Litchfield enquirer., 1863-03-26

pie of this district are becoming aroused to the emergency of the times, and the safety. of their country. and that they soiA put into their Rep. resentative's seat at Washington man whom they can whosly trust aRd honor!
 The COnscription Law.
 So much is being said by those who wou Id wish to elevate T. H. Seymour to the Guber- natorial Chair of Connecticut, and thus out rage the liberties of the people and the laws of the land, against tbe Act authorizing draft, passed by the last Congress, that we propose very briefly to examine some of it's features, and enquire into the truth or falsity of those assertions, upon which the leaders of the oppo- sition base so much of their hopes of carrying the coming election against tho Government.
 In the first place. it is very fortunately so drawn, as to afford no point to assail it. with out. at the same time. demonstrating the hos tility of the assailant to the Government and his sympathy with the rebels. Our Northern Copperheads, even here in Connecticut, where they are as virulent and reasonable as they well dare be, have not the courage to take an open stand in favor of the rebels. When ever they can iaAict weund upon the Union cause. without having their disguise of t pa triotism" punctured, they strike without hesi- .tation but when it comes to taking position against the country in broad daylight, they shun the ordeal, and sneak behind meaningless protestations of loyalty. e4a ..a .s
 The 'Consc' iption Act was necessity that every patriot conceded. The only question was, how can law be enacted that will be least oppyessise on ths people, and yet most effective in crushing out rebellion? No con. scriptivs law or draft can be put into opera tion without the recurrence of individual cases of hardship, nc more than war can be waged without the shedding of blood. We are con. fdent, however, and make bold to declare, that the Act passed by the last Congress will give rise to fewer cases of peculiar hardship should it become necessary to enforce it-shan any Act of the same kind ever passed by a deliberative body. It is certainly far less stringent in its provisions, and more tender in it's demands, than the Act passed by Con- gress for tho protection of the country, during the administration of Washington. No un. prejudiced mind can come to any other conclu- sion, after careful reading of the law. Its framers appear to hare been guided by an honest desire to have the burden fall alike and equally upon all classes and sections, and la. bored to this end without fear or favor.
 The most persistent attempts are being made by the CopperAead journals and speakers in our State, to prejudice the minds of the igno- rant or minimizing against tho law, because of the 18th Section. which declares that any per. son drafted, "may, on or before the day fixed for hls appearance, lat the place of rendcz- vous] furnish one acceptable substitute to take his place in the draft, or he may pay to such pcrssn as the Secretary of War may autorizs to receive it. such sum, not e.rcceding htree hundred dolla,s, as the Secretary may deter. mine," &c. This, it is argued, virtually exempts the rich, while the poor will be compelled to -go, because of their inability to raise tue $500. Let us look into this claim Q little. .,
 Suppose the three hundred dollar provision was stricken out altogether, would it benefit the poorf Wouldn't the wealthy still have it in their power to procure substitutes 9- Wouldn't the only difference be, that the rich would have to pay an exorbitant price for sub stitutes, while still greater number of honest mechanics and laborers, who might be able to raise the $500, and get exempted under that clause, would be compelled to go into tie ar my on account of the increased price of sub. stitutes? Sc far, then, from deriving any benefit by having that clause omitted from the law. its omission would only oppress the great. CT number. ..
 But, it is further insisted, no sssbstantes ought to be allowed. Every man that is drafted ought to be compelled to go, whether he be rich or peor--that there should be no excep tions. How would that operate? Would the poor derive any benefit from that kind of ar. engagement Under the present law, there are sir distinct classes of exemption-aN U, taror of the poor, and poor only, and not . single one in favor of the rich, unless the $500 clause can De called such. The exemptions iu favor of the poor are a follows :---.!ss 4. lst. The only son of a widow who is de- pen lent on him for support. He is exempted. 2d. The only sou of aged or intirm parents, depending npon hin for support. He is ex- empted. ss9-ys 3d, or two sons or mors, subject to draft, the father or mother may elect whicb shall be exempt
 4th. The only brothsr of orphan children not twelve years old, depending on him fos support. Hs is exempted. 9th. The hther of metherless children under twelve ysars of age. dependent on him for sup. port H | exempted. ; 9th. Whsrs two of the same housshold or family ars already in the service, the otssrs arc