Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1863-09-02
CONSCRIPTION.


The first Conscription bill ever proposed to
the Congress of the United States was framed
by George Washington himse If, in 1870. This
bill was more severe than the later one pre-
pared by Monroe, or even the present law
He proposed TO make all free male inhabi-
iants, between the ages of eighteen and sixty,
liable TO service, except actual mariners, and
those exempted by the laws of the respective
States. All who were liable to service were
to be divided into three classes, viz
(l) All between eighteen and twenty-one.
(2.) All between twenty one and forty five.
(3.) All between fGrty-f and sixty.
They were to he divided into legions, regi-
ments, com panies and sections, the latter to
consist of twelve persons each. When it be-
came necessary to raise men for an army they
were to be furnished by the classes from eigh-
teen to forty FIVE. Drafted persons were to
serve three years as regulars, and the liberty
OF procuring substitutes was guarded against
abuse by stringent regulations. Persons be-
longing to the third class were 10 be called
into active service only in cases of actual in
yasion rebellion.
ton, on whose patriotism the shadow of doubt
never rested, recommended the adoption of
permanent rule that those who in youth de-
cline or refuse to subject themselves to the
course of military education established by
the laws should be considered as unworthy Of
public trust or public honors, and be excluded
therefrom accordingly" He also believed
n. n Il
right TO compel the citizens OF the several
States TO bear arms in its defence, and .sthe
right TO regulate the service on principles OF
equity for the general defences.''
The Conscription bill prepared by Mr.. Non
roe in 1914, differed in man, respects from
Washington's. Its principal feature was the
propostio to divide the entire free male pop
ulation between the ages of eighteen and forty
five into classes of one hundred persons each
Each class, in the event OF hostiIities, was to
furnish one man tor the war within thirty days
after the classification, and to replace him in
the event of casualty. In case of failure to
comply with the law: draft was to take place
in the delinquent class. The men thus draft
ed were to serve regulars. as was the case
III " p'ohs anu aS sum "CiC no
longer to be considered as subordinate to
State authority
4 substitute for Mr.. Monroe's bill was pro-
posed in Congress by Mr.. Giles. 1t was made
a test question in 1914, and received the hear
ty support of the Democratic party, both in
Congress and in the country at large. But
for the conclusion of peace it would have
baa bx .yftb
which the Democratic members insisted or
engrafting upon the original bill, .sauthori-
zing the President, in case of neglect or refu-
sal of the Governors of the State to execute
the provisions of the law. to call irectly on
the militia officers of the State to carry them
into effect.''
The same questions of nstitutionality
which are now the subject of controversy be-
tween the General Government and the 6 ov-
ernors of some of the States, were iercely ag-
itated during the war of 1872. 1t was held
by the Governor of Connecticut that the mi
ltia could not be called out upon the requi-
sition of the General Government, except in
case of actual invasion, and that when called
into the field they could not be taken from IN
Uoi tue VI dppoiutSo Ug tuo
States, or placed under the immediate orders
of an officer of the United States army. This
will be recognized at once as precisely the
position occupied by the Copperheads of to-
day, who, in their zeal to weaken the arm of
the Government, and thus insure the success
OF the rebellion, are not ashamed TO procure
their weapons by breaking into the armory OF
the old Hartford Convention. twas also held
by the Governor OF Connecticut that the pri-
vate soldiers could not be legally detached
from the bodies to which they belonged when
called into the service. These absurd claims,
which, if allowed, would have destroyed the
military power of the country, received the
sanction of the Council and Legislature of the
State. In Massachusetts the Judges of the
Supreme Court declared that the power of de-
Gliding whether the exigency existed which
would Justify the Government ii calling out
the militia belonged exclusively to the State.
The President, in his Message to Congress
of November 4, 1872, strongly disscnted from