The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1863-08-25

an army, they shall be furnished by
the classes from IS to as years old
the Executive of the United States or
the Commandcr.in- ehici Of the militia
Of each State, shall assess the mum
ber required and from each section,
Il the demand be so great, enc per.
son shall be detached BY iraiscrimi-
nate draft, and the others n . sec
ton shall compensate him In money,
sc. The men thus drafted 70 BE- a.
regulars for three years, and no, to
serve longer than that period at one
time, bul the drAit tAsy be repeated
as eftcn as sstasion ssqstas. The
power to obtain sabaiiutes regulated
and confined TO certain caseh The
rights Of free citizen denied for
years to those who while minors had
not served in the militia, Sc.
4. Erenptioas Persous above
the ages OF 45 years and to 60, must,
in case Of actual invasion, furnish their
quota of men in like manner as tho
other classes.
Gen. Washington, referring 10 the
rigor Of his scheme for raising an ar
my observed;
II is conceded that people, soliciious
to be exhonerated from iheirproport on
public duty, may exclaim against tho
proposed arrangement as un intolera-
ble hardship; but il ought to be strong
" impressed, that while society has
lis charms, il also has its indespensa-
bic obligations. That to attempt such
degree of refinement as to exonerate
the members of the community from
all personal service is TO render them
incapable Of the exercise and unwor-
thy Of the character of ffrcemen.
Egery State possesses, not only
Tie right Of personal service from It's
members, 6at the rigM to regulate The
serrice on principles Of equality for
the general offence. Al beiHg bound,
none can complain Of injustice on be-
ing obliged 70 perform has equal pro-
portion. Therefore il ought to be a
permanent rule, that those who in
! youth decline or refuse 10 subject
themselves 10 the course Of military
education established by the laws
would be considered as unworthy Of
public trust or public honors, and be
excluded therefrom accordingly.
If the majesty Of the laws should
be preserved inyiolation in this res-
pect, the opeiations Of the proposed
, plan would foster glorious public
spirit, infuse the principles Of energy
and stability into the body polite, and
; giving high degree Of splcndor to
the national character.
The "plan . did not 60 into effect,
j because, happily there was no occa-
sion for a large army.
II VIII be seen that the conscripiion
here proposed was vastly more rigor-
Gus than that at present in operation.
: Every male citizen between the ages
Of l8 and 60 was liable. There were
no exempt classes il bore with re-
morseless weight upon the high and
i low, the young and the old.
The "plan" was, Of course, de-
: nouneed as "arbitrary" and "pros-
!. criptiye." The 1rguses and New
r York Worlds Of that period stigmatis-
: ed its author as tyrant and "usur-
per- They charged him with tramp
ling constitutional rights under foot
) and with aiming to subvert the lib
tiles Of the people" But Washing
1 ton surveyed the attacks, and rcfuted
calumnies. The very names Of his
!. assailants are forgotten, while his fame
r grows brighter with the revolving
years
n The lesson is instructive. A peo-
5 pie will readily forgive even rigor-
n Gus exercise Of power, If il be used
g for the welfare Of the State, james
!. Madison, was the bete noir Of the
# /" Blue Lights " Peace men Of
n 1912. They denounced his scheme
: Of CONSUMPTION as arbitrary" and
!. "tyranical !" they stigmatised him as
9 usurper and reyolotionist. Yet
he lived down The storm, and became
g he nert President Of Me Uaited
States.
/.