Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1863-03-17
The CONSUMPTION Law.

In order that our readers may see and
understand for themselves the provisions
Of the CONSUMPTION law which recently
passed Congress, we lay It before them I'd
full. Let them peruse it carefully, for
it is matter which deeply concerns them.
We regard this as the most odious law
that ever passed the American Congress-
While it is in direct violation TO the cOnsti-
tuition and contrary to the genius Of our
institutions, it is most unequal and unjust
in its requirements. 1t places the life and
liberty of every man in the loyal Slater IN
the hands of the President, thus eufranchis-
ing him with authority and power equal to
that of the Emperor of Russia or any other
kiugly despUt. e.. $685.. O..
To commence with, in o Government
like ours, we are opposed to conscription
laws. We do n t believe in them, nor
shall we give our adhesion to them.
1t might be we'll lie nation governed by
King or 40 Emperor to have conscrip-
/ kiOh III W. Oub VI o aAOO eSONClaADOhhA ANS OSAS
it is entirely different. It is the people here
who constitute the government, and it is
they who make wars, vher hey think it
necessary; aud they Tho az s9thorized to
end The war, whsa IL taeir Judgment it
ought to Ike .haed. - + -
The :, ark Of our contemporary of the
Quincy aid that in o country and under
a government like ours, no war should BE
commenced which the people d. not want
commenced, and no war should be contin~
ued a moment longer than the people are
willing and desire that it should be, is cor.
rect. In any war in this country that is
approved by the people they will f)ck to
its standard and fight its battles, il need lie.
1 If they decline to do 30, the war ought to
stop. #7t7'> .''.a -'.. '''05
Those who are in favor Of the freedom Of
the negroes and a vigorous prosecution Of
the war for that purpose, declare that it is
necessary to maintain the government
This kind Of logic will not answer however.
The government belongs to the people, not
to Abraham Lincoln, and just as long as
the war is necessary to sustain the govern
/. meDt, they will sustain the war, and no
longer. The government belongs to the
people, and its past history has proved that
when they believe thai. lighting is the best
way to maintain it and to vindicate it from
enemies within and without, they wills not
refuse to fight for il. .- .- 'at7'' gT'r
Hence We are opposed to the principle of
transcription :: and maintain that the people
ought not to be dragooned into the field
without their consent. - '.
4 But while we believe that the conscrip,
tion law violates the plain requirements of
the constitution aud tramples under foot
the freedom of the people, its glazing inl
justice to wOrkiugmen is another great
objection to it. A large majority Of the
workingmen are, comparatively speaking,
poor men, unable to raise the three huns
dTed dollars required by the bill as the
price Of exemption. Thus poor men are to
be dragged into the fight, whether they
b,lieye in it or not, while rich men can
escape the onerous duties of military life
: and perhaps death itself, by paying the
insignificant sum of three hundred dol
/ las.
: But as odiOus and inexpedient as we
: deem the CONSUMPTION law, We would moi
counsel resistance to it. Obey all laws say
we, wbether repuguant to our better judg
mcnts or not, and trust to the exegiencies
! of the times to propose relief
If the President deems it necessary Il
: enforce the CONSUMPTION law, we are il
favor of raising q sufficient sum by taxing
, equally the property of each county, t.
Q provide every man who desires il with tbt
: necessary means to buy his exemption. LIE
the county supervisors meet together anc
8 appropriate the money to exempt poor me n
e or give them bounty Of three hundret
u dollars, if they choose to go. 1t nigh
Z work hard on our taxpayers, but it is tn
= only way Of equaliziDg the provision Of tn
e law. 49, ..l a-- .a -