Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1863-11-26
TnE Town MEETING. We assume

Town Meeting to-day. The question
whether there shall be draft for two
hundred and fifteen men land SO per cent
added to that in this town on the 9Th of
January next, Tor for such portion Of that
number as shall not previously have been
Sled by volunteers), or whether, on the
sther hand, such draft shall be avoided
by raising one hundred and twenty-five
volunteers, will depend, in our view,
mainly upon the action Of this meeting.
As this is question Of grave importance
70 every citizen of Rutland, we cannot
doubt that our townsmen will manifest
their interest therein by their attendance
today.
We also assume it to be unnecessary to
urge the propriety the necessity, if volun-
= teers are to be secured in sufficient num-
bers TO obviate the DRAFT, of tina towns Of
fering liberal bounty. Upon this we
suppose all are agreed. The only ques-
tion that will arise, we presume, will be
as to the amount of such bounty.
We have much more to accomplish
relatively than has any other town in
the state. How it happens that our quota
is so large il is useless at this time to
discuss. Suffice it to say that the cause
is not such as to reflect any discredit upon
the patriotism of the mass of the people.
We have the quota to raise, and we must
raise it. The | rgeness of the number
assigned us demands corresponding sacri-
fees. Grumbling will do no good there
is draft at the end, and not very distant
at that, which it is our business Just now
to avoid The way in which the proper
~ holders. who are too old TO be lia-
Bile to this draft, can make the nee
essary sacrifices, if they don't volun-
teer themselves, is by paying their share
Of liberal bounties to those who do or
will volunteer. 1t is due to the latter as
the defenders of the government which
protects. the former in the enjoyment OF
their liberties and property, and 1T is due
for the credit of Rutland.
II we would induce volunteering, we
must make our bountes certainly as
large as recruits receive in neighborlng
states. Massachusetts offers 1875, cash
down. In New York bounties are offered
by counties in addition to the state boun-
". The county Of New York, for ex-
ample, pays $500 in addition to the state
bounty, which is $75 Connecticut Of
fsrs bounty of $500. Many Of the
towns IN these states also pay additional
sums.
Vermont offers state bounty Of $l25
cash down Tor 81 per month if preferred
which would amount t. more or less thai
that sum, according to the length Of tn
time of service.
To equal the bounties payable casl
down, Of neighboring states, then, to 50.
nothing Of their town bounties, this tow
must at least vote to pay, in addition =
he state bounty, not less than 800. l
more is voted, (and we think more shoul'
he) 70 much the better will be tn
chances of filing up the quota Of volun
ssw.
Such are the facts, as we understand
eAem, which we would suggest, withou
any intention CT fixing the amount, NOR
sr less, to be voted by the town. II !
for the people Of the town to deternin
that, to-day, but to remind them Of thea
facts may not be inopertuns to their Dc
kberations.
The town is already in debt, and
bounty such as we have indicated, WI
largely increase 1t; but the town is ais
prosperous and wealthy, and the deb
will take care Of itself without our feel
ing ii particularly. The burden whic
rigorous draft would in one way an
another entail upon us, would be far NOR
keenly felt. And even if the debt shout
occasion little restraint upon US in on
prosperity, in such cause as giving tn
final bEo,o to treason and ensuring tn
salvation of our common country,
would be a patriotic as well as wholesom
experience which would make US eventu
ally all the more prosperous. And W
can, withal, if we do our duty cheerful.
now, indulge in the satisfaction OF know
ing that we have done more in this wa
for the Union, in proportion to the actua