Year: 1877




The following excellent article on


the above subject we clip from the


Harrisburg Patriot OF the 9th inst:


Everywhere a willingness is mani.


iesscd to give the question of reform


Of the State militia the most earnest


consideration. It's confessed that the


present establishment has failed to


great extent TO meet the purposes for


which 1t was designed by the Lcgis.


lature. There has been too much pic


nlcing and play and too little atten-


ton TO the serious business of the citi.


zen-soldier in most Of the organiza-


tions Of tho State. As first impor-


tant step in the creation Of "a well


regulated militia" the State should


furnish the uniforms as the arms.


Under the feudal system the knight


provided his own arms, clothing, and


equipments, as well as those of his re-


tainers. The privileges of soldier


were not accorded to the serf. That


time has long since gone by. Under


republic all citizens are equal and


all owe the same duties TO the State.


1t is not in strict accordance with


equity among citizens that thoss who
are required to assume the duties of
the soldier for the common defense
should do so at their own pecuniary


cost. 1t Is enough if the volunteer


gives his time and risks his life in the


public cause. On the prevailing theo-


ry that our volunteer soldering con-
sists for the most part of an encamp.


ment or an excursion or two in sea-
son nothing could be more natural
than the notion that those who enjoy
the fun should find their own gala
clothes. But with the constantly re-
curing demand upon the volunteers
of the State for the serious duties of
public defense this idea cannot be too
soon abandoned. If the State is to
have "a well regulated" militia system
it should belong to the State in every
respect 1t would be a heavy burden
on the volunteer to compel him to pro-
vide his own arms, Many citizens
who are ready to perform military ser
vice are unwilling or unable TO pur-
chase uniforms and renew the expense
once or twice in the term Of enlist
ment, as is required in some organiza-
tions. The result is that the military
service of the State falls into neglect.
If the State furnish the uniforms as
well as the arms and equipments of
the volunteer militia, the system will
be brought more under its control, and
will approach nearer TO the descrip-
ton of the Constitution, "a well regu-
lated militia"


For the further improvement of the
State militia there should be q board
for the examination Of officers. This
board should consist OF experienced
soldiers of whom there are many in
tho State. No commission should is.
sue to an officer OF the field, line or
staff except upon a certificate Of this
board after n due examination. There
should at the same time be q medical
staff for the physical examination of
rccruitsyso that none be admitted to
the military service of the State ex-
cept those who are qualified for the
performance of the duties Another |
reform will consist in the establishment
OF State military school in which a
thorough military education can be
taught. The Agricultural College at
Bellelonte has endeavored to fulfill this |
object but it has not been realized, |
and il will not be realized except by |
the hearty and liberal concurrence Of
the Legislature and people. The mil.
itary academy at West Point educates
more officers than are now required |
for the regular army and Congress
will probably reduce the number OF
TO that establishment |
There will then be so much the greater
reason for the creation of State schools
in which an equal good military cdu-
crtion can be obtained.


These reforms cannot of course bc
accomplished without expenditure.
But the present system which annu-
ally costs tho public treasury two or
three hundred thousand dollars is com.
worthless. 1t has not met
at all events the expectations of its
most sanguino friends in and out of
Office in tho State With the State in
possession of woll-trained military
force there would be no need for an
appeal to the general government Tor
troops on every occasion that might
arise. Other States wonld follow the
example of Pennsylvania and the idea
of "a well regulated militia" would at
last be realized, Zach State would
thus be prepared for every emergency
Of foreign war or domestic insurrcc.
ton. The cowardly fears of those
who are crying out for q standing ar.
my would be allayed. As there would
then be no need OF regular army ex-
cept to guard the arsenals and pro.
tect the frontier from marauding In
dians, It's force could be readily reduced
to ten thousand men. The military
power for the preservation Of public
peace would lodge where il ought TO
lodge in the States and not in federal