown, while the benefit OF
their exertions is but partially realized, and
| the burdens are unequaliy borne. | venture
| 70 suggest that the practice begun in some
towns OF offering bounties on enlistment is
attended with many inconveniences, not the
least of which is the evil of different rates of
compensation for soldiers Of equal rank and
merit i'll the same regiment ana while no ne,
cesslty exists tor this course, ii is liable to the
objection OF weakening the capacity of the
people to afford special aid and relief to the
families OF soldiers which may want while
husbands and fathers are in the field.


Any relief needed by our troops, whether
by reason OF delays Of payment by the general
government or otherwise, should be provided
for under authority OF the state, and according
to uniform system.


AT present the troops willing to march un-
der the orders Of the president exceed many
times in number the utmost limit which can
now be received at Washington or its neigh
borhood, although, unless some unforeseen and
sudden end shall be be put to the conflict, even
more will ultimately be needed. Yet | cannot
too strongly urge the unspeakable Importance
OF husbantlIng the time and industry OF all the
people of the commonwealth. | eXhort them,
therefore, 10 cultivate Their resources, to de
vote themselves with increased assiduity to all
the useful pursuits and arts of peaceful skill
and labor; and especially to devote the utmost
effort to increase the agricultural products of
the year. Let every man not set apart for
present military duty, devote himself, as not
less patriot than his more martial ueighbors,
to the patient and quiet pursuits which in
crease the wealth and security OF all, ,-remem.
bering that noble purpose


''-makes drudgerie divine.