New-York daily tribune., 1863-08-04
volunteers and militia already furnished by tho

volunteers and militia already furnished by tho
State. ..
1t is further provided that any drafted per.
son may furnish an acceptable substitute in bis
place, or may pay sum not exceeding three
hundred dollars to the Government to procure
such substitute; and this is the clause which
is more generally censured, and misrepresept-
ed and misunderstood, than any other in the
law, yet the slightest candid considera-
ton will show that it is just. For, in
the first place. it is agreed that some substitute
system is necessary. 1t would be for the in
terest neither of the Government nor Of tho
community, that every man on whom the lot
fell should be compelled to 60. He may be one
whose services are worth far more in bis reg
ular occupation, as those of a shpbuiider. .
machinist, q founder, q gunmaker, and tho
Ike. And Of course the community has no in
terest in compelling such man to go himself,
Instead of sending substitute. For this and
other reasons which readily suggest themselves,
the law adopted the substitute system.
and the only remaining question was:
Shall the Government take tho business
of procuring substitutes into its own
hands, or leave it to spectators and to
chance So far as the Government is con-
cerned, it is obviously better that it should
choose its own men, paying to such az
it selects the three hundred dollars re-
ceived from the exempt. Does this work any
hardship to the drafted All experience
shows that if no communication is fixed BY
Government, the price of substitutes becomes
exorbitant. The effect Of the three hund-
red dollar clause" is not to discriminate
against the poor and in favor of the rich, but
10 check speculation, keep down the price Of
substitutes, and to enable much greater num-
ber to procure substitutes than without this
provision would be able TO. The rich men
could in any event get substitutes, whatever
the price. This clause extends the same
privilege to those OF moderate means. 1t
a provision in favor Of the poor, aud not Of
the rich.
The numerous sections of the law which
regulate the manner of enrolment and draft.
prescribe the duties of officers, &C.. need not
be- considered or referred to in detail. The
main features of the act. those. provisions
which are the basis Of the conscription system.
and especially those which are misunderstood,
We have briefly but substantially stated. 1t
only remains TO add the goth section, which
is as follows:
Ind b.n Jsrshs, enacted Tha, ssy person shall resist
any enrolled under this act inls the service OF
the United States. shdE eoEn' ad syson 70 's
any ,eh d,g; shoH aau Ob'yHet officer IN MAX
ING sueA d,en or IN ne pso,wanee If any 'eres reiaf'n
t,eefo shaA oounssi 10 ansuf or oe"ues
any ,uei officer ssaa eOus'd any d,ajf'd men not 10
appsay a. The place c ymdsssoU'. viJrl.y d"Sdd<
them Jron s p.oymGnes Of military duiy rsguDsdb by
lI such person shall be subject 10 summary arrest oy
the provosmarsnsl and shall be forthwith delivered to
the civil authorities and upon conviction thereof be pun
sb.d by exceeding i've hundred dollars or by inn
exceeding years, by both oil sad pun
ishmsptL"
Wherefore let all loyal and well.disposed
citizens keep steadfastly in mind:
That the purpose Of the law is noble-to
preserve the Republic by subduing the Rebel
lion;
That the methods of the law are just and
equitable; carefully adapted to accomplish its
purpose; impartially requiring service
from all classes of people. with generous
exceptions in favor of the poor;
That the penalty of the law is denounced
against those who in any manner resist or
counsel resistance to its obligations; and
finally,
That the Government deems the enforce
nent of the law at this time essential to the
safety of the nation, that il stands pledged
to execute it at all hazards, and that it will
keep its pledge, if necessary, with all tho
military power at its command. 1t is
neither patriotic, nor prudent, nor possible.
for any citizen or any portion Of the people