Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-07-30
Ths CnnscrInlinn Law.

Inc universal dsl6uIOu HulOu Inc ODu-
scription Law attracts, aud the anxiety
which it awskens, even among the loyal,
iustihes q still further reference to it. It
is hard necessity which calls for its en-
foreement, but the loyal are disposed to
meet that necessity in the spirit Of true
patriotism, for they know that the life Of
the nation is at stake, aad that failure
Of the Government to assert and re-estsb-
lish its authority, will involve a greater
loss and sacrifice to individuals, than any
which the Government calls for from its
loyal sons.
notwithstanding pOrtentous clouds are
dsrkening the horizon of rebeldom, and
brighter skies are banding over the Union
cause, it is indispensable that the arm Of
the Government be kept strong, and that
it may at all times be prepared for quick,
heavy and decisive blows, when and where
needed. To accomplish this, cOnscriptiOn
has become positive necessity. Without
it, the old regiments, thinned by battles
and disease, and expiration Of time, can
not be filled. Efficiency in the service de-
mands the speedy filling Of those regi-
ments. Mingled with experienced, veteran
troops, new recruits soon become as effect
i've as veteran troops themselves. The
slow process Of raising new volunteer
regiments would not answer. Not to pro-
long this unnatural war, to hasten its end,
large bodies Of new troops must be thrown
at once into the service. The drafting has
been delayed by the Government in the
hope of escaping the necessity Of enforc-
ing it, by the organisation Of Negro regi
ments and Union successes. But the fac.
tious course pursued by the malignant
VaIlandigham, mob-exciting Democracy,
prolongs the war and makes drafting ne.
oessary. Were the North truly united
were the Copperhead Democracy loyal ant
true to the Government, this cOnscriptiO1
would not have been necessary.
A cOnscription must, from the nature Of
the case, bear heavily in its exsctiOns, ant
this is one of the calamities which thir
more than wicked, this internal rebellion
has brought upon the people.
The provisions Of the law, humenely aim.
ing to relieve from hardships as much as
possible, exempt the only son Of a widow;
the only son of aged or inhrm parents
where there are two or more SONS Of aged
or infrm parents one may be exempt; the
only brother of orphan children under
twelve years of age; the father Of mother
less children under twelve-an these are
exempt. And where two members of a
household of father and sons, are in SER
vice, the others, not exceeding two, may
be exempt. And the three hundred dol
lars Communication clause, was designed to
aid the moderate, middliug classes, the
poorer members of community. That
clause fixes the maximum price Of a sub.
s6tute. Though substitutes may be hired
for less, no man need pay more. Without
this clause the price for substitutes might
have gone up to five hundred, ten hundred,
or fifteen hundred dollars, or more, in diff
ferent localities according to supply and
demand, putting it entirely beyond the
reach Of the man of moderate means t.
secure an exemption from personal service
if SO inclined. Hence this $500 COmmu
tation clause, is the poor mans friend.
Under this provision, men Of moderate
means, by clubbing together in a sort Of
mutual insurance arrangement, may aid
each other, without being embarIassingly
burdened. Thus, men who desire, may b,
exempt and the Government be furnished
with means to ill the ranks with substi.
tutes, BY offering highly remunerativ,
bouuties as inducements. On this poin
an exchange well remarks:
uLet any twenty, or thirty, OF fort.
e men club together to pay equally the cos
Of substitutes for those sctually drafted, i
they feel that they can not 60, and i
Would hardly be s matter Of above ten o
twenty dollars apiece. This would be