The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1863-03-06
Tho National Conscription---A New
Pledge Of Success.

Tho CONSUMPTION Act, which has jus,
passed the Senate, is the grandcst pledge yet
yiycn that our Government means to prevail.
and will prevail. 1t is really the nations
first assertion Of purpose to command the
means for its own preservation. Hitherto
these means have all been contingent and
prccarious. Our military strength was all
dependent ON individual good will in volun-
tesring, and upon the good will of State
officials in needing. aud adequately carrying
out the calls Of the Government Tor their
inst proportions Of soldiers. The results
have astonisned the world. They will SO in
to history as the most extraordinary mani
festation Of public spirit in all time. But
in their very nature, they were unsuitcd to a
long war. There never was such war,
however just or necessary, that did not beget
faction and opposition in its progress; and
there never will be so long as there is any
wickeducss in human nature. To throw the
burdens Of the war upon those only who shall
remain true to it, would be rewardinS I'M
fai,hfulness. To trust in any degree to Its
onpouents for the means to carry il on,
would DO to make calculation impossible,
and to hazard everything. If it DO the SUI
prcme duty Of the Government