*>, VI /a /a ^%' 7 0/ IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) I I.I 11.25 E "^ IIIIIM 1.8 1.4 II1III.6 4 ^^#/^ .6> ■Jf i^ o CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHM/ICMH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques 1980 Technical Notes / Notes techniques The Institute has attempted to obtain the best original copy available for filming. Physical features of this copy which may alter any of the images in the reproduction are checked below. D D D Coloured covers/ Couvertures de couleur Coloured maps/ Cartas gdographiques en couleur Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/ Pages d6color6es, tachet6es ou piqu6es Tight binding (may cause shadows or distortion along interior margin)/ Toliure serr6 (peut causer de I'ombre ou de '<) distortion le long de la marge intir'euro) L'Institut a microfilm^ le meilleur exemplaire qu'il lui a 6t6 possible de se procurer. 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The following diagrams illustrate the method: Les cartes ou les planches trop grandes pour dtre reproduites en un seul clichd sont filmdes d partir de Tangle sup6rieure gauche, de gauche i droite et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images ndcessaire. Le diagramme suivant illustre la mdthode : 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 W"' CI Jm^I- Oomw WILLIA i ■w W"' ■^ THE CMIDIM MILITIl! Its Organization oad present condition, BY LIEUT. -COL. DAVrS, 7 Commanding Zlth Regt. of MiUtia, or ffaldimand Rifle BaUn. PVBLIS^SD BY I WILLIAM T. SAWLE, "GRAND RIVER SACHEM" 0||1C?E, Oalboonia, Ontario. m 1873. ■|tM«l .iAytj,^ >(/< . Ul CJ »-! .1 ■••/i : . .■I I- ..1 '•;'■', ' *.i"- ' •1 . , WILI wA U A* •:^7 5 IS. T H K CiNiDIiN MILITIA! :-( ,i/V7>i-' Its Organization and present condition, BV LIEUT.-COL. DAVIS, fcfn:v;i .J;''.. 4! ili't ' Commmding 375.<- Ki "' J X 1 J5>,. .. .. ■'-•■') 'Vjl^ f. ,!,■:■:;» i t (V I f 1 ! I ;;; T/f/; e.iA^j/>/ i^v militia : \■H'V^ tr Mid'-- !". HI) iitii". Hi'' . .;• IT.S t>U(iAM7,ATl<)\ AND l'ltK; drafted what is now known as Lyson'a Bill, (and of which Sir John A. Macdonald and Sir George Oartier were m^Tibers,) reported: "That the strategic defences of <:janada came within the province of the General Commanding the Forces, but, that, with one thousand miles of open frontier, fifty tliousand men in arms, with a reserve of the same number, would be insufficient, without a strong force of Regulars, and a powerful fleet of gunboats." ■this report was submitted to Parliament more than ten years ago. Let us see what stet)s have been taken since then to carry out its i-<>commendations, Sir John A. Macdonald being head of the Government, Sir George being head of the Militia Department. there is a nominal force of 43,000 V.,iunteer Militia enrolled, and scattered over the Dominion iVom il\.i'iax to Manitoba, but where are the Regulars? Where the gunboat ./ Where the General commanding the forces? Where the lifty tho'-.,and reserve? But people may say, vVhat is the use of bringing this ugly question to the front now, when everything is so calm and peaceful? Well, there are lots of unbelievers who hold that the era of peace and brotherly love, assured by the Washington Treaty, is nothing more than a breathing spell for the Yankees, to get up some fresh demand. This may be so, or not. In any case, a well organized Militia is a necessity for Canada; for we have already proved our neighbor to be a ^^rasping, covetous tyrant, and if we want to look upon ourselves as Reasonably well insured, we miist keep up a good fighting establishment, not only to secure our liberties, but because the knowledge of such a fact actually lessons the danger of war. ■i Let us look, then iir^t, at liiu composition of the Canadian Militia, and how it is organized, recruited, and ofHcercd ; iind, then, after taking a glance at its interior economy, proceed to examine its present condition, and its ability to perform the duty expected from it, viz: to defend British Nortli America. Before going into our own part of the subject, it will not be out of place to show how men are obtained for the Militia in Great Britain and Ireland, and how the force is officered tliere. The supplies for a certain number of men are voted yearly by Parliament. The present lixcd establishment for the militia is 120,000 men, to be increased in time of war to 1S0,0(X). This number Is divided among the counties according to population, the contingent for one regiment sometimes being drawn from three or four counties, while in other cases the county may furnish three or four battalions. Each regiment has its adjutant, sergeant-major and non-commissioned staft, on permanent service, and recruiting for the regiment and militia reserve goes on continuously. The men are regularly enlisted the doctor, are regularly dollars on enlistment, and for five years, and after having passed attested. They receive a bounty of live ^v^.xc.o v^.. «.w.oi,„,^..