The weekly Butte record., 1863-04-18
OUR EASTERN LETTER.
[EDI1oR1AL coRREsrosDExcE.7


Another week Of inactivity with the army
has passed. Not so with the people. however,
Those of New York have re affirmed their YER
dict Of last fall By tens Of thousands, and even
New Hampshire, where two Democratic can
didaies were run for Governor, came within
700 votes Of having a majority for one of them
As no candidate had majority Of the votes
cast, the election goes to the House, which is
Republican The Democracy gain Congress
man, however, and will make q clean sweep
next year.
The Senate have passed the couscription
bill Just as it came from the House. 1t is,
therefore, law, excepting the signature of the
President. Democratic speeches were made
against the bill. The principal propositions
of the new law may be summed up thus: All
male persons between eighteen and forty FIVE,
excepting idiots and those convicted of crime.
are to be enrolled aud subject to draft by or
der of the Presidents the supporter of widow
ed mother or the father of small motheress
children, are exempt il drafted. All other per-
sons drafted can be released from the draft by
paying $500 or less, if the War Department
shall decide on a smaller sum the provost
marshal 3, who are to be appointed to enforce
the conscription, may arrest without warrant,
all persons charged with reasonable practices,
but such persons must be turned over immedi-
Il IL 4.
charges. The other provisions of the bill re-
late to courts martial, consolidation of reduced
regiments, ETC. We doubt very much whether
the following unjust and odious section will not
meet with almost universal condemnation
SEC. Is. And be it further enacted, That
any person drafted aud notified to appear as
aforesaid may, on or before the dav fixed for
his appearance, furnish an acceptable substl-
tute to take his place in the draft, or be may
pay to such persons as the Secretary of War
may authorize TO receive it such sum. not ex-
ceeding three hundred dollars, as the Secretary
may determine, for the procuration Of such
substitute ; and thereupOn such person so fur
nlShing the substitute or paying the money
shall be discharged from further liability under
that draft. And any person failing to report
after due service of notice. as herein prescribed,
without furnishing substitute or paying the
sum required therefor, shall be deemed de-
serter, and shall be arrested BY the provost
marshal and sent to the nearest military post
for trial by court martial, unless, upon proper
showing that be is not liable to do military
duty, the Board Of Enrolment shall relieve
him from the draft.
While the passage of some such law might
seem necessary under existing circumstances,
such provisions will not meet with public ap-
proval. 1t opens war of determination upon
the poor class. and enables those who have the
means to avoid military service to pursue
course calculated to make the war intermina.
bic without apprehension Of being called to
fight its battles. Did the law require every
man drafted to perform military service, with
out pointing out way for him 10 avoid it,
there would be power in the land that would
be careful how it provoked rebellion, but ire
sistable in putting it down when it had shown
its hydra head. 1t may be equal and exact
justice between American citizens, to compel
the one who cannot pay three hundred dollars,
to do military duty, and relieve the one who
can from such duty, but it does not appear so
to me. Perhaps Repubicansm is right in
thus saying that all who are worth three hun
dred dollars are too valuable to become food
for powder but we trust the next Congress
will repeal the odious provision at least In
war for simply restoring the legitimate and
constitutional authority of the revoted States,
we believe the people are too patriotic and
loyal to require conscription law. Law abb
ding citizens will submit to its provisions,
however, while it remains on the statute book.
About three fourths of the drafted men in
one of the northern counties of this State have
left for parts unknown to the drafting commits
sioner. They have, undoubtedly. been reading
Republican papers for the past six or eight
months, and came to the conclusion to which all
who continue such a course of reading must,
sooner or later, inevitably arrive, viz: That,
the best service they can possibly render the
United States Of America is to emigrate to
Canada.
The Governor of Massachusetts, is endeavor.
ing to raise regiment of negroes in Rhode
Island, wherewith to assist in filling the quota
of his State. There is no danger of the Re-
publicans of Massachusetts, having their heads
carried off in fight, for their legs won't carry
them to it. OF course we do not mean those
in the army, for they are patriotic and brave,
but those who remain at home, and whose
cowardly pressure is on the President.
At Calumet, small hamlet few miles this
side of Chicago, it was announced that Rev.
Mr.. Copp, former Chaplain in the army,
would speak the next evening. Quite large
audience was in attendance at the appointed
time. The speaker took the stand, unbuttoned
his coat, took from his side pocket navy re-
revolver, laid it by the side of the Holy Book.
and said that his subject would be " Bullets
L