Report of the debates and proceedings of the Convention for the revision of the constitution of the state of Indiana. 1850.

1338
sought to be inserted in the new. The class of ter system adopted in its place than the one'persons referred to is a very numerous class, and here proposed. It compels no one to serve'if a provision of this kind be not introduced in against his will, and provides that a few volun-'the Constitution, it will be very distasteful to teer companies may be formed, thus securing'them. Inasmuch as they have been accustom- to the country a class of troops that may be
ed to the exemption, they expect to be still per- serviceable in case of an emergency. It will.
emitted to enjoy it. also induce the instructing of the officers of
The amendment was adopted. those companies in military duty, thus laying
The question being on the amendment as the foundation of a system to be hereafter built
amended, upon and improved. I hope the section will
Mr. MILROY said he hoped that the mo- not be stricken out.
{fion to strike out would not prevail. The ar- Mr. FARROW said he had bestowed a good
ticle had been prepared with some care. It pro- deal of attention upon this subject. He had
posed a system that was somewhat new,but wher- examined the militia laws of several of the
ever it had been tried, it had been found to work States, as well as their Constitutional provisions
well. It proposed to abolish the system of upon the subject of the'militia, and he had
forcing men to muster, and to substitute the failed to discover a system in operation anyvolunteer system in lieu of it. Under the pro- where that was, in his judgment, so objectionvisions contained in this article, continued Mr. able as the system here proposed. These proM., no person is forced to drill; but it provides visions were altogether of a novel character,
for the organization of volunteer companies for and he was of the opinion that it would not be
the purpose of perfecting themselves in military found to work well.
discipline. I believe that such a system is in There was one very great absurdity to which'conformity with the wishes of the people of he would direct the attention of the Conventhe State. Every gentleman is aware that in tion for a moment. It was here proposed that
the war with Mexico, the volunteer principle there should be three companies formed to be
worked better than any other that could be denominated active militia, the officers of which
adopted. There is no better system in the companies were to be'commissioned for three,world. Under that system the country can years. This was the first time that he had ever'raise at any time a million of troops, whereas known, in the organization of the militia of
iif you leave the matter to the Legislature, you any State, the number of years prescribed for'will have no militia at all. the continuance of the commissions of the ofThe article also provides that the militia shall ficers.
be enumerated for the purpose of procuring the Now, sir, continued Mr. F., I give it as my
quota of arms to which the State is entitled. decided judgment, that under this provision, if
There is nothing compulsory about it. I hope you place it in the Constitution, you will not'the Convention will give the matter that delib- be able to create one solitary volunteer comoeration to which its importance entitles it. pany in the State. I apprehend, sir, there are
Mr. COOKERLY. As this is an import- few men in the State who would accept a com-'ant question, in order that we may have an op- mission and prepare himself to fulfill the duties,portunity to consider it, I move that the Con- appertaining to an officer for the sake of holdvention adjourn. ing a commission for the short space of three
The Convention refused to adjourn. years.
Mr.' PETTIT. I am free to admit, that I I think all that is necessary to be done in relknow little or nothing about military affairs. gard to this matter, is that which has been sugMy friend on my left (Mr. Milroy) is well gested by the gentleman from Jefferson. Itis
versed in its theory and practice; and I shall notoriously true, that it must afIays remain a
be inclined to defer greatly to his opinions. subject of legislation. It belongs more approBut it appears to me that we need not put a priately to the Legislature than'to the Constitua long article in the Constitution in reference tion, as we all know. At present there is no
to this subject. There certainly can be no necessity for any active operations on the part
great necessity for it. I am for giving it a fair of the militia of the State, and past experience
and full consideration however, and in order has demonstrated that it makes but little differthat it may be further examined and discussed ence whether the militia have any previous
at the proper time, I move that for the present training or not. All that they may have learnthe article and pending amendment be laid up- ed in that way has to be unlearned when they
on the table. are called into service. I hope that we shall
The motion was not agreed to. not encumber the Constitution that we are
The question being upon the amendment of about forming with any provision on the subthe gentleman from Jefferson, ject beyond a mere recognition of the militia.
Mr. MURRAY. I should be sorry to see Mr. SPANN said, that as one of the memthe article stricken out. The old militia sys- bers of the committee from which this article
tern has been nearly abandoned everywhere, had been reported, it might be proper for him to
and it appears to me that there can be no bet- say, that while he had no desire to place before