The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1863-07-30
The Draft-How il IL UnderstOod.

8 S. ScHOFF EDITOR
The Draft-How it is Understood.
There is evidently much misapprehension
in the public mind in respect to provisions of
the act of Congress authorizing the draft. 1t
seems to be regarded by many persons, as an
unjust and arbitrary measure for raising men
for the war, and calculated to bear more heav-
! lily upon the poor and laboring classes than
upon the rich. Whoever will take the pains
| to examine the provisions of the law,wlll Ind
that it is as humane as it is possible for con-
scription act to be formed; it appears espec-
ialIv designed to favor the poorer classes
guarding against depriving the unfortunate
and hopeless of the support they need. The
erenlptions from the operations Of the law, are
all intended for the benefit of the poor; among
the most important ofwhich are the following
l. The only son of a widow, or of aged and
infir1n parents, dependant on his labor for her
or their support
2. The only brother Of orphan children, I'M
der twelve years of age, dependent on his la
Dor.
I 8. The father of motherless children, under
twelve years Of age
There are several other provisions going TO
show, that it was the intention Of Congress to
exercise as much liberality towards the poor
and laboring classes, as would be consistent
in realizing the number Of men needed by the
government.
That provision of the law called the $500
clause, has been the subject of much discus
sion, and many have doubtless been misled
in respect to its justice or practical working
Many have supposed by the operation of the
law, the army would be composed Of those
least able to leave their families, because I'M
able to raise the requisite $500. Now this is
| not the effect Of the $500 exemption. Had
there been no specific sum fixed for exemp-
ton at a reasonable amount, the cost OF sub
stitutes would have been open to speculation
and the price might have run up to hive hun
dred and thousand dollars as it did in many
instances one year ago. None but the rich
could afford substitutes where prices are la
bic to range at such high figures. The pres
ent $500 exemption works no oppression to
the laboring classes, but puts them on an equal
footing with the Weather class, as far as it is
practicable so to do. The act of Congress pro-
vides that every drafted man, may obtain a
substitute on as reasonable terms as he can,
and at the same time designs that he shall not
be forced to pay more than $500. Thus are
men of small means protected against the com
petition of those of large means.
The act also makes distinction between
those who do obtain substitutes, and those
who only pay the $500. The man who sim
ply pays his $500, is exempt only from this
draft, but the man who provides a substitute,
is exempt from military duty during the time
for whchhe was drafted such substitute, has
the samepay aud allowances as ifhe had been
originally drafted. No loyal man who has ia
ken pains to examine the CONSUMPTION act, will
ever be heard finding fault with it.
~@S
! TIE kenosha Telegraph says That James b.
channn is IAN imbecie traitor. Well, you have
| a right to think and say 80, and You exerc g
ed that right very freely when James Blu chanan
that Old Buck didn't siege your press and lock
you up, as, according to your own theory, he
should have done = Mi1manker Negs.
Of course we 'have right to think SO"
because the acts of James Buchan~" h"''~
given lis that right, but not only that, bat
have compelled us to kno10 so. Nor will the
Meas honestly Or candidly deny the truth Of
the assertion. No, we have no ''gratitude!'
for James Buchanan being such as he was, the
gratitude was perforce put on his side, that
the loyal people of the country did not lock
him up.
The Re,os only repeats very common er-
ror Of the day, though wilful one, ofputtlng
the innocent and guilty upon the same foot
| ing. We are constantly told that we should
be careful how we condemn or punish trait
ors to the country, because they may come
into power and punish us in retaliation. The
same argument would prevent all punish
ment and abrogate all law. The judge on
the bench may be told that he must not con-
denim the convicted criminal, because the
criminal or his friends may have the power
to retaliate and punish the judge.
When we come to be aiders and abettors of
the open and armed enemies of the country,
and sympathizers with and apologists of reb-
els and armed traitors, we shall expect to be
condemned and punished too, but we don't
expect to ever become such, and we therefore
make no provision for purchasing leniency Or
pardon under such circumstances.
1t has been the misfortune or perversity of
a certain class of people, ever since this &C
cursed and wicked rebellion was inaugurated,
that they could see no difference between a
traitor and a loyal man. All attempts to re-
strain or punish active and well known trea-
son sympathizers are met, by this Glass; with
the argument ad homineBt-how would you
like it This is clincher. or at least is meant
to be- The draft riot III New York is excus
ed by this class on the ground that the adj
ministration has restrained some dangerous
treason sympathlzers, and even while the fires
were still burning and the victims of the
miserable rioters still lay stark and stiff in the
streets where they were murdered, these same
demagogues were taunting the President with
the spectacle; and asking him how he liked
to be punished as he had punished traitors
rs While the Draft riot was at its height
in New York, the Chicago Times thus dis