Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-12-28

From the Richmond Examiner o.. December Is.
The astounding propositions which have signal
lied the FIRST DAYS Of this present session, for
placing the entire population of the Confederate
States in the field. leaving 40 producers Of food
10 feed the enormous army SO raised, and no tax
payers to fni the money TO furnish IL. have crea-
ted a considerable sensation. A feeling of de-
spondency has been produced by them among re-
Elective Observers not by the prospect of the
universal ceSsat on of national life and organiza-
ton which the realization of those Wild projects
would certainly csuse-for no one can fail to see
that there i no danger OF re,liziag patent i'm
possibility-but by the singular want of discern
nent which thew Indicate. 1t is difficult to be-
lieve that many members oil Congress really in
tend the establishment of dictatorship in this
country, sill less ~ make Mr.. Davis dictator.
Yet il requires but little reflection 10 perceive that
such law lately suggested in his message. a
suggestion which members of Congress have
taken in trust from it, is nothing more nor less
than that.
An entire nation cannot remain IN the field
more than ,wenty-four hours under the penalty
of death by starvation. A law requiring the
whole population TO take up arms aud 20 into
camp is nullity. Few will dispute the remark
and the President blandly proposed that the
power and discretion should be given him to
detail such persons as he pleased TO continue
the pursuits of civil life. The relative numbers
of those in the army and those out of il. might
not be changed by law of universal enrolment.
il accompanied By this provision. The sole
difference between the present and prospective
condition OF the military force and nation. would
be the change Of "details" for "exempts -
One OF these words designates the persons
who continue the work that must be done
in war and peace. under the authority of law
the others. those who 90 about their business be.
OF the favor OF the President and his Office
holders, great an small. This is proposition
to give them de>potic control over every indi.
vidua in tais country. and TO destroy every check
upon their will he parasites Of power are
pleased with it There exists small faction in
this country who have long clamored for this
measure. because they expect power, profit and
revenge from IT, But il is impossible TO believe
that those who have echoed this cry in some Of
the resolutions offered in Congress intended to DC
so A resolution OF inquiry, fortunately. is moi
a law, and when the force of the measures sug
gesied in the first has been examined. as il mis-
be before il is xed in the last there will be little
danger that Congress will stutify itself or sacr
fee the cause by such insane steps as are now
feared hy many.
The motive Of those who have given quasi
sanction To these projects, is easiie understood
The Confederate army solely needs replenishing
But some means Of effectng that purpose must
be found which is not at once folly and crime
The present army is created by copscription
If the actual conscriptien law does not furnish
sufficient number of men. the natural and IA
tional means OF remedying the defect is to enlarge
the sphere of its action by increasing the age o
conscripts, and diminishing, where it can be dou,
with safety, the exempted class.