„, five dollars each subsequent year of their service in addition to their pay of 38 cents a day. Twenty cents more is added to the pay of each man for the first day of training, and a pair of boots, two shirts and two pair of socks, each the best of their kind, is given to every man at the termmation of the season's drill. The officers are all men of good standing and social position, a good proportion of them in every regiment being regular oAcers on half pay, or who have retired from the army. Until last year, all the officers were commissioned by the Lord Lieutenant of the county j now they are appointed direct by the Queen, and every man must qualify within six months after being gazetted . The rank and lile of the British militia is made up from the laboring class, principally from the men whose average earnings is one and sixpence to two shillings per day ; yet, while out on their annual training, their pay and allowances are almost double their daily wages. The annual di*ill lasts 28 days, with from fourteen days, to six weeks preliminary drill for recruits. Duty is performed in the most thorough manner. Crime of all kinds is rare, and promptly punished, while a rigid inspection from the General in command of the District at the end of the drill, and his report to the Commander-in-Chief, enables the War Office authorities to tell at a glance, the strength and efficiency of every regiment of militia in the service. Turn now to how things are done in Canada. In the first place, the Volunteers hold the relative position of the regular militia of (rreat Britain. Parliament votes the money for the annual drill, and until 1871 all the drill allowed for was eight days in the year; now sixteen days are given. Ontario is supposed to furnish 18,070 men; Quebec, 14,382 ; Nova Scotia, 4,284 ; New Brunswick, 3,264. Well, how is the quota of each Province secured? Take Ontario, for example. There are in the Province 82 Regimental divisions and eight Bri^de divisions. One would natufally think that each regimental division would furnish men in proportion to its general population, and that the brigades would be of corresponding strength. Not at all ; there is tio Piich arrangement, nor any provi-ion for uch tin er|Uifable system of service. Some ciniiities give ii I'egiineiii, ^onic don'l. give u man. Two or three townships in another eounty I'urnish the regiment, the majority of tlie townships in the same county not giving a solitury volunteer. One phice provides men and money for the defence of the country, the otiier does nothing of tlio kind ; yet the township that supplies from seventy to a hundred men pays ju^t as much taxes as the township that gives neither a man or a dollar ; buth are equally patriotic in the eye of the law. Here, then, is one of the inherent defects of our niilitia. The quota not being regularly apportioned, the service is n^t e(|uali/.ed, (a standing ground of complaint) and what adds to the mischief is, that thei-e is no system, jjlanned or perfected, for ubtaininy men for the active militia at all, alias for the Volunteers. Up until 1863 the volunteer militia corps were all Independent compatties, with the exce2jtion of >Six JJattalions in Upper, and nine in Lower Colonel Macdougall organized the isolated companies into Battalions, giving to each a county designation and Eerraanent hoad-quarters. The diitHculty of obtaining men, ev»,'n in is day was frequently brought to his notice, and the draft of the Militia Bill Which he prepared, recommended either the Ballot, a Bounty, cr rotation of service. Which of these alternatives the country will now iiake up will very soon have to be determined on, for every man knows that the Volunteer Militia exists now by its own choice, and that it kieeds but little more indifference and neglect to dissolve italtogether. Turn now to the material of the Active or Volunteer Militia. In cities and towns it is made up, as a rule, of mechanics, working men and clerks. In the rural districts, it is composed of the farmers' sons and their day laborers, of boatmen and mill hands. The ordinary wages of all these workers is from a dollar and a half to two dollars and a half a day ; but, when they are called out for annual drill, their pay is fifty cents a day and then* rations, worth about 18 cents more, «, total of less than one half their daily wages. [The wages are, ii anything, understated ; common laborers on railroads now are paid 12s. a day, while farm hands are offered $10 and $15 a month, by the year, and board.) But surely the Government makes some concession or grants some privilege to men who make such sacrifices, says the reader. Far from it. There is nothing provided for the men, even when thay are on duty, but a forage cap, that helps the sun to peel the skin off their faces, a pair of serge trowsers and a uniform coat. Everything in the shape of underclothing — boots, socks and all the necessary articles for personal cleanliness — have to be jjrovided by the man himself at his own expense. The consequence is, that as there is no uniformit}'^ in what the men do procure, not one man out of every twenty has a pair of boots fit to march in, and I saw last year, in one short march from Clifton to Niagara, nearly half a company going barefoot, and the men of two Regiments scattered, limping and straggling along the ro^ad for the whole thirteen miles. We will next look at the organization of the Militia, and begin with the company unit. IIIIHIIIIPWII 3B mnnmmn mimmmmmmimmmmmmri B HH « n nil H litl l»M i l lfftfl«>tt*'jl?4l A wiMt^-awvK't' tixvoni k(?pp<»r, or on«r,?f tif yount< stt^ro k»»ppnt', Oot<}i'm:n(' ! 