Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1862-08-15
From the Caledonian.
THE DRAFT.

respect to this most important measure.
The uniform habit of absolute govern
ments to keep large standing armies and
Che uniform reluctance of republics to
tolerate them has occasioned among our
citizens a somewhat obstinate prejudice
against any but volunteer troops. Con-
scription is apt to be regarded either as
evincing lack Of zeal on the part of the
citizen soldier, or as attesting tyrannic
demand on the part of the government.
So far as this feeling may operate in
favor of voluntary enlistment, it is we'll
So far as it may operate to the odium of
men who honorably await the draft it is
i'll.
We need to be aware at the outset that
the burdens of war cannot in the nature
of the case fall exclusively upon any par
ticular class. AS good government is in
dispcnsablc to the successful prosecution
of any business; so all departments of in
dustry must share the peril and pay
tribute to the support of the government.
In the attempt to e1ualizc these burdens
the world will admit that our nation is
unarivallcd Indeed, 50 liberal is the
pay of the soldier, that in no case does it
become him to disparage the patriotism
of the civilian. Nor on the other hand
can the civilian complain, if under such
inducements some hierlings should fall in
with the lcgions Of patriotic citizens, who
have taken up arms. Civilians and sol
dicrs are working together in the same
great cause; and they must accept each
other despite all human imperfections.
The truth is, all citizens owe service to
the government, those who 90 to the war
and those who stay at home. If they are
loyal men they render service chcerfully.
The military service in particular is al
ways contemplated iii free nations as no
less privilege than duty. The Spar
tans reckoncd all between the age of 20
and GO years as liable to service as sol
licrs the Athenians enrolled all between
the ages of l8 and GO; and in both cases
others were available in an emergency.
These were all free citizens, men who con-
stitutcd the state; while among the Athc-
mans, to cvade military duty or to show
coNardice in the discharge of it was to
iucur the penalty of public disgrace. A
disgrace not ineffective by reason of the
forgctfulness or good nrturc Of the citizens
but disgrace made perpetual and
practical in the total withdrawmcnt of
civil rights. The paracidal wretch, who
would willingly surrender his country to
destruction was regarded as hcnccforth
dead to the state, He could not hold
office. he could not bear testimony, he
could not speak in the popular assembly,
he could not prosecute in the courts !;
though he could be treated as nuisance
and punished for any intrusiveness. The
poor skeleton of q citizen was not to stalk
out of his closet. is to be hoped that
all our refugees in Canada will somehow
get hint from this Athcnian justice, and
never return. mat gaoift tas.aN 7M :
In Rome for hundreds of years the mil
itary service was confined to the favored
classes of citizens; and a property quali-
fcation was recognized, on the principle
that a man must have something at stake
as the guarantee of his zeal. But under
our moro liberal institutions, not only are
civil rights made common to all but the
career of honorable service is open to all
who have the mind and muscle for it. u9l
The question, which draft under our
government proposes to solve, is not, Will
wo fight? We will. 1t is u foregone
conclusion. We arc all determined upon
any conflict, and conflict to any extent
necessary to maintain the integrity Of our
nation. But who shall 60? This is the
question. If the war is of ordinary mag
nitudc, it answers itself The govern.
ment has only to say who shall not 60.
If the war is Of gigantic proportions, then
1T answers itself to a certain degree.
Hundreds of thousands rush to arms, and
the movement pauses Why? Because
those who arc loft behind arc less pofriot.