The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1863-08-05
THE DRAFT LAW.
FACTS FOR THE CANDID TO REFLECT
Upon


UPON.
The Congressional Act fer enrolling
and calling out the national forces" was
framed to be more efficient for war pur.
poses than were the existing militia laws.
less burdeDsome upon the treasury aud
the people, and more humane to the poor,
than any similar law in the world. These
objects, sanctioned by patriotism economy,
justice and humanity, hare been attained
as neariy as the unequal lot or mankind
ar,Hpermit This law is enthusiastically
welcomed By the armies of the republic,
is referred to by other nations as the high
est evidence Of the determined purposes
Of the United States Governments dread
ed by armed traitors, and is denounced
By Rebel sympathizers.
Contrast the provisions of this act with
the provisions of the previously existing
militia laws of the United States, and Of
the militia laws of the several States
By those laws, certain classes Of persons
are ercepfed and eTcmptea from military
duty--from being drafted into the service
Of the United States. Neither those na-
tiOnal laws, nor the laws Of any State in
the Union, exempt the poor, who have the
aged, the iufrm, the helpless. dependent
upon them At the call of the Govern
ment. under those laws, they must hasten
away TO the camp and the battle field.
Who, then, were exempted by the e1-
isting militia laws OF the Uuited States,
and Of the several States of the Union 4?
Not the poor, the dependent sons Of toll,
but the most fortunate aud favored OF the
peop.e-Nembers of Congress, custom
house officers and clerks, postmasters aud
clerks, professors and students 10 colleges,
ministers Of the gospel, Judicial officers
aud other officials, persons who may pro-
fess conscientious scruples against bearing
arms, members of engine companies, hook
and ladder companies, or persons other
wise connected with the Ere department.
The Draft (or Conscription) Act, on
the other hand, exempts, in addition to
such as are physically or mentally unfit
for military duty, only
First. The Vfce-P-esiiert Of he United
States, the judges ftnc United States Courts.
the heads only Of the executive departments
ot lie National Government, and tie Govern
grs Of the several States
Second. The only son liable % mi,it2-r
duty Of widow dependent On his labor fo-
support.
Third. The only son Of aged or iuern
parents, or parents dependent on his labor for
support.
Fourth. Where there ere t--o or more sons
q aged or in6rm parents subject to 4 draft
the father, or, If he be dead, the mother, may.
elect which son shall De exempt.
Fifth. The only brother OF children not
twelve years old, having neither father nor
mother, aad dependent upon lis labor for
support.
Sixth. TIE father Of motberlasz children
under twelve years Of age. who are dependent
upon MS labor for supper.
Seventh. Where there are father and
sons in the same family and household, and
two OF them are in the military service Of the
Un!tei States as nou-commissioued officers.
musicians, or Trivates. tle residue OF such
family or household, 10t exceeding two. shall
be exempt.
Eighth. Young men between the ages Of
Is and 20 are exempt, t5- the reason ,h,tex-
geTLence proves that soldiers --ier % wears
oi age can no, sustain the burdens of camp
lie : Vel as men between 20 ana 50.
These exemptions are in favor Of those
upon whose daily toll the aged, infrm, and
helpless rely. Is it. as has been charged
upon it, making infamous distinctions
between the rich and the poor" to ex.
emPt the oR-y sons of poor widows. and
to compel Members of Congress to Eght.
procure substitutes, or pay for substi-
tutes TO exempt the only sons Of aged
OF iufTm parents dependent upon them
tor bread, aud compel the whole army of.
custom-house officers, postmasters, and
Government clerks 10 fight, procure or
pay TOR substitutes to exempt the only
brothers Of fatheTIess aud mo(herless it,
tie brothers aud sisters dependent upon
the.r daily toll for support to exempt
the fathers OF motheriess infant children
dependent upon these fathers daily toll
Tor sustenance, and compel State Judges,
justices Of the peace, ciergynlen, aud col
iege professors to fight, procure substi-
tutes or pay for substitutes Shame on
the men who misrepreseDt the benefeent
provisions Of an act passed to uphold the
cause Of our inperiled country!
The 18th section Of the act 10 question
provides that any person drafted and no.
.ifed to appear at the rendezvous, may,
IN or before the day fixed for his appear
ance, furnish an acceptable substitute to
take Ills place III the draft; or he may
7ag to s1ch person as the Secretary of
Wax may authorize to receive it, such
sun, not exceeding $500, as the Secra.
tary mag determine, ,fos the procuratiou oil
such substitute, which sum shall be Exea
Il Uniform rate bv q general order ,,a1a +