Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1863-07-31
FOR Coy ERNoR
S 4 NJ L L l. { O y \
OF AUGUSTA.
The Draft.

The Draft.
The Conscription Act now being put
in operation is trying the patriotism Of
the people as it has not heretofore been
tried. Its impartial demands upon the
rich and the poor, the loyal and the dis
loyal. should commend it to the good sense
of all men. But it is not 80. From the
first. many thought that the draft was the
faircst method to raise troops for the
Union armies. Bat when this, at last has
come, many of its former admirers, to use
a cant phrase, can't see it These men
make more objections than they did
against the volunteer system. Let any
method, that of the most just and Of the
most impartial kind be adopted, and men
will find fault, To some, this comes as
natural as the disposition to fight comes
to cats and dogs. Nothing will suit the
confirmed grumbler, or the natural cow
ard, or the oleaginous coppcrhead. Moth
ing but cowarlly surrender of all that
makes our nationality worth preserving,
or our manhood worth owning will suit
the latter. With them patriotism has be-
come an absolcte term, and manhood a
Jest. Bat to the traly Union man, this
test will be met as every other test is met,
by firmly ana pattiotically answering the
demand made upon him by his country
If he is called, he will, if it is possible,
@ where duty calls. If he cannot leave
his business, or those depending upon him,
he will DO the next best thing, obtain a
substitute. None but the cowardly and
the di.Ioyal will leave for the British
Provinces, or parts unknown, to eyade
this duty. None should pay the commu-
tation fee, that can procure substitute
or can go himself.
There are ealamities that may befall 4
nation, more to be dreaded than extne-
ton; there are records made by inliyl-
uals, more heavy to bear ana more to be
dreaded than death in battle, or in the
path of duty. The soldiers Of the rey5-
luton, have, to a man, been justly esteem-
ed as patriots to the nation, and treated
accordingly. The traitor Arnold has been
held in contcmpt; ana his end and mem
DRY have been pointed at as that most be-
fitting traitor. lie was never respected
by the British, even. The tories Of the
Revolution sneakcd away to Nova SEQ
tia to avoid the duty Of defending their
country aud ircsides. So the men of to.
day who are i" s'lelallling," are making
up record that Will stick to them for a
generation. They will be called, if they
ever should return, to meet the taunts Of
Of the boys at every turn in the street,,
and will be justly ignored by the patriotic
everywhere. There Is no way to cya4c
the test imposed upon the abIc-bolied,"
honorably, as there is but one true course
to pursuc-that is to meet it like patr-
OTIS. 1t is just as much the duty of such
to 90 to the field Of battle and defend the
government that has protected them, as it
was for those that went nine or twenty
four months since. We have men who
have been for months in the van of the
fight, setting those remaining at home
glorious example; and We horestly be-
licve, they have nearly accomplished the
work Of subduing the rebellion. Let those
now at home, then, hasten to assist in flu
ishing the glorious work, going with will
ling hearts and hands to assist in giving
the las; blow to the shareholders rebel.
lion.