Year: 1862

W LAW AoAS"iuS AuuISSo u6S UCSu ISSuOo " the Republican State Central Committee, through its chairman, Hon. 0. H. Platt, with regard to the Militia Law. The address is we'll enough, and may serve to strengthen some of those weak. backed individuals who have grumbled so say agely over the workings of the law, but for our. selves, we could have wished that the Republican Committee had preserved digni6ed silence in the matter, and said just nothing at all. It was right and proper that the Governor should, in the exercise of his discretion, have put end to en- listmeuts under the present miserable law, but it would have been more wise, Tn our judgment, if the Republican Committee had said nothing about it, but had let the grumblers of the Hart ford Times stripe wear themselves out in their own folly.

 Bye the bye, we sre informed that the author of the present Militia law was not. Republican, and not Mr. Wooster of Derby, but seas demo, crat, and prominent one, from this County- But we do not know that this alters the state of the case at all.

 But here is the address:

 ! 10 THE fEOPLH Of oS SOHNBSA II 1 CUT A wide spread and almost universal dis l satisfaction pravails throughout tho State with reference to the present Militia Law. The sudden attempt to destroy the National Government made at the commencement of the May Session of the Legislature of 1861, demon strated to all the necessity of more effective military organization within the State.

 The first and great duty of the Legislature was 10 provide for the safety of the nation by fur nishing means to enable the State to respond at once to the call of the President for volunteers, and tenderly care for the patriot soldiers and their families.

 Its second and minor duty was to secure our safety at home, by providing for the organiss- tion of proper Militia Force. As the first duty was more imperative, and of the greater magni- tude, 50 it consumed the greater portion of the time of the Legislature: And it was not until the closing hours of the session that it was pos sible for the bill for the organization of the mill itia to be presented to the General Assembly The passage of some law on this subject seemed to be demanded, and in the midst of other press ing business the present law was hastily passed, receiving the aefire support or silent acquiesence of ALMOST EVERY MEMBER of the Legislature.

 The militia system of the State has been for years Q wreck. An entirely new system was therefore to be created, and that it should prove satisfactory in all respects was almost hopeless.

 The first earnest attempt to enforce the law has proved that it is defective, unequal in its application, and operates with harshness upon the poorer classes.

 We therefore earnestly recommend the repeal of the present law, believing that Q militia sys- tenn, which shall be effective, may be devised, depending upon the patriotism and public spirit of the people; and we do hereby pledge the Repub- lican party to the use of every honorable e1ertion to procure such repeal, and also such action as shall cause all moneys paid to the Selectmen of the towns, for the use Of the State, under said law, to be refunded.

 In behalf of the Republican State Central Committee, ORyiLLE II. PLArT, Chairman. West Meriden, Feb. 4th, 1862.