Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-03-12
The $500 Exemption Clause I'm the
ConscriptiOn Act-Pubiic Meeting of
the Germans in Chicago.

On Saturday evening Feb. 2cth, the German
Workingmen's Association, of Chicago, assem-
bled at their hall in that city, and adopted an
emphatic protest against the Conscripton Law
just passed by Congress. Over one thousand
persons present, and the resolutions were
adopted unanimously, as follows:
WHEREAS. Section IL of the Conscription Bill
contains provision by which all persons who can
pay $500 are permitted to buy themselves free
from the blood tax due TO their country; and,
Whereas, BY such provision, $500 are placed
at par with the life-bloOd of the poor man, who
is unable to send a substitute into the field; and
Whereas, Such privilege granted to money
is subversve of the Fundamental principle OF the
republic i'm which all must have equal rights and
duties and
Whereas, Such building up of distinctions will
necessarily array one part OF the population
against the other, and may ultimately lead TO the
war of classes, 30 much to be deprecated by every
true friend OF humanity aud civilization; and.
Whereas, Nothing can be more unjust than
laying the burden of military service on the poor
and exempiing the rich from IL, though the latter
have more ut stake in this war, and are, indeed,
more interested in the preservation of this Union
in financial point OF view; and,
Whereas, The right and duty of defending ouI
country il of such holy and unattainabe char
acter that nothing can and should absOlve from
~
eternal disgrace 90 the American Republic to in
troduce a system of military substitution. thereb,
DENYING the great principle OF universal liability
To military service which ever in the monarchia
countries of Europe-as for instance in Prussia
Is being enforced with iron rigor, so that no cti
zen can escape doing military service, either b.,
paying money or in any other way.
Resoired. |. That we. the laboring masses o
Chicago. ask most earnestly our Congress, in tn
interest of the Republic aud their own. to SCI
section l3 of the couscription bill immedatel
repealed, aud in its place the principle OF uni
veIsh liability 10 military duty unconditional
established. rs il is done 10y the CONSUMPTION lav
of Prussia.
2 That we request the President OF the Unite,
States to call back to his mind the past. that
was the laborers OF the North who did eject him
and that they expect him to take care lest thei
rights and interests are sacrificed the inter
ests and cowardly demands of capital aud riches
and, il necessary, 10 veto the bill itself
3. That We shall hold our Representatives il
Congress personally responsible, in case that dis
graceful $500 clause is not repealed. aud that ",
shall bring them to account of their stewardship
OF our interest
4. That the neglect with which Congress an,
the majority of the public press have been treat
ing the people. interest. during the discussion
the CONSUMPTION bill. by not paying any attention
10 IL most odious features and defending tn
poor against them. seems 10 u fact sgnitcan
OF the corruption aud OF the forgettuncss OF thos
dute- which they ought 10 observe ia regard Il
the rights aud interests OF the laborug classes.
) That Il i high time for the people to awake
from their lcthargy. and to make known thei
will clearly and polntedl, to their public servants
Who seem to have become unmindful OF the
masters. the sovereign people.
The resolutions were adopted without dissent
after which the as-emblage listened to speechs
from Peter shrimp, Esq, DR. Lercdcke and Mcssr
kuoblcslord. Strauss and others. explanatory q
the resolutions aud commenting upon the mpor
ancc oi the 18th clause
Az the conclusion OF the addresses. II was ~
nounccd that the resolutions being tel,
graphci to the President At Washington, aud III
Chairman read the receipt OF the telegraph Office
which cost s3i. and vas paid 10y the German
Wofkngmens Association,