Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1862-05-28
The Conservation Act,

.-5. ANO SVuSCEIptlUu (ACts
= We publish to-day the list of exemptions under
the HConscript law, by the Secretary of Var
anxious inquirers" on the subject can see for
themselves who are and who are not exempts.
Gov. Brown, of Georgia, has announced it as his
opinion that the Conscription Act sis not only sub
versive OF the rights and sovereignty of the States,
but is papable violation of the Constitution of the
Confederate States, and to that extent void and of
no binding force upon the officers of the militia of
Georgia" In a general order issued by hin, he
says:
The language of the Conscription Act lately
passed by Congress is general and embraces the
Officers of the Militia of the States as well as the
priuGtes. But the States having by the 10th para
graph of the Sth Section of the 1st Article of the
Constitution of the Confederate States expressly
reseroed to themselves not only the appointment Of
the Officers OF the Militia nAen employed in the
seroice Of the Confederate States, but each State
having also reserved to herself the authority of
training her own militia according to the discipline
prescribed by Congress-which cannot be done
without of6cers-and there being no vacancy that
can be filled oy another in case an officer Of the
Militia is carried out of the State as "Conscript"
without his consent which if done generally, would
entirely destroy the Military organization of the
State and prevent her from exercising her reserved
authority of training her militia at time when
the safety of her people absolutely requires that
this should be done to prevent internal insurrec-
tons, that may occur at any moment without strict
military police regulations the Com
mander.i Chief after careful consideration of this
question, holds, that the Conscripton Law, so far
as it interferes with the officers of the militia in the
discharge of their duties by attempting to reduce
them to the ranks and place them under officers in
Confederate service 10y which Major General of the
militia, for instance, might be forcbly taken from
his command and placed under the lowest subaltern
appointed by the President, under the penalty of
death if he refuses to serve is not only subversve
of the rights and sovereignty of the States, but is
palpable violation of the Constitution of the Coned
crate States, and to that extent void and of bind
ing force upon the officers of the militia of Georgia.
lie therefore commands every militia officer in
commission in this State to report by written COM
munication, directed to Henry C. Wayne, Adiu-
tant and Inspector General at Milledgevile" speci-
fying in his report, his rank, the number of his Dis
trict, the date of his commission. the county Of his
residence; and his postofice. Those who thus re-
port are directed not to enroll themselves as "con-
scripts" but to continue actively in the vgilant
discharge of their respective duties as officers Of the
militia Those who report as herein directed and
only those will be protected by the State against
the operation of the Conscrption law"
The Governor of Georgia, it is seen, interposes
and practically nullics the law far as is
ry to retain the militia officers of the State and the
existing organization of the militia. He has also
refused to have anything to do with enrolling the
conscrpts, but leaves this business in the hands of
the Confederate government That he will be sus
tanned in this course by vast majority Of the pec-
pie of Georgia. we entertain no doubt
The Georgia Telegraph is much excited against
the Governor for the course he has thought proper
to pursue and very plainly intimates that the Con-
federate Government has the power to coerce GeOr-
gia but says it would be better to leave "the whole
matter of notification, insurrection and insu6ordi
nation to the Confederate Government, to the cor
recting hand of time and public opinion" That
paper says:
"What but endless confusion and trouble can
come Of such proceedings as this? Suppose the
Confederacy should insist upon vindcating its con-
temned authority ty-exercised in pursuance of our
own sanction and consent through our own repre-
sentatives? Why, then we should have two wars
upon our hands before the month is out
But if she wnks at the contempt then she is
equally bound to wink at oil contempt of her author
ity; ard schat IN that case sciW she be worA
government? government is worth nothing for
or protection unless she can first protect herself
But you say the Confederacy will not attempt to
protect herself against Georgia at time when she
Is up to her elbows in blood against common enc.
my! That is extremely probable; but it does not
console generous mind that such time should
have been selected to snub and insult the govern
ment."
The Telegraph, in the above extract has advanced
nothing more nor less than the Lincoln doctrine! !!
What will the federal government be worth as a
government" says Mr.. Lincoln, "unless it can pro-
tect itself against rebellion and insubordinaton
And this from an original secessionist this from
one of the champions of State rights and State SOW
ereigntv! The Telegraph forgets, or, if it remem-
bers, it abjures the doctrine that under our form
of government the States are absolutely independ-
ent, and can nullify or seccde at pleasure. What
power exists that can say to Georgia that Georgia
shall not do as she pleases?
The want of forecast, which it is said rendered
this act necessary, is without example in the histo-
ries of nations struggling for independence. The
dullest man that ever pitched crop looks more to
the future, and makes better provision for it in his
particular vocation, than appears to have been done
by our common government in matter gravey,
and perhaps vitality affecting our success.
This unconstitutional and oppressive conscrip
ton act passed in secret session. and the people
do not vet know how their representatives voted on
it. Let us hare the yeas and nays. State secrets
on subject which nearly and vitality concerns every
man, woman, and child in the Confederate States
cannot be maintained consistently with the spirit OF
the principles of liberty. If the people are not per
mitted to know how their representatives vote or
questions submitted and passed upon, they canno
hold them, it is their right and duty to do, to al
accountability for their conduct; and if the repre-
sentatiye is not accountable to his constituents fo
what he does or omits to do, then our system Of |
| free government Is failure
Lincoln has announced by proclamation that Of
the 1st Of June next, the ports Of Beaufort, N. G.
Port Royal, S. c., and New Orleans will be open t.
the commerce of the world. What amount of com
merce does he suppose they can furnish?