Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1863-05-13
CHARGE FROM JUDGE PEARSON


CHARGE FROM JUDGE PEARSON.
GENTLEMEN OF THE GRAND jury THE ex-
igency of the times, and my great anxiety
to benefit the country and shelter the CON-
munity from impending evil, nrust be my
apology tor travelling out of the ordinary de-
scription OF crimes and misdemeanors, and
calling your attention, and through you that
OF the people at large, to the danger of viola
ting certain recently enacted laws of Congress,
passed for the purpose of enabling the Gov
ernment to carry on successfully the war for
national existence, in which we are now un-
fortunately involved. To meet the immense
demands on the public treasury, and raise the
necessary funds to maintain the national cred
il, heavy taxes on the business and certain
descriptions of property have been imposed
by Congress. The measure was Indispensable
without which, or some one of kindred char
acter, the wheels of Government would come
TO a dead stand. Although this is we'll known
20 every person of ordinary intelligence, yet
certain designing Individuals, for unpatrotic
and sinister purposes, have raised public
camor against the tax Nh the view of rem
dering it unpopular, and in many parts of the
country the people are urged to elude its as
sessment and resist its collection. In coun-
try protesting to be governed by laws, every
evasion of their obligation or resistance to
their enforcement is a violation of the high
es, moral duty of the citizen. His only pro-
lection for life, liberty, or property, is to be
found N he law and ha with M rroor;a
iy claim its shelter, if he contemns its sane
tons, or evades its responsibilities. These
tax laws do not ia II upon the real property of
the country. Congress considered that sufi-
ciently burdened by the State, county and
municipal taxes, but they imposed it on the
business of the dealer, the manufacturer and
the professional man, and more especially on
incomes, salaries, moneys at interest, stocks,
snd obligations of various kinds aud forms.
The burden should be met cheerfully and the
tax paid honestly, for never had this country
greater necessity for the aid of the citizen In
return for the protection which he has recev-
ed 1t is not only the moral and legal duty
TO which 1 desire to call your attention, but
also to apprise you that the law contains Sc
we're legal sanctions, and imposes heavy pen
sities against those who make false statements,
or resist its execution.
The law providing for a sy stem of conscrip-
ton, TO fill the ranks of the army, has been
the subject of severe animadversion. This |
opposition, doubtless, arises in part from an
honest difference of opinion among our citi !
feus as TO the best method of effecting the |
object, but is pressed manly BY those who, |
out OF disafection to the Government, or SYM
patoy with the rebellion, are opposed to any |
system which would strengthen the military |
force OF the country.
Ihe act provides for enrolling the whole |
militia of the United States, and exacts SER
vice from all able bodied men between the |
ages Of twenty and forty FIVE, with a very few |
exceptions. They are divided into two clas-
sesi those between the ages of twenty and |
'hIrty-nve form the first, and those above tbir- |
E-nVe the second class. The requisite draft |
"'o be made, in the first place, from the |
Younger class, until it is exhausted, after |
which the elder may be called into service. |
ine failure TO serve in person or by a substi-
'ofe will probably subject the delinquent to
one Of three hundred dollars. The act pro-
"oes severe penalties against any resistance
70 The draft, or counselling, or advising any
one to resist it. or not to appear at the place
VI rendezvous, or perform military duty, and
Furnishes with severity any assault on the Of
ncers engaged in making 1t or obstructing
'nenl in the performance of their duty. The
sane statute also imposes heavy Ene, and a
'Ohg term of imprisonment on any one who
'nai procure, entice, or counsel soldier in
Tue service of the United States to desert, or
'ao Shall harbor, conceal, or give employ
~eot to deserter, or aid him to escape from
'He service, knowing him to be such, and you
"" understand that this applies even to the
"'afest relative harboring and concealing
'eser'er, unless it might be to the case of
VIE concealing her husband ; so that it is the
GUIDED duty of every one knowing that de-
''''ef is on or about their premises to give
Immediate notice thereof to some provost
'rshai, or other officer of the United States.
e'! citizen must bear in mind, that combi-