The daily Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1862-1863, 1863-03-13
The Conservation Law.

fault is found with the justice of its pro-
VISIONS. 1t has been drawn mp with
such care that it is very difficult for any
one to assail it, without at the same time
demonstrating his hostility to the Gov
ernment and his sympathy with the reb-
els. Our northern copperheads have not
the courage to take an open stand in
favor of the rebels Whenever they ca n
inaiet a wound upon the Union cause,
without having their disguise of patriot
ism penetrated, they strike without hest
tation; but when it comes to taking
position against the country in broad
daylight, SO that all may see where they
stand, they shun the ordeal and sneak
into their lurking places
The conscription act was necessity
that every patriot conceded. The only
question was, how can law be enacted
that will be least oppressive upon the
people, and yet most effective in crush
ing out the rebellion No CONSUMPTION
law or draft can be put into operation
without the occurrence of individual
cases of hardship, no more than war
can be waged without the shedding of
blood. We are confident, however, that
tie act passed by the last Congress will
give rise to fewer cases of peculiar hard
ship than any act of the same kind ever
passed by any deliberative body No I'M
prejudiced mind can come to anv other
conclusion, after careful reading #
the bill Its trainers appear to lave
been guided BY an honest desire to have
the burden fall equally upon all elias ,es
aud sections, and labored to tLis end
without fear or favor
Some attempts are being made in cur
State to prejudice the minds OF the un-
thinking against the law, because of
clause in the 18th section, which declares
that any person drafted, "may, on or be-
fore the day fixed for his appearance,
at the place rendezvous furnish an
acceptable substitute to take his place in
the draft, or he may pay to such person
as the Secretary of War may authorize
to receive it, such sum, not exceeding
Three Hundred dollars, as the Secretary
may determine" DC. This, it is urged,
virtually exempts the rich, while the poor
will be compelled to go, because of their
inability to raise the $500. Let US ex-
anime into this little
Suppose the three hundred dollar pro
2 vision was stricken out altogether would
it benefit the poor? Wouldn't the wealthy
still have it in their power to procure
substitutes? The only difference it could
make would be, that the rich would have to
pay an exhorbitant price for substitutes,
and still greater number of honest me-
ehanies and laborers, who might be able
to raise the $500, and get exempted under
that clause, would be compelled to 90
into the army on account of the increased
price for substitutes So far, then, from
the poor deriving any benefit by having
that clause omitted from the law, its
omission would only Cypress the greater
number
But, it is further insisted, no substi-
tutes ought to be allowed. Every man
that is drafted ought to be compelled to
20, whether he be rich Or poor-lhat there
should be no exemptions whatever How
would that operate? Would the poor
derive any benefit from that kind of an
arrangement? Under the present law.
there are sig distinct classes Of exemp-
tions-all in favor of the poor, and the
poor oaly-and not single one in favor
o. the rich, unless the $500 clause can
be called such. The exemptions in IA
vor of the poor are as follows:
1st The only son of widow who is
dependent on him for support e
I'd. The only son of aged or infrm pa
rents, depending on him for support.
3d. OF two sons or more subject, to
draft, the father or mother may elect
whlcn snail be exempt
Attn The only brother of orphan chill
dren not twelve years old, depending On
him for support
9th. The father of motherless children
under twelve years of age, dependent on
him for support.
9th. Where two of the same household
or family are already in the service, the
others are exempt
Now, strike out all exemptions. and
what will be the result? The families of
the wealthy would live comfortably and
iuxuriously as usual, while the families
OF such as would have been exempt un.
der the above exceptions. would suffer
for the ordinary accessories of life if thew
did not actually star7e to death. The
rich man might be put 10 some incon-
veniene and hardships, but the poor man
would be compelled to see his loved ones
those who are dearer to him than life
suffering untold agony and distress.