The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1862-09-13
LOCAL AFFAIRS.
THE EXEMPT BRIaApE.-Tbe ci

Zens OF our town have been aStonlShed the
present week at the number of unfortunates
among the white male population of our
county, that have poured into Elkton, seek.
ing exemption from military duty The
Offices Of the Commissioner and Surgeon
who superintend the draft, &C.. have been
fairly besieged by inralWs. Bedford and
Saratoga can show nothing to compare with
it. 1t was the boast of our citizens that
Cecil possessed a hare, parliks and heahhy
population. But the draftt that dreadful
draft! has revealed to our bewldered senses
that Maryland's pride and boast, Loyal
Cecil, is like unto whitened sepulchre.-
Her male population between the ages of Is
and As groan with Affections dire, and all
the fell diseases flesh is heir to.
The crowds that block up the Offices of
the Commissioner and Examining Surgeon,
have been prolific theme Of remark. TIC sec
stout, young fellows, to all appearances,
strong rs Ajax, waiting their turn at the
Office doors to show their infrmitics, and
claim exemption from the religious duty
Of defending their State and country, boast
ing Of their manhood and strength the while,
and sparring, perhaps, with each other, to
bass away the tedious time, was both ludi-
crous and amentable. Office hours did not
suffice, but the seekers after exemption
besicged the houses of the officers, giving
them neither time to eat or rcpose, till they
were denied admission and driven off.
| w hp 4 g.
exemption were afflicted with bodily inlirmi
ties and chronic diseases that incapacitate
them for military service in the field, but
what shall we say in eXtenuation of the
scores who came forward claiming exemp-
ton on the most trivial grounds, and others
again, whose robust health and well known
habits of manual labor, have always been
the pride and admiration of neighbors and
friends, presenting themselves before the
Surgeon and taking advantage Of some
physical blemish, either fcigned or real, to
claim exemption from military duty? We
heard of one individual who had cut his toe
joint in endeavoring to MAIN himself. Some
came with trusses, newly put on. Some
borrowed the truss of brother coward after
it had served coward No. /. Various
devices were resorted to, in order to get an
exemption ticket. These imfrmties had all
to be sworn to before the Commissioner, ere
he would give the applicants pass to the
Surgeon.
Some came forward with consciences! All
me what jewel such q conscience must
he, that will interpose to prevent pair of
stalwart arms from striking down rebel
and traitor for tearing up civilization by the
roots, planting anarchy in place of order
and good government, preparing the way for
despotic sway and military rule, and pro-
vidlng the machinery that will reduce the
children of the present generation to hewers
Of woods and drawers of water. We know
personally, the majority of these conscicn
tious folks. We will wager that some of
them can't repeat the Lord Prayer or Com
mandments without prompting; or haven't
read chapter i'll the Bible, perhaps for
months! And some of these conscientious
would,be eXcmpts are of the Presbyterian
persuasion, too Their families have been
reared in that faith from time immcmorial
Shades of the ,Covenanters, what would ye
say could your ghostly forms speak when
the c0nsc'e"ces OF your posterity paralze
their arms from rising to defend the govern
mcnt of their own make and choice? Con-
sclentous men should be consistent also
and not Uoie for, or seek Office under, n gov
ernment they can't conscentiously defend.
We know some brave young men who have
been reared in the church and faith of those
who cloak cowardice with conscience, who
have gone nobly forth to battle for their
invaded and impcriled State. Their patriot
ism mocks the cowardice of their conscicn-
tious brethren.
! When we take in consideration the COM
paratively small number that will be rcuui-
red by the draft, and then contemplate the
selfish cowardice manifested by those who
are evidently fully able to perform military
duty, but shrk even the possible chance
they stood of being required to take the
| field, or hire a substitute, shame is the SEN
sation every American must feel for those
who shuttle off the responsibility of defend
| ing their homes from the robbcr, that it may
fall solely upon the shoulders of their more
manly and noble neighbors We will pub,
lish list of the diseased brigode, so that their
neighbors may learn what Affections they
labor under. Doubtless many will have
their sympathics touched by the hidden
diseases that are eating away the yitals of
their near neighbors and dear friends.
And young ladies', look out for these
diseased young men, and give them wide
berth. If you do marry crippes, choose
those who have received honorable wounds
in defending their country's flag, and then
you need not fear that he who has sworn to
protect you, will desert you in the hour of
danger. He that refuses to defend his
country in the hour of its greatest need will
desert his wife in the hour of danger, also.
Beware of the EXEMPT BRIGADE.
BOUNTY PAID TO CECIL Volunteers.
Our County Commissioners, in company