SECTION 184. It shall not be lawful for any body of men whatsoever, other than the regularly organized corps of the volunteer militia, the troops of the United States, and the ancient and honorable artillery company, and the veteran artillery association of Newburyport, to associate themselves together as a military company or organization, or to parade in public with arms in any city or town of this Commonwealth, without the license of the governor thereof, which may at any time be revoked; nor shall it be lawful for any city or town to raise or appropriate any money toward arming, equipping, uniforming or in any way supporting, sustaining or providing drill-rooms or armories for any such body of men: provided, that associations wholly composed of soldiers honorably discharged from the service of the United States, may parade in public with arms, upon the reception of any regiments or companies of soldiers returning from said service, and for the purpose of infantry escort duty at the burial of deceased soldiers, having first obtained the written permission so to do of the mayor and aldermen or selectmen of the cities or towns in which they desire to parade.