The Caledonian

THE MILITIA.

A Convention was recently holden at Lyndon, consisting of the Officers of the 2d Regiment, in the 2d Brigade & 4th Division, at which time resolutions were adopted disapproving of the present system and the penuriousness of the State in withholding from those who perform military duty that compensation which their services entitle them to, and also expressive of their determination, if justice is not done them, to "endeavor to procure a total abandonment of the whole militia system." Other Conventions have been holden in the State, at which similar resolutions were adopted.

A standing army has been considered by all free governments one of the greatest evils which could possibly exist; demoralizing and incompatible with liberty. Yet all nations have found it necessary to maintain a military organization, for protection and defence. No system, particularly in a government like ours, has been found to be so economical, so wise and so well adapted to the purposes of its design, as that which embraces those persons who have rights to defend and property to protect.

Whoever receives protection of property or life, should be willing to be taxed for such protection. And it is but justice to that portion of the community who are compelled by law to devote their time and money to the public interest, that they should receive an equitable equivalent. Our legislators, judicial and executive officers are paid for the services rendered the public in making and executing the laws, from the public treasury. They render service to the public, and they are justly entitled to a fair compensation. So does the soldier, and he has a claim equally well founded to an honest compensation for the services performed by him in obedience to law, and for the public good. We are not sufficiently acquainted with the practical operations of the militia laws of Vermont to judge correctly of their justice or injustice; but if they are such as they are represented to be by the public meetings, a radical reform is imperiously demanded. The perpetuity of the system demands it. And justice demands that the citizen soldiery should be rewarded for all services rendered the public. We hope the next legislature will give to the subject that attention it requires at their hands.