To-day most of our militia are fairly well drilled and a part of it fairly well disciplined; few are equipped and ready for the field, and they are State militia. Who for a moment imagines that even in the face of threatened invasion all our State executives would rise to the occasion and send their militia to the general government, especially if they were opposed to the war or felt that their individual States were in danger? The Constitution gives the Congress power "to provide for calling forth the militia, to execute the laws of the Union, suppress insurrection and repel invasions." We should have a national militia of at least 300,000, well drilled and disciplined, thoroughly equipped and ready for the field and subject to the direct call of the president, without power on the part of any State executive to thwart their movement. Such a force would indeed be a national guard in fact, as our State militia now is in name. We don't like a standing army. Part of this sentiment we inherited from our forefathers, who suffered from an alien soldiery; part comes from ideas imported by those who found a refuge here from compulsory military service. The press and the demagogue have fostered this feeling, the former from a careless habit of censure, the latter because that class always appeals to popular prejudice and an army costs something and has no vote. As a result to-day we have only one soldier for each 2,500 inhabitants and that soldier has to spread himself over 121 square miles of territory. And yet every man who loves valor, justice, law and order should be proud of our regular army in war and peace from 1791 to 1896. In our early Indian troubles; on the plains of Canada; at New Orleans; in the everglades of Florida; in Mexico; in the War of the Rebellion; in the canons and on the prairies of the West and in all our great strike troubles, they have an unbroken record of duty nobly done; they have been the vanguard of civilization. Lewis and Clarke were the pioneers of pioneers; there is scarcely a stream, water-hole or mountain west of the Alleghanies that the army did not locate upon our maps; they gave us our system of public land surveys; they made the first surveys for most of our transcontinental railroads and guarded the constructing parties; to it our adventurous settlers looked as their bulwark of safety; they have had little part in making and less in breaking the long list of treaties with the Indians, and have only been called in when the savages were already in the field, armed and equipped. Their steady tramp, tramp has ever carried comfort to those in danger; their colors have waved an unbroken promise of protection to peaceful citizens of every race, sex and condition; their bayonets have never flashed but in obedience to duty and in defence of law and order. Certainly 1,000 of such men to each million of our inhabitants, would not be a menace to our institutions. This would give us a regular army of 70,000, which with our proposed 300,000 national guard would give us three armies of at least 100,000 effectives each. With such an organization, it would only be necessary for the people, through their president, to give the order, the secretary of war would "touch the button," the regulars and national guard would "hold the fort" until our mighty legions were prepared and then they "would do the rest.' UNRESTRICTED IMMIGRATION DANGEROUS. We have another danger to confront and it arises from the importation, by the vast number of immigrants that flock to our land, of European ideas, prejudices and quarrels that should never be allowed a foot-hold in our free republic. Let Ime not be misunderstood; I regard the introduction of class or creed into our political system as unwise, unpatriotic, unAmerican; all our forbears were immigrants and, since their coming, to that immigration which brought to our shores Europe's best morals, intellect, industry and valor, we owe much of our national strength and glory; but the professional agitator, criminal and pauper, whom all Europe is anxious to be ride of, is not needed here; the anarchist and socialist should find in our land no harbor of refuge. We should not allow our fair republic to become a human trash heap, the dumping ground for the ignorance, brutality and degradation of other nations. Many question whether we need any more immigrants. Gen. Francis A. Walker, who has given this subject much study, said: "For one I believe that the United States have, by a whole century of unrestricted hospitality an invasion in comparison with which the invasions under which Rome fell were no more than a series of excursion parties, and especially by taking in five and a quarter millions of foreigners during the past 10 years, we have earned the right to say to all the world, 'give us a rest.' All admit that at most we only want men who will labor with their hands and minds for the good of the country, not those who labor with their tongues to advance the alien and tyrannical idea that the individual may be denied the right of life, liberty, labor and the pursuit of happiness, and are ready to destroy society, laws and the government itself. Those who seek an asylum here and ask a share in our individual and political liberty should understand that if they accept our hospitality they must accept our laws; we should. not suffer them to become American citizens until they comprehend our laws and have become Americans in heart and feelings. While we can amalgamate foreign blood, we cannot and should not try to absorb alien and hostile ideas. Let other people and other nations dwell upon the deeds. that reflect honor upon themselves. America's achievements in war and peace are sufficient for us; the plain unhyphenated American vote is best suited to uphold our free institutions. The only ism we need is that American patriotism exemplified by the founders and preservers of our government. The only flag that should receive the caresses of our free air is this one symbol of a united country, eloquent with heroic deeds and sublime patriotism, fit emblem of the immortal honor due to the immortal memory of those who bore it in the forefront of the battle;-this one whose fixed stars testify alike to the wisdom of our statesmen and the valor of our soldiers. Let this flag float over every American polling place, every American school house, every American church, for it is the banner of free government, free schools and free churches; let this flag and the principles which it represents be your pride in peace and guiding star in war; let your example teach your children and children's children to stand by this flag in war and peace. "Stand by the flag, on land and ocean billow By it your fathers stood, unmoved and true; Stand by the flag, all doubt and treason scorning; Pales, in its glories, all the lights of time." Major Woodruff's brilliant oration was delivered with great spirit, and was often interrupted by hearty applause. On motion of ex-Governor Woodbury a vote of cordial thanks was extended to the orator. The society and its guests, led by the Montpelier Military band, then marched to the Pavilion Hotel, where the banquet was served. THE BANQUET. The number in attendance upon the banquet was one hundred and fifty-eight members and their friends. After an elaborate dinner the toastmaster, Col. F. G. Butterfield, in a happy manner introduced himself and called for responses to the various sentiments. "Vermont," was responded to by Gov. Josiah Grout. Congressman W. W. Grout responded to the sentiment, "The President and Congress of the United States." Lieut.-Gov. Fisk, in responding for the Senate, gave a brief outline of its composition and referred to a number of its past presidents. "The House of Representatives" was the subject assigned to Speaker W. A. Lord. The old veteran, Gen. Stephen Thomas, spoke at some length and was vigorously applauded. Major C. A. Woodruff was called up and told some amusing anecdotes of his experience in the West. The other speakers were Gen. W. W. Henry, who spoke on the "G. A. R.," Capt. J. V. Brooks on "The Rank and File," and Rev. J. Edward Wright, who spoke on "Our Dead." Hon. Hugh Henry was the final speaker, and was given "The Ladies" as his subject, to which he did excellent justice. Among those present were many wives of the veterans, and many prominent citizens, and the occasion was one of especial noteworthiness. THIRTY-FOURTH REUNION. BENNINGTON, NOVEMBER 5, 1897. The 34th annual reunion was held in Bennington, November 5, 1897. The business meeting was held in the chapel of the Soldiers' Home, Col. J. H. Walbridge, president, in the chair. In the absence of Secretary Smith, Capt. C. C. Kinsman was appointed secretary pro tempore. The Nominating Committee presented the following list of officers, who were duly elected for the year ensuing: OFFICERS FOR 1897-8. President, Col. F. G. Butterfield of Derby Line. pelier. Executive Committee, L. W. Shedd, J. H. Lucia, Eli Holden, all of Montpelier. Col. Butterfield in a few pleasant words acknowledged the honor conferred upon him. The banquet was served in Odd Fellows Hall at 8 o'clock by the Women's Relief Corps, of the Sixth Corps Post, G. A. R. Covers were laid for 150. After the inner man had been satisfied the address that was to have been delivered by Hon. L. E. Chittenden was read by Rev. C. O. Seymour, Mr. Chittenden being unable to attend. The subject was "The Second Capture of Ticonderoga." |