Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1863-10-16


sible.
1t was at one time in contemplation
by the government. to consolidate the
deeimnted regiment as far as could be
done, as a measure Of relief, and as the
surest means at hand, Of securing the
most effective service with the limited
number of troops then at the command
Of the government. Such a measure,
however necessary aud justfiable it may
have at the moment seemed, would have
been most unjust to the war-worn and
noble men and officers, who had go
bravely and faithfully done their duty.
1t was not their fault that their ranks
were tbinned; it bespoke the highest
commentator for their fortitude and
courage, and hence, it was but just to
those veteran regiments, that their or
CARNATIONS should be preserved, and
they be permitted, if possible, to fight
under the same associations, aud side by
side with tried and familiar comrades,
rather than be consolidated with strang-
er troops, and under unried command
ers. Fully approaching the justice Of
this measure, and the advantages to be
derived from it, in May last, my prede-
cessor called the attention of the Secre-
tary of War to the importance of filling
the ranks of the veteran regiments with
new recruits, rather than consolidate the
regiments in the field, and augment the
army by new regiments for service. The
Secretary of War adopted the sugges-
ton, and decided to appropriate the
avails Of the then approaching draft to
the recruiting of the old regiments. 1t
was hoped that sufficient men would thus
be realized to meet the demand. The
result of the draft, however, shows that
only about one-fourlh Of the requisite
number of men has been furnished.
Opportunity has more recently been
offered by the government, through the
agency of recruiting officers, to enlist
men to fill these regiments, offering as
inducement large bounties, both to vet
Grams and new recruits, to enlist. 1t be-
comes, therefore, more imperatively the
duty Of the State, and of every patriotic
citizen, to aid this effort by every means
in their power.
THE DRAFT.
Under the act Of congress, approved |
March Sd, 1868, providing for enrolling
md calling out the National forces, and
or other purposes" the militia of this
State were duly enrolled in June last,
md draft was ordered to be made IN
ler the direction Of officers appointed By
he United States government. The
right of the government to
adopt this method of raising troops, has
Jeen called in question, and serious en-
have arisen, in consequence
IF organized efforts in various parts Of
he country to resist the draft. Studi-
)us efforts have been made to throw obi
I'M upon the measure, by characterizing
t as CONSUMPTION, and by this means to
letter citizens from yielding that cheerful
to the demands of the law,
which, more than ever, in this terrible
,risis, it was their duty TO do.
The law, SO far from being a coscrip-
ion, in any sense charged against it, is
elieyed entirely Of all that was odious
nder the old French system, and only
,rovides, in the mildest form known to
history, the simple aud most equitable
orm Of draft, with the addition Of
easonable and mild Communication, SO
in amount as to place it with
n the power Of men Of limited means
wen, to avail themselves Of the proyis-
on. There can be no doubt, under any
air aud reasonable Interpretation Of the
but that Congress had the
lear and obvious power to resort to this
node OF raising men to replenish the
wasted army. Independently, however,
# all questions of Constitutional author
ty, it is the law Of the land, and as such,
S entitled to the obedience and respect
# the citizens Of the government, until,
n the proper and legitimate method, it
S judicially determined to be unconstitu-
ional, and therefore void.
The quota assessed to this State, to be
aised under the act, was AIS. OF this
lumber only 984 have entered the SER
ice or furnished substitutes, and 1888
ave paid the Communication. There has
hus been paid, by the citizens of this
State, into the Treasury of the United
states, about $55O,0OO 90.
The men raised by the Draft have
cen sent to the 2nd Sd, and 4th regi-
lents, excepting 164, performing duty
/ Brattleboro.