Washington telegraph., 1862-12-24

DEFECT IN THE EXEMPTION LAw.-We ear
nesty call the attention of our members of
Congress from the State of Arkansas, to q
glazing defect in the exemption law. We wish
indeed that we could make our appeal to be
heard by those of the whole Confederacy. The
mechanic who is exempted on account of his
trade, enjoys that exemption upon the condi-
ton that the product of his labor shall be sold
to the. public at a reasonable profit: not to ex-
coed seventy-fve per cent. The farmer who is
exempted as an owner of slaves, is left to e1-
ercise the most unlimited freedom of extortion
in the sale of the necessaries of life to the
community. What is the grounds for this dis
tinctions If any one supposes, that since the
beginning of this war, the farmer has exhibited
more patriotic feeling than the mechanic; or
that the farmer is clothed with all the fabu.
loas virtues of humanity and patriotism, usu-
miserably mistaken. They are men subject to
like PASSIONS with other classes of the commu
nifty. Whilst many are bright and shining ex-
smplars of single-hearted and disinterested
patriotism, and are honestly doing all in their
power for the common cause, and for the relief
OF the destitute, Others have shown that their
hearts are harder than the neither milestone.
and their souls absorbed in an svariciou, greed
of gain.
We apporove the law exempting an oversser
Tor every plantation. 1t was eminently wise.
The community would not be safe without II
But we insist that SO far As that class can be
reached by law, they should be subject to some
wholesome restrictions, by which avaricious
and sordid propensities may be restrained. In
few weeks our Congress will meet again. and
there will be ample time for action IN this re
gard.
The subject is difficult one. and il IS excusa-
Die IN Congress to have retraned in he haste
attending the passage of the law from its at
tempt. But we are confident q wise provision
may be made. compelling the exempt farmer,
under his oath, (Which might be subject to dis
proof by his neighbours to set aside only SO
much Of the products of his farm as may be
necessary for the subsistence Of his family, aud
to sell the balance at some reasonable rate TO
be fixed by law. The law might be so framed
as to guard against sales to spectators, in Sc
cret trust for the farmer own benefit
We submit this matter to the consideration
OF our Representatives as elninently Just in
itself, and as calculated to ,allsy entirely all
dissatisfaction with the law as it now exists. 1t
would not reach those past the age of con-
scrption. They must be left to their own con
sciences. But it woald be doing all in the
constitutional power of Congress. There is
no occasion for haste. Months will slapse be-
fore the law would have any practical bearing.
1t may, and should be, eliherately matured.
The present exemption bill, it viii be
membered, was compromise bill, got up by
committee of reference from both houses of
Congress. Neither house could pas. its
bill upon the subject, and both were compelled
to take the bill reported as compromise. 1t
happens that many of the members were thus
constrained TO vote for the bill in its present
shape who might have wished other provisions
added. To insist on them would have been TO
defeat the whole. But now this may be brought
up as u separate and distinct matter, an
whether it passes or fails, no time will be lost
in the main object of securing additional troops
for our armies by conscription.