'o turn to ac^'o'.'ii^ t'l'? I'V^.'*.:';:'"?.''; whic.'" |.>; Country i.-; in diin^'cr: '• Ood Siivc tiie (Juoon"' is given in all kinds of k(\vs, iind '> llulis Uritunnia" with idl manner of variations. Tlio Fei)ians catcli it rough (vvitli the tongue). T j meeting is not at all unwilling to have a slaj) at tlio Yiudvoes, and ^i, i.s unanimously r<>solved, tli;il Slul)town nnist havt* a Volunteer llitlo Company. Three eheers I'oi' tiie (^)ueen termiuiiles the meeting, which is immediately re-(»rgaui/,ed in the next tavern. After u little delay ud some ditHoulty, a sheet oT foolscap, with pen and ink is ^u'oeiu'et uid volunteers press i'orwurd l>y the do/en. Next morning a roll of fitiy or six'y names is forwarded to tlie Militia Department, with tho request lor a Service Roll and immediate inspection. The fiovernment, glad to get m(>n, (as tinre wns then every prospe<;t of their lieiiig wanted,) make no uiirien((-;sury del.iy, and the I)aper.s are sent on fortlnvitii. A letter, with the miigieal (), H. M. S. on the envelope, renews all the previous excitement. The captain (inesm') immediately calls togetlnu' the company, the last man (ioming in on a run, lest he shoidd he late. The eonditions ofs(>rviee are read, and every man signs without hesitation ; (th(!y are ready then to sign anything.) A week after, tiie company is iuspectetl by the Brigade Major, who pays them a glowing eom]>liment on their loyalty and lino personal appearance. Th(! next wei'k tlii^y ai'u gazetted, and there you are '"The Slabtown Volunteer UiHc Company, Captain niank." Drill is commen<;etl iorthwith, military ardor burns high in the breast of every volunteer, and there is an average attendance of lorty is stern and attentive, and the company ress. Tho riHes and uniform ari'ive, the shooting match — and a second company or fifty men. The c.nptam really makes wonderful pro men are jjaradeil and have a could be organized on tho spot. The iirst year, the coni])any is a perfect success; the next, a slight weakness is apparent; the third year, there is a docidt.'d falling of!'; the fourth yi-ar, the captain thinks he can muster about forty, // he tjels time caoiujli ; the iifth — well, he k (luin out a,i!;iiiii, if they will only come this one time ; make t!iu money go as far as you can ; no swearing in you know, and if any ot them want to come honn! heforo tlu^ camp is over, J will get them leave from the Colonel. tho whole thing I'll resign." On the fateil Thursday morning, fivi^ or six compfnies are formed up at the station, waiting for tlie cars, and to look at t!"'::'>. one would think that "motley" was the wear of the (jniiiidian militia. II">re is a fellow in a straw hat; tluue one in a wideawake. Here is 01.0 in a, forage ca]), trowsers and shirt sleeves; there one with a imiform coat across his arm, hutno other article of uiiirorm ahout him. (The clothing has to last live years, undei-stand, and has already heen worn hy two or three parties^ coming out dh'iihsov pins something at every transfer.) The rifles and knapsacks alone, lool- ser\ iceaijle, the rest of the get up being iiltliy through carelessness and neglect. The cars hear in sight at last, and are saluted hy a yell, which is returned with energy hy a party of tho gallant I'Jlst, proceeding likewise to camp, and who in the meantime are amusing themselves in a war daoc-e on the tops of the coaelie.-. The train has scarcely stopped, till tho station is covered by a cloud of skirmisher.s, ostensibly for water, in reality to "see a man ' in every tavern in the neighhorhooil. By the time the men anj on hoard, the skirmishers have closed, a good many showing that they have had enough of it. Off we go, the platforms covered with men, and in two or three hours, a fair proportion of the new arrivals, give conclusive evidence, that whiskey at least has done its duty. Any attempt at keeping order fails. The men have'nt been together before for a year, and most of them are greenhorns, who never wore in uniform, who don't even know their officers. Many of the officei's only liold provisional, or Kegimental appointments, and won't attempt the exercise of any authority. The non-commissioned officers know nothing whatever about their duties, and if they did, arc not going to make a row with their neighbors, may be there own relatives. The men in fact, are absolutely without restraint, and jump off in scores at eveiy stopping l)lace, in all stages of drunkenness, antl in every variety of dishabille, and I've seen or hoard myself, of almost every crime that disgraces a soldier in uniforifl, from insulting women, to threatening aii ortic^r. i^fcujfmCTTyj wm tt ■ir— •-•MMUUI ,. J.. Jjciiig coiuinitted on the way to and from oauip, almost unnoticed, but certainly unpunished. Now, if the etHciency and availability of the Canadian Militia be estimated by these Camps of Exercise, there is not an officer or man of experience who has been at one of tliem, but will If "gh at the idea,. The Adjutant-General is entitled to tfee gratitii.le ot erery volunteer for getting the additional eight days drill, and if ho had the disciplined soldiers that he has been accustomed to, to