M'arthur Democrat. (McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1853-1865, 1863-03-19
The COnsCriptiOn Act as
the Law Passed.

TUG NHLlonH lorces, huu lOr OlPer
purposes:
WHEREAS, There now exists in the
United States an insurrection and re.
beIlion against the authority thereof,
and it is, under the Constitution Of
the United States, the duty Of the
GOvernment to suppress inSurrection
and rebellion, to guarantee to each
State q republican form ofgovernmeht,
and to preserve the public tranquility;
and whereas, for these high purposes,
a military force is indispensable, to
raise and support which all persons
ought willingly to contribute, and
whereas, no service can be more
praiseworthy and honorable than that
which is rendered for the mainten.
ance Of the Constitution and Union,
and the consequent preservation of
free government, therefore
Be ID enacted By the Senate and
House Of Representatives. Of tie
United States of america in Con.
gre88 assembled, That all able bodied
male citizens OF the United States and
persons of foreign birth who shall
have declared on oath their intention
to become citizens under and in pur.
suance OF the laws thereof, between
the ages oftwenty and forty five years,
except az hereinafter excepted, are
hereby declared to constitute the ma.
tional forces, and shall be liable to
perform military duty in the service
Of the United States when called out
by the President Tor that purpose.
SEQ. 2. And be it further enacted ,
That the following persons be, and
they are hereby, excepted and exempt
from the provisions of this act, and
shall not be liable to military duty
under the came, to-wit; Such as are
rejected as physically or mentally
unfit for the service also, first, the
Vice President of the United States,
the Judges of the various Courts OF
the United States, the heads Of the
various Executive Departments Of the
Government, and the Governors Of
the several States. Second, the only
son liable to military duty Of a widow
dependent upon his labor for support
Third, the only son OF aged or infrn
parent or parents dependent upon his
labor Tor support. Fourth, where
there are two or more sons OF aged or
infrm parent or parents subject to
draft; the father, or, if he be dead, the
mother may elect which son shall be
exempt. Fifth, the only brother of
children not twelve years old, having
neither father or mother. dependent
upon his labor for support. Sixth,
the father Of motherless children, under
twelve years Of age, dependent upon
his labor for support. Seventh, where
there are q father and sons in the
same family and household, and two
of them are in the military service OF
the United States as non commissioned
officers, musicians or privates, the
residue Of the family and household,
not exceeding two, shall be exempt.
And no persons but such as are here.
in excepted shall be exempt; Provj.
ded, h0weUer, That no person who
has been convicted Of any felony shalI |
be enrolled or permitted to serve in
said forces.
SEC. 3. And be it further enacted,
That the National forces of the United
States not ntfw in the military service
enrolled under this act, shall be divi.
dec, into two classes, the first Of which
~ y prise all persons subject to
duty between the ages of
| thirty-fve years, and all
HE' HE . Ts o,l persons subject to do mill
"NF sUGA' II above the age OF thirty-fve
Nj, the age of torty-fve; the
IS shall comprise all other
;ect to do military duty /;
. not, in any district, be
D service Of the United
nose of the first class
n called.
d be it further enacted,
4ter convenience in en-.
g out end organizing the
IS, and for the arrest OF
"a spies Of the enemy, the
.ps shall be divided into
which the District of Col
constitute one, each ter
United States shall con
.Oflhn Var more, as the President
and each Congressiona
the respective States
by a law of the State mex
the enrolment, shall coz
te; Provided, That in State
CIT M ave not by their laws beer
A' into two or more Congress
tricts, the President Of tn,
.t. btates shall divide the sam,
nany enrolment districts a
l AEeNeem fit and convenient.