Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1863-11-27
Principals and Substitutes,

We copy from the Richmond Examiner the fol-
lowing just and sensible remarks on this subject:
But is there no such thing as a due balance be-
tween the civil and the military spheres of national
lier This is worth considering; for we have pass
Gu the PERIOD If there ever was such period, when
d 'eoee &" mdSse would have been desirable; and it
must De remembered that we are engaged in a strug-
gle OF indefinite duration. Are We to have the
same uncertainty and confusion, that have been
the oane OF our finances perpetuated IN the recruit
lug Oh our armlesp Is the same bad faith, which
was shown in the virtual reputation of the eight
per cent treasury issues, to be exhibited in the
Cancelllng OF the obligations Of the government to
those who have furnished substitutesr 1t was in
Judlclous to issue the eight per cent notes; but
once issued they ought to be redeemed on the orig
lnal terms. 1t was, perhaps, wrong to allow sub
Sttution; it was certainly impoltic to suffer it to
De made matter of private contract; for, if the
government had retained the control of this whole
matter, and regulated the commutation of military
service, all the abuses to which substitution is a-
BILE might have been prevented. But the harm has
been done, and it cannot be undone by breach of
public faith. Are we to have another overhauling
OF the Exemption BIl-another attempt on the part
of the military committee to sweep the whole male
population, with the exception Of members Of Con-
greSS, into the various camps of instruction? We
hope not, and yet our hope is not unmingled with
fear. 1t is so pleasant to resolve that everybody
else shall do the work, and that the resolutonlsts
shall enjoy the profts-t is so cheap to be patriotic
at the expense of the rest Of the world and things
which are at once cheap and pleasant so rare in
Richmond, that we should not be shocked at any
measures which the next Congress may pass.
Exemption from military service is privilege
granted to the exempt because hisTork is benefit
to the nation-it would be cant deny it but it is
privilege which becomes disgrace soon as the
exempt fails to perform his part of the contract
We care not how much this is insisted on. Let
every sham preacher, every untaught teacher every
swindling cobbler every detailed man who does not
fulfil his duty be forced into the service. But let US
have no more meddling with the lists until it is as
certained what the requirements of civil life are
Disabled soldiers do not straightway become geni-
uses of the first order, although acknowledge
that proportion of Congressman might be advan-
tageously replaced by judicous selection FROM the
number of our mutilated soldiers. Let the con-
scripton act as it is, be fully carried out. But let
us have no hasty measures for increasing the size
of armies until our subaltern officers bring all
the men "for duty" into the field we get rid
of generals who do not know how to handle all the
forces at their disposal.
1t is clear that we as we'll as the Yankees, need
efficiency rather than mere number; and unlike
number efficiency admits of indefinite increase. cit
would not be an inactive winter which should Wit
ness thorough revision of all the departments of
our army. A wholesome course of cashiering
through all the grades of the service-a rigid re-
organization of the picket system-an entire re-
modelling of the cavalry-are among the urgent
necessities which must be met before another spring
summons US to meet again the recruited hosts of
Yankeedom."