.MTUzNg.MTY4MjM

218

for the organization of the Militia; but that expectation having been altogether disappointed, it remains for the State Legislatures to determine whether this important branch of our public defence is to be so improved as to be made capable of rendering adequate assistance on great and pressing emergencies. The importance of the militia of this State is increased by its local position in the Union. Our extended frontier and sea coast can be secured only by the physical force of the whole effective population; and although we may hope that the occasion for calling this force into exercise will not again occur in our day, yet it would be unwise not to be prepared for so unwelcome an event. I therefore recommend such alterations generally in the law regulating the militia as will have a tendency to render this natural and safe defence most efficient, and at the same time, as far as practicable, relieve the citizen from the performance of all unnecessary military duty, and render that which must necessarily be performed more equal and useful. Keeping in view these great objects, security to the public on the one hand, and relief to the citizen on the other, the Legislature will find ample room for improvement. In addition to the more important alterations, there are some of a minor character, which experience has shewn to be necessary. Commanding officers of companies are prohibited from receiving excuses from their men for deficiencies of equipments. This prohibition cannot be considered unreasonable, inasmuch as it is made the duty of Selectmen at the expense of their respective towns, to provide arms and equipments for such of their inhabitants liable to enrollment as are unable to equip themselves. Cases,