d have departed. The idiosyncrasies of age and confirmed habits
of authority do not readily accept advanced ideas, improvements in
methods, and the inevitable changes of time.

Recruiting for uniformed corps has been and is a process without a
system--a method without a principle; it is simply a necessity. As
conducted at present it is derogatory to the dignity of the service,
and in its practice humiliating and unpleasant to its members. The code
really offers no inducement to militiamen.

Its failure to provide proper encouragement for recruiting is a defect
which should have the serious consideration of military authorities and
legislators at the earliest opportunity. It is a matter of vital
importance to the service, and forces itself upon the attention of all
commandants to their great concern.

It seems as though battalions are expected to perpetuate themselves,
and they have to be, by force of circumstances, recruiting
organizations for the State.

Personal application and argument have to take the place of official
encouragement, and a service whose necessity, propriety, and benefits
should be patent to all is left in a measure to factitious
circumstances for a support. It is not, however, the sole purpose of
this paper to cavil at authority, to criticise military codes, or
condemn existing methods, but rather to show how the uniformed militia
forces can be better rewarded by proper recognition and acknowledgment,
and made more honorable by a higher standard of service. The
indifference of the world and the early hostility of the church to
amusements were fatal blunders which both have ascertained, and are now
atoning for generously, but too thoughtlessly. Opposition has become
permission without proper direction, and indiscriminate pleasure
anticipates regulated and orderly recreation. This is a question of as
great importance to the State as to society, of as vital interest to
the church, as of welfare to the individual. Every care should be taken
to recognize as orderly only those pleasures which have their
foundation in use.

In every community, between the extremes of the artisan, who is almost
precluded from the continuous and regular duties of a militiaman, by
his occupation and necessities, and the student, who is generally
unfitted for them by his intellectual preoccupation, is a numerous
class, for whom the service is eminently adapted. Their inclination for
occasional relief from business and cl