Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1862-09-10

M,ss.. Ens. DEMOCRAT 81 News:
GrSrs:-It is not my place to lind
fault with this or that measure, this or
Tho other officer, either civil or military.
Neither do wish to, especially at this
the mos, trying and gloomy moment IN
the history Of our once happy, but now
distracted country. Yet there arc and
will be. at times, measures recommended
and acted upon by our legislature 'hat
we all as a free people, bave the night 10
express our opinion upon. one OF
which is the Recommendation OF our
Governor in bis late message 10 the ieg
islature. to exempt from draft some re-
Iigious bodies residing in our State,upon
tie payment of a fixed sum OF money to
the State. Now, sirs, it is with surprise
bordering on Indignation, that nine
ten,hs Of the people read this part ofthe
message. At this awful crisis OF our
coun,ry's peril, of what moment is
money or property in exchange for men,
and muske,s. Then again where IS the
Justice of such law! Many mems
names are published, and very justly
too. in what is called the sneak list, who
ma, lat least some oi them) have equal
Ground for excuse, but who have not
the money or would no doubt either
nav liked SUN than to have their names
thus pnt in rrint. The ending Of such
a law would be nothing more nor les
than granting privilege to one man OF
community, because they bad money
and DENYING the same to another be
cause, IN the providence of God, he hap
pens to be poor. Why should the pc
cnliar conscientious views of one mar
who happens to be associated with 1
society whose wealth il counted by MI
ions, exempt him from defending h's
pr perry and family by pay ng two o
three hundred dollars, any more thai
the poor man who IS obliged to toll day
by day to support and protect those de
pendant upon him, and who may Lav'
religious scruplcs against fighting, bu
who has not the money to purchase hi
exemption from draft! Suppose tn
rebel army should finally work thei
way into the State where we have frou
five to fifteen hundred in different loca
tons, of these individuals who dom
wish to fight. It thci
property or persons shonlo
be attacked | am inclined to think tha
they would cut fine fignre standing il
some secure place with their hand
thrust in their pockets saying to Others
90 in YOU poor devils; protect me AM
mine; have paid my money and tn
Governor and legislature says you mus
fight, aud If needs he, loose your live
to We mine Why =? because / hav
religious scrnrles and money! Yo
may have the religion but lack th
money. l tell you, Messrs. Editors, til
member of the present Legislature tina
shall vote for this ridiculous measure
it were better that he never had bee
born, only that it may have relieved
near relative, especially if he il lookln
after another Office, tor the people wi
boost bin so far off the line of promo
ton that the trump of Gabriel could nc
cal him on the track again, thong
fools should be selected fer candidate
The people are in for sustaining tn
Government, we don't wish to sell on
-ors and brothers for money and tn
man that is able bodied and don't wis
to stand his chance not only in none
but in person to protect the flag tina
has protected him-let him pack up an
walk! The same r. ad that brought hin
here will take him back, provided til
Governor gives linn pass.
T. j. Ii.