Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1863-10-13

IL 49, theIeIOIej uuly inc state owes 10 inc
Government, that these regiments should be
filled as speedily as possible. Every consider
alton Of patriotism justice to the noble men
who have borne the burdens OF the fight hitherto,
and whose ranks have been tninned by the hero.
ic and fearless exposures to the FIRE of the enemy
the honor of the State, all, conspiro to heighten
the obligation which the State is under, to urge
new and fresh recruits into the ranks as rapid |
ly as possible.
Ii was at one time in contemplation by the
government, to consolidate the decimated regi.
ments as far as could be done, as measure of
relief and as the surest means at hand, Of Sc.
curing the IN st effective service, with the limit
ed number of troops then at the command OF
the Government. Such measure, however
necessary and just6eable 1t may have al the
moment seemed, would have been most unjust
to the war-w0rn and noble men and officers,
who had SO bravely and faithfully done their
duty, 1t was not their fault that their ranks
were thinned it bespoke the highest common.
dation Tor their forttude and courage, and
hence it was but just to those yeter
an regiments, tnat the organizations
should be preserved and they be permit
ted, ii possible to fight under the same associa-
TONS and side by side with tried and familiar
comrades, rather than be consolidated with
stranger troops, and under untried commanders,
Fully approaching the justice OF this measure,
and the advantages to be derived IRON it, in
May last my predecessor called the attention OF
the Secretary Of War to the importance OF filling
the ranks of Inc veteran regiments with new
recruits, rather ihan consolidate the regiments
in the field, and augment the army by new reg
iments for service. The Secretary OF Wa
adopted the suggestion, and decided to appro
= pirate the avails Of the then approaching draft
to the recruiting of the old regiments. IL wa
| hoped that sufficient men would thus be realized
to meet the demand Tho result Of the draft
however, shows that only about ore.lourth o
the requisite number Of men has been furnished
Opportunity has more recently been otfere
, by the Government, through the agency OF re
Q cruiting officers, to enlist men to fill these req
ments offering as inducements, large bountie:
:, both to veterans and new recruits to enlist
J becomes, therefore, more imperatively the dut
5 OF the State, aud Of every patriotic citizen, /
$ aid this etioit by every means in their power.
e THE DRAFT.
: Under the Act ct Congress, approved Marc
a Sd, 1868, providing " for enrolling and oallin
out the National forces, and for other purpo ses
lo the militia of this State were duly enrolled
1t June last, and draft was ordered to be mad
rs under tn direction Of officers appointed by Il
IN U. 5. Government. The constitutional right
the Government TO adopt this method of rasir
!" troops, has beCa called in question, and serio
~ embarTassments have arisen, in consequence
organized efforts, in various parts OF the countr
m TO resist the draft. Studious efforts have be-
!; made to throw odium upon the measure,
u characlerlaing it as oonsctipton and by Il
1t, means to deter citizens from yielding that ohet
dc lul compliance to the demands of the la
yo was their duty to do,
w The law, so tat from being a CONSUMPTION,
ny any sense charged against il, Is relieved entire
Of all that was Odous under The old Fren
nv system, and only provides, in the mildest iol
,i- known to history, the simple and most eQuita
form of draft, with the addition OF reast
ny able and mild Communication, SO moderate
ZEN amount as to place it within the power OF III
OF limited means even, to avail themselves
the provision. There can be no doubt unC
any iair and reasonable Interpretation Of |
Constitution, but that Congress had the OH
. and obvious power to resort to this mode
a, raising men to replenish the wasted army.
~ dependently, however, OF all questions of c.
e' sututonal authority, it is the law OF the al
til and as such, is entitled to the obedience and
VIZ spect Of the citizens Of the Government, un
/, IN the proper and legitimate method, it is ju
" cially determined to be unconstitutional, q
Ia therefore void
The quota assessed to this State, to be raj
in under the Act, was 47l5 OF this numb
only 9lS have entered the service or furnisl
an substitutes, and 1888 have paid the commu
ton. There has thus been paid by citizens