Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1842-01-28

any means Of defence other than the .'conscieo-
tons scruples" Of those who might, at such
time. be "disincilned 10 military service y
With this view Of the "horTors of war;" and
the sensitiveness of all good consciences ~
the subject, it will be perceived that Your
committee, notwithstanding the mature con-
sideration which they have given to the sug.
oestions Of his Excellency the Governor. have
not been able, even BY the incest and mos,
thorough investigation, to find so material
difference between the consciences Of the Ous-
kers and the consciences of other good citizens
as to induce them lyour commitfee) 10 report
10 favor Of extending to the Quakers the exemn.
ton privilege recommended by his Exceen.
cy.
That your committee may lie fully under.
stood in the views which they have presented
above, they will quote all that part Of the Gov.
ernor's message which they considered. Its
as follows:
"There is very industrious aud valuabe
''class of our population, who conscien,iouslv
.sscruple to bear arms, in whose favor there l.
emo exemption provided by our Military Laws.
II would recommend that provision be made
''for such cases leaving them subject in time
''of war to pay an equivalent for personal ser.
syice."
Your committee concur in opinion with his
Excellency as to the industry and many viz.
tues Of that class Of our population; but at the
same time they cannot. for the reasons before
expressed, concur in the recommendation Of
his Excelency TO "prcvide an exemption ia
their favor, neither in time of peace nor in
war.-With all Difference to the views of his
Excellency, your committee cannot coincide
in the opinion here evidently suggested in
meaning if not in words, that distinction
should be made between the influence Of con.
science in time Of peace and its influence 10
time of war. II this influence deserve protec.
ton at one time, il deserves ii at all times Nor
do your committee think that sucn a provision
would meet the wishes of even the QuakeH
themselyes-for if they 6 conscieniiously scu.
pie" to bear arms, or pay fines, in time Of
peace, they will certainly ''scruPle" in time Of
war to pay ian equivalent for personal servi.
ces.'' Besides, your committee would no.
recommend such provision, because, in
great national extremity, no amount Of money
can be equal to the personal services of men
and it would be rating the services and blood
Of the soldier by an unworthy and degrading
standard TO regulate their wort by the Quaker's
Observation-Disclosures end cents. Under this
view CT the case, your committee deem 1t but
Justice to all parties, and deem it the best pub.
lie policy, to protect all men alike in the en-.
inyment Of their constitutional privileges, and
to compel all men alike to the performanc Of
all the duties they owe to the laws and to their
coun,ry,-or, in other words, your committee
would recommend that no distinction be made
among our citizens nor any special privileges
granted to one class over another-and that
the Cuakers be given to understand that, like
all other citizens, they must obey the laws Of
the country, both in peace and in war.
Your committee now ask to be discharged
from the further consideration of the subject,
and beg leave to presnt for adoption the fol.
lowing resolution
Resolved. that it is inexpedien! to take any
legislative action on that part Of the Govern.
or's message which relates TO exemp,ing scrs /
pies against bearing arms.