Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-12-27

gland and that thcrosorea cannot BY any fair rule
oil construction apply to the present case.
The objection supposes that the-immunity o.
students from military service is private favor or
one conferred upon Particular class &C men i'm the
state; whereas 1t has been most abundantly pro-
we'd that II IS very important public benefit One
IN winch every NAV, woman and child is deeply IN
tetested The objection therefore falls to the ground
why are Judges at the superior courts clerks
m'iiers and ferry exempted from militia duties
clearly because is ofPuhc utility, that they should
without interruption carry on their several functi
Gus for the same reasoa ought Young men, who
are IN training Ton the most importmt services oil
Tie state, tobe permitted pursue their studies for
the few years that they are at college without in
terruption.
Bnt it is objected that the law of exemption for
witch plead, creates odious distinction between
the poor aed the rich : aud that while the senate
ma" sson is IN ease, aud quietncss at school, the
poor mans SOU whose la5ou, it may be- is necessary
or tue comfortable support of the family. ia drafted
s's sent lnto tle ARMY give the objection fellow
o'uzens, ~ It's strongest form, because wish to
meet fariy--l very much suspect too that thi, is
the objection which has the greatest weight on the
minds oil your Representatives; because in fact il
| is the PoDula, objection.
In answer To il, ask YOUR serious attention tn
toe following "bscrvatons-
1. The law of exsmp,ion did M, oo,co, cvo,.
upon any particular class of persons, but upon stu
dents IN general. And il is fact that many per-
SONS IN moderate circumstances, from their Vie
''Mou Pn a.sq 'sloolos o!lqni OF ilui,o
"s"e loGr'h sducation to their sons. The wri-
Yer 81 's has had such opportunities of observing
that ne can speak with confidence ON this subject
Tue exemption then, when in force, was not in
operation consned to the children oil the rich.
:. Inc sons OF rich parents who arc determined
10 e"uea,e 'heir children, can no more be compelled
70 Ps'iorm military service now, than formerly :
because 'he rents either. procure CONSTITUTES, &
so retain their ut school, or they can sem,
Them, as generally they will do, to Princeton. or
ts'e, or Cambridge 10 be educsted-And thus
VIII NC oniN the SOM OF men in moderate circum
stances III lie who Will he drawn away from scboo
while the rich will escape service and i,onoversh
.he state ny carryng Gas has been shown before J
Immense sums OF money with them 10 the northern
SCHOOLS he poor will still be forced to leave eii.
dependent families and endure the hartlships and
| pr7rdhsns aud dangers Of the soldiers life And
besides this evil will result, that many who might
have greatly amended their condition in life and
perhaps risen TO eminent usefulness in the state
VIII have all their hopes blasted, their schemes II;
ieriy brDken up; and instead of defending Injured
innocence, or pleading the cause of their country
waud be thrown into obscurty, and drag out a
cherries existence under the hcuuInbng influence
ol disappointment and despair
But farther, suppose Tor a moment that the ex-
emption did extend in practical effect only To the
rich-Hse the poor no interest in their education /
Are they not rs much concerned in having prudent
legislators and wise magistrates, and eanre ridges
aud scientific commanders as any part of the cum,
munity la fact, is not their aggregate Interest,"
much the greatest DO not they need gool Laws
and Just administration of theml What motive
can they have to fight TOR a country whose affairs
are mismanaged But to bring the matter nearer
home--We have (as heretofore observe,D pursued
such course Of policy, that want OF manufactures of
\ schools, nc. Is now draining our country OF money
| to an alarming dcgree--Who will suffer most by
! this, the poor or the rich Whose propertv will
soonest 20 under the hammer to pay taxes p
II VIII afford poor comfort the soldier when he
hears IN camp that his only plough horse has been
sold Tor one fourth of his value to paw taxes neces
saTy TO carry the war, see his rich neighbours
son is IN the same tent with him-It would be much
more comfortable for hun To reflect that although
lie rs obliged te leave his family and the dear de-
lights OF domestic life, the affairs OF the state have
been SO wisely managed that he has enough 10
pay all the demands of government, and keep his
wite aud chlidren warm Q mrurt BIZ at home
Depend upon IL, fellow citizens. this objection
80 plaus bic, so influential, so popular, has very
Little weigh IN itself, how much soeyer it NAV have
on the minds OF those who regard themselves more
than the poor; and who determine to please the
people, let what will become of their true interests,
a TRUE YIRGINIAN.
Some in extreme povcrty-Witness he chart
ty student, on whose behalf petition WAS fruitless
ip I.i.aC tpflh pf. A