Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1863-12-31
Fro~s the Daily Of DEC. ss.
The CONSUMPTION LAw.--We notice


The CONSUMPTION LAw.--We notice
that son of our opposition papers are
advocating the amendment Of the con-
soription law. so that there shall be no ex-
cmpt.on either by money or substitutes
They contend tina, by such a modification
only rsn justice be done TO the poorer,
hberlng cases, Such clamor has been
raised over tn $50 Communication clause,
ocpperhcsds have laLored with such zeal
10 convince the people that it created an
unjust and odious distinction in favor Of
the rich, whereas its operation SO far as
i went was directly TO the advantage of
those in moderate circumstances, that we
are almost disposed to favor trial by
tAem of what they demand. We have no
idea, however, that they would be any
better satisfied with the law as amended,
than they have been with it as it now
stands. They make it their chief business,
while the country is struggling for life, to
be satisfied with nothing.
II is possible that the necessities of the
crisis, the need of men for the service,
may hereafter demand either the increase
Of the amount of the Communication, ope-
rating so far, as we contend, directly
against the poorer classes, or the doing
away with the privilege of Communication
entirely, operating still more against them
by placing beyond their reach the price of
substitutes. We trust, however, that it
will not be necessary to put any conscrip-
ton law into practical operation again to
finish up this rebe lion.
But to those who advocate the repeal
Of exemption, both by money and substl-
tuies, as the only measure of justice to the
hboring classes, we will now content
ourselves with putting single question.
Most capitalists employ laborers in one
way or another. To say nothing of the
much greater comparative sacrifice to
themselves, or of the loss to the country
through the stoppage of business, what
benefit would it be to the laborers if a
capitalist having in his employ, for ez-
ample, hundred men, should be COM
peeled at all hazards to suspend his bust
ness by draft and suddenly throw
ont of employment the hundred men
depending npon their daily work for the
support of themselves and families Z II
ia obviously impossible to frame q con-
scription law which shall operate with
exact Justice upon all individuals. The
matter must be considered with this fact
in view. Nothing is easier than the at
, kmpt to array the rich against the poor
Perhaps it is unjust that one man should
be rich and another poor. But 1t Is the
way OF the world, and we must abide by
it until radical change is inaugurated IN
mundane affairs. Until this occurs, and
us do not think it will during The present
war. we can but believe with our present
hight that the g laboring class" so called
will as a whole best subserve their own
interest by asking the retention Of the
provision by which those who employ them
may. if they can and choose, pay good
men to take their places in the ranks, while
thew continue the,business upon which the
Aborers themselves are dependent for the
sastenance of themselves, their wives ano
children. A consumption law without
such provision, would be novelty, al
the least. ...-.. ..,s.z.s b.