move into camp, no doubt he would accomplish all the good he hoped for, but, under present conditions, the camps are a mere sham. The men ?.re buiinoyed or bribed for the occasion only. Half-grown boys or decrepid old men, if they can only hold a rifle, are accepted wif' thanks, and when the camp is over, the whole thing vanishes lijce snow off a ditch. Try the experiment. In one month order one of these Roginjents again into Camp and see the result. Even if the men were all able-bodied, bona fide members of their respective corps, the time allowed for drill is far too short to make oven an impre^'sion, n;uch less to impart any real serviceable instructioji. The first week is a mere settling down, and is usea up in learning theuien s(juad drill, and what their equipments are for, and ' ow to wear them, and in hammering as much of the manual and firing exercise into them as time will allow. The second week is all that is left for real work, and in six days the men in camp are supposed to go through the whole field exercise, frpm th^ goo^e st^ to brigade drill, besides doing their share of guard-mounting (without ever having been instructed in that duty), ball rractice, without evei' having been taught how to use a rifle, and picket, without knowing ^he meaning of the word. As for outpost duty, or patrolling, everybody is in the same happy state of ignorance. No man saw thejqa done, npr was any such duty ever attempted, nor was there time for such an attempt. ';;;> ■' ., i'.,/'i ..-,/::,,;. ., But the camp is over. The regiments return home; and each is resolved into its original elements of six or eight companies. Let ua see, now, the relative positions of captains and coixuaanding officers, and how they are affected by the eight or sixteen days' sojourn at the camp of instruction. Imprimis, each captain is absolute in his ,own company limits — altogether independent of the officer in command of the Regiment. By the Act of 1868, a captain can order out his company, without leave or license frojm ihe Lieufeenwat'Colonel, and if the men choose to turn out, he can have a parade. He can't force tJaem out, however, inasmuch as he is met by the argument : " We ha^t put in our drill for the year, and you have no claim on us." On the^othftr hand, if he attempts compulsion and fine, the .men quietly hand in their resignations, and there is another defunct company. The lOnly duty, then, the captain has to do, from one year's end to the other, after returning from camp, is the care of the arms and stores of the company, and that he can attend to or not, ju^t as he pleases; for the Colonel has no power to compel him. Regimental orders, if they suit the convenience of the parties concerned, may be obeyed and acted on, if not, not when the Commanding Officer is placed in the eaviabile position of issuing ^n order which he knows to be necessary, but which he cannot enforce. All the jrespon^ibilities Ktf commaod, the understanding, upon '• which the efficiency of any organized force i* dependent," the habits, of carrying out orders and instructions which are onl; obtained by constant practice, are totally ignored »nd neglected. Even when officers have been reported more than once, for disobedience of orders, and wilful neglect of duty, all the satisfaction obtainable was, '' There is no use sending this forward to Ottawa. They will never dismiss a man for such a cause." Now, I'vo lieard it assorted these camps were thoroughly equipped, and the men ready to take the Held at a moment's notice. Well, there was not an ambulance in tlie camp I was at, nor a stretcher, not even transport f)r small arm amunition. There was no medicine provided for the sick of at least one regiment I know of; while tlio men lay on the floor of the old hospital with a single blanket. There wasn't a set of Pioneer's tools in the Division, except in the Queen's Own, and they wore bought by the officers, and apropos to this point, I know an officer, who, on the morning of the sham tight, sent down town to borrow, or buy, half a dozen of pickaxes and shovels, and they were not to be procured in the corporation. I have already noticed the boots. Look now at the sixty-round pouches ! A skirmisher would make as good time with a turf creel on his back. Old belts that were through the Crimea, Haversacks tliat will scarcely hold anything, and if v/orn, so as to let a man have the use of his limbs, cannot be got at^ unless he takes off the whole kit, and all of the same beautiful tmge, produced by repeated coatings of grease and dirt, contrasting handsomely with the green tunic of the Bifleman, and the red coa*^^ of the Infantry soldier. Not a Regiment in the Division would average half-a-dozen non-commissioned officers thoroughly conversant with their duties, n'r three Buglers who could perfectly sound a call. There wasn't an A-x.iour Sergeant in eiiher of the Brigades, while there should be one in every Battalion. Such is the organization, material and discipline of what is grandiloquently called "The Canadian Army," and which iti admirers maintain,' should furnish a Brigade to take part in this year's autumn manoeuvres in England. The whole system is make-believe — an army on paper — a sham that will fall to pieces on the first strain. The same kind of material will be scratched together way, for the next oamp, and so the show goes on. Let us look at another noticeable clause in Lyson's Bill, " That all officers should be qualified before being appointed." This, from the outset, has been totally ignored, and is still a dead letter, for they are not even required to qualify, after they are gazetted. Practically test the acquirements of our officers, and how many come up to the mark ? Take the Artillery for example, and leaving out the two schools of gun- nery at Kingston and Quebec, how many of the officers know even the rudiments of Mathematics, Natural Fhilosoi^hy, Chemistry, Geology, Drawing, Surveying, Field Works ami Fortification? and these are not half of what they are supposed to I'ave at their fingers' ends. How many of our Infantry officers co ild pass the examination required now from a Lieutenant in the Line before he can be promoted Captain ? I will give a portion only of what is laid down in General Order of September the 17th, 1872. "Definition of Tactics, Tactical Units of the Three Arms, Principlet which Regulate beir Strength. General Functions of the Three Ai'ms. again, in the same ^fci u tt www w iiiii iiiiii uSSLtttgrnamMmm ^»WWW*^fWP" 10 A. — Infantry — The Battalion : Its organization for tactical purposes. Rate ot marching. Principles and objects of its formatioij a^ii evolutions, viz : J .ine, Column, Echelon, Square, Changes of front, Changes of "position, Principles of the employment of the three arms in action. In commencing tlie action. In the attack. In the pursuit. In the retreat. Disposition of the three arms for attack or defense, according to the above principles. The attack and defence of tactical points. The passage of rivers. Principles of the conduct of reconnoissances. Outpost duty, &c., s to give a, thorough training in general discipline, or interior economy. For the present condition of the Canadian Militia, the present Imperial autliorities are far more to blame than our own. No other Government but Mr. (iladstonc's would have stripi^ed Canada of all the Regular troops at the time, and in the manner which he did. No other Government but Mr. (iladstone's would have removed the troops at all, until they were satisfied that the Militia of a colony, which they want us to believe, they look upon as a portion of the Empire, was in such a condition of preparation, that it could take the field, and hold its ground, till reinforcements could arrive. No other Government but Mr. Gladstone's, after knowing that Canada had always been taught to depend upon the Imperial authorities for her Generals and Scientific officers, would leave the country without a single one of either. As long as there was even three or four Regular Regiments in Ontario and Quebec, the Vohmteer Militia had model* to guide them, and derived proportionate advantage from their superior knowledge. Moreover, the Regular officers in command, took all pains to create a healthy feeling of emulation whenever their Regiments and the Volunteers were brigaded together, and the prestige of victory was in the confidence felt by the men, as long as they knew they were to fight alongside the Regulars. Look at the moveable columns of Col. Macdougall. Why, they were ready to go anywhere, and try to do anything, although there was only a wing of a ■ Regular Regiment, and a couple of guns to each brigade. They knew that they would be properly led, that they were under the command of professional soldiers, and would have the advice and assistance of men whose trade was war. Who is to command now? Where are the Generals? Where the Scientific officers ? Where the men to initiate a well regulated system for supply in the field ? Where are the Engineers, and who knows anything of pontoons, field telegraphy, or army signalling? We have no Commissariat, no Transport, no Ordnance, no Stores, no Medical or Hospital department, no Wagon train, no Entrenching tools — we have nothing but a handful of half qualified oflBcers, a nominal foro© of 43,000 mett, and forty light field guns, 6 and 9 pounders, smooth bore. Now, if Britain, with 90,000 Regular troops at home, with 120,000 Militia, with 180,000 Volunteers, and with nearly I6,(k30 Yeomanry, cduld not put in the field, loUh a monWs notice, 100,000 efllectiva men, h(hit' Idhg would it take Canada, under present conditlonB, to p(4e« 50,000 effective men on the frbntier, arid organize and' equip as many move in resevvo? mwMwi ii» » iiw i •^intfnmmmitu »t mmi u m tm 12 But compare the Canadiiiu policy of'freat Britain witli the Cuban rolicy of Spiin — poor, flistraotml Spiin. Well, poor as the Spaniard is, ho is proud oiiou^li to koup 30,1).) J lighting in ju in Cuba, and will 8en«l as many more if thoy are needed, to hold the island ; and shows his teetli so plainly, that Jonathan, with his mouth watering, has to keep a repecta!>l<» distimee. lie knows well, if he interferes openly, he will have to fight, and tint is ai^astimi he has no stomach for, even with such an opponent as Spain. Every nation under tlu; sun, worthy of the name, hangs like grim death to its Colonies, ami only surrenders when it can no longer hold on. Britain, in ^Ir. (iladstone's hands, furnishes the one ignoble exception; fin- plaster it over as smooth as you maj'', the man who sighed " Would to (Jod we wore rid of Canada !'' means to get rid of Canada. Ifthero was any of tlie old spirit in existence that won the Colony, a British Minister would as soon think of evacuating Dublin, as removing tiie garrison out of Quebec. There would be no such language iised as in late years has so often come over the water. Notice, or signs of separation, should come from a Colony, but never from tlie Motlier Coiuitry. Compare the tone of the London Times, a few years ago. with its utterances of a few weeks ago. Speaking of the Alal)ama Claims, (.>ctober 18, 1865, it says: — ''If the American Government is determin(»,d to force a quarrel, as well this as any other excuse." Seven years later, after using Canada as the buffer in this very Alabama collision, the Tiiiiea says: "Take up your liberty, cut your stick. We have left you nothing worth taking, or keeping, you can go." Many a blunder has been coaamitted in the Colonial Office during the last lifty years, but it will be another half century before the words and tleeds of Mr. Gladstone, his colleagues and his organs, will be forgotten in Canada, When an urgent appeal, on l>ehalf of the Canadian Government, WIS m ide by the lion. Mr. Campbell, who went to England for the purpose, that a small Imperial garrison should be retained in Quebec, Mr. Gladstone, forgetting a])parently that allegiance and protection are reciprocal, refused the request. Sentimental grievances, if they only emanate from Ireland, receive Mr. Gladstone's immediate attention, but, >vhen Canada asked that a coujile of Regiments should be left in Quebec, oh, that was only a sentimental desire, and the wish, of course, was contemptuously ignored. It is a great mistake if any one believes that the removal of the troops, was looked upon in Canada as a work of necessity. Lord Granville's speech, " That four or five thousand men were useless for defence, while their presence waa only a source of irritation to the Ainericans," gives the true key to Mr. Gladstone's Colonial Policy. The troops were withdrawn just to please the Ya)ikees (as if anything Brita'n was to do, could please them) and the Quakers, and all the sound Radicals who bellow for Gladstone. These were the parties whose feelings were consulted — whose interest* were considered, for there is no indication anywhere to show, that the people of Great Britain desired the troops removed from Canada, and if the tie between the Colony and the Mother Country is severed in our day, it was the "Peoples William" who cut the knot. The whole scheme of Confederation, mainly acceptable to Canada as the means ef cementing Imperial connection, has only been used by Mr. QIadstone and his Cabinet, as a lever for breaking the bond. 13 Britain, in this colonial question, han acted hastily, unwisely, and, with regard to Canada, alike cowardly, and inconsistently. The Imperial Government would not for a day trust the defense of a single strategic point in the United Kingdom, to the unaided exertions of the best of her Militia or Volunteers, or both combined, unless support- ed by Hogular troops, and led by Kegular officers, while the cefense of British North America is thrown upon the shoulders of a half organized body of Volunteers without Supports, Keserves, or Commanders. Had fair notice been given, that after a certain date the troops would be withdrawn, but in no case, l)efore the Militia was in a thorough state of efficiency, and a well elaborated jilan of general defense understood, then there would not be so much ground of complaint, or for the general sense of desertion ; but Instead of this, the one and only desire seemed to be, how soon the last soldier, and the last gun could be hurried out of the St. Lawrence. To be sure we were given to understand that tlie garrison in Canada would be reduced to what it was in 1 792 and 1 822, and were quite satisHed that it should be so ; but never woi-e we led to believe, til! Lord Granville gave tlio information, that every vestige, and emblem of British power and connection, should be hurried out of the colony. Such, however, is now the case, and. under Mr. Gladstone's re;jime, we can scarcely hope to see the blunder repaired. What then is the duty of the hour ? Cf^rtainly the organization and equipment of the Militia, 60 as to prepare it for any emergency. Now, this duty should be carried out under Imperial auspices and under the control of Imperial officers, for neither the Government, nor the Opposition are tit to undertake it. Neither party knows anything about the business, and, with very few exceptions, neither care Party organization is carried out, and understood to perfection, but Militia organization — that is nobody's child. Any other question of the day, from the liberty of the press, to the Pacific Eailway, can be thoroughly discussed and ventilated, by plenty of able men on both sides of the House ; but let Militia matters be introduced, and the only desire seems to be, how soon they can be got rid of. The country is congratulated upon the admirable condition of the Volunteer Militia The Estimates (save that there is a couple of hours' discussion on some of the items, which are sure to be carried), are passed in half a day, and there, you have an average year's legislation for the Canadian Militia. Since 1862, there has not been the report of a Committee or Commission on the state of the Militia, while the Officers who hold seats in the House are so bound down by party lines, that on one side, they won't embarrass the Government, while the other side, knowing they can accomplish nothing, attempt nothing. Sir James Lindsay, before leaving Canada, urgently pressed upon the Government, the need of one or more General Officers to command the Militia. Now, there is a saving clause in one of Lord Granville's communications, which would enable the Government, (if they so •desired) to meet Sir James' recommendation, that is " If Troops are returned to Canada, on the demand of the Local authorities, proper >quarters are to be provided for them, &c., ^c." Let the Government test the sincerity of this proposal, for the presence of three or four IlegijQ«ntft of Infantry, and m many Battorles of Artillery, would be of wamtHHMtutMmtmuumr nmm mMiri MMIH n ittcalouliible beneiit in the present conditi'^n of the Militia, and now that En-iland has ].lainly deu.oiistrated that Mr. (flii(lioned eflieer be on permanent duty with each company, who shoukl receive tlie pay foi' looking after and caring for the arms and stores of the company, and who would be, at the same time, a Kecruiting Sergeant for it. Introduce a regular system of inspections and reports, and see that the inspections are made, and rej^orts act 1 upoii. Give rewards for long service and good conduct. Give p. iminary drill to recruits ; mike all officers qualify or resign; organize all the elements of om* defensive forces to support each other, and let training and discipline be alike imparted to all. Time and time again, before and after the Militia Bill of 1868 was introduced and passed, the wants and deiiciences of the Volunteer Militia, and the failure of the Volunteer system, was brought to the notice of the country through the press. No attention at all was paid by the Militia Department, very little more by the general public. In 1871 all the commanding officers at Niagara camp, brought before the Minister of Militia, peraonaUy, the actual condition and difficulties of the Volunteer Force, and the impossibility of obtaining men under the present law. Lord Aylmer, on the part of the officers of Quebec, reported also to the Minister of Militia, personally, that the condition of the Volunteer Militia in that Province, was eyen worse than it was in Ontario, and that it was simply impossible to get nflien into the r&nkt —and last year's camp more thin bears out his assertion. The Adjutant-General himself, and the Deputy Adjutant-Gdttefals^ without exception, have recommended the ballot as an auxiliary" measure, but nothing whatever has been done. No more notice has been taken of their recommendations, than ot the snggestioris madd by' those officers who forwarded the famous mettiorial of j869. To all the different articles wfaicfh hac^ atA/eardd in so tatH^> different papei's^, diftcassing'tfti-fiai «tm», ttft'rtnyW^^ilDnWppWr ihoi't-comiug-i would be 15 was : " It was a tentative raoisure, and any removed by-and-by." Five year.s have now passed; mci-c than six milUunx nfdullars have been expended ; the Bill has been ccitioised from ouo end of the country to the oth^r; men of all ranks and of all shules of politics, from the out-and out Conservative, to the ultra Clear Grit, have, in the strongest term-;, and with unanswerable argunn'iits, condemned the Act. But there is no change, no alteration, nor sign of nny. Nothing whatever has been done to improve the condition of a force, which is certainly now in a iar worse condition, thi' i when the Bill was passed. Nominally and upon paper it iniy appear stronger, but whei'o is the vigor and vitality of J8(j] and 18(30? The very foundation of the organization (the company unit) is a mistake. The law allows but lifty-tive men in a Comi)any, making liO provision for deaths, discharges, or for men leaving the service, by giving the usual notice. The Compmy should bo seventy-live men at the least, and then, when you take casualties into consideration will scarcely ev.*/ parade tifty-tive men. The Bill makes no provision for keeping any systematic record of tho force, for there is no regular system of enrollment, alter the first Service Roll has been forwarded. There is no record of deaths, no return of discharges, no system of Company, or Regimental books, no compulsory qualihcation, for either officers, or non-commissioned officers. 1 know men who have held rank in the service for more than twelve years, who have never qualiiied for their position; I know others holding certiticaies from Volunteer boards, who could not make out a Parade state, or a Ration return, or march ott" an advanced, or rear guard to save their lives. There is the grossest neglect in the care of drill sheds and armories, as well as in that of clothing, arms, and stores. Uniform coats in the country are the favorite wear for logging bees, while over-coats are in general demand for teaming cordwood. Captains are paid for doing nothing, and do if accordingly, and it is not long ago since the writer had cheques in his hand for officers who hid not seen their companies for over a year, while another who had lost a number of ritles and nearly all the uniforms, and small stores of his company, returned Jor Ids yearly contingent allowance with the same regularity, as the officer who hand't a muzzle-stopper missing. The present Militia Law is defective in nearly every particular. It is lacking all the main requisites of a Military BUI. It throws the responsibility of keeping np the Force upon the Company ojficers, while it provides no means whatever of recruiting, and not till the Volunteers are disbanded (its supporters maintain) does it provide for the organization of the Service Militia. It makes no provision for the organization of a Reserve at all, nor does such a body, in any shape, exist in the country. It leaves the education of officers optional with themselves, and the man holding the provisional appointment, receives the same pay and allowances as tlie officer holding substantive rank, and who has qualified for his position. It provides for the appointment of a Deputy Adjutant-General in each of the Districts to command the Militia, whde in nearly half the Districtii, the the duties are performed by Brigade Majors. Those in authority are doubtlesii administering the law honestly, and to the bast of their ability; but the law itself is at fault, no matter now, who framed ii ^ and if the country wants ' to get value for its money, and to_aee the inmttnnititmit>n*'fut»nHn»ah*mMltii-'h> >; > HiiUKt^i-aottiauttiiyM 16 II ill i^ .i^f Militia kep' up to it* lull Blrongtli and efficiency, a great and immediate change is a noci>3sity which can't be postponed much longer; for at present tlic Canadian Mihtia is the most noglectei, and worst remunerated service in the Dominion, But to regulate all this, and to make the service attractive, .vill cost money; and where is it to comol'rom? Well, judging by recent events, there is no scarcity of stamps at Ottawa, and if the Governm nt will devote tluic odd CM),!)!)!) from the FortiHcation Loan tc the reorganization of the Militia and the Reserve, it will be about the very best way in which they can expend the money. Besides, they may Hnd less difficulty in getting it transferred for tlii;! purpose, than for investing it in the Pacitic R. R, They can also pay out of it, (if they can't obtainjthem any other way,) for the services of the Regular troops and General Officers, vvhich are absolutely indispensable for the efficiency of the Canadian Militia. They can then carry out all the suggestions of Gen, Sir James Lindsay, as vtoU as the recommetidation of Sir Jolm A. Mactlonald's own Committee, and, if they get time enough, can give the country a defensive force organized on such a basis, as to render it impregnable. In a former paragraph the question was asked. How long would it take Canada under present conditions to put 50,n00 troops in the tield, and organize a reserve of the same number ? The answer is, it could not be done at all. Assuming the whole 43,000 Militia authorized by law to be available, they would not supply 20,000 effective men, as efficiency is understood in England, France, Germany. &c,, &o., and all the Field Artillery in the Dominion, would not furnish that number with the proper proportion of guns. Not a man of the whole force except what old British soldiers might be in the ranks, ever received a day's musketry instruction, nor a day's judging distance drill. Half, if not more than half, of the present material would break down in one week's active campaigning ; while taking for granted that everything was as it should be, thwe is not a solitary officer in Canada, belonging to the Militia, who ever in his life handled 5,000 men in the held. Is this the state the Militia should be in? Does the country require an armed force at all? Is the Militia a necessity or is it not? If it is not required, why keep up the present sham, alike useless and expensive? If it is a nece.ssity how is it that all representations as to its condition are so studiously ignored, and no attempt made to improve it? A certain Hon, gentleman, member for says: — " Nobody ijays any attention to Militia matters at Ottawa, the whole thing is looked upon with supreme inditference. There is a nebulous feeling existing, that we must yearly vote a large sum for Military purposes to show our loyalty, and that's alV Now, in conclusion, I will simply observe, that after eleven years' experience of the working of the Cfi.nadian Militia, as well under the old law, as the new, I am clearly and firmly convinced that it is impossible under the present system, or want of system, to have an efficient or available militia force, and that the only hope for Canada is to have a shorttevm of military duty and training for all {exemptions to he paid for and the money to he applied to the expense oj^ the force,) compulsory qualification for Officers, a small force of Regular troops in support, and qualified General Officers in command of the whole. t xuiuuM Mm mwm nv i :n . ; would it the Held, I, it could lorized by e men, as &o., and t number ole force ' received U. Half, vn in one i^erything )elonging ;eld, country s it not ?■ eless and ions as to made to »"W?fTTSJWHW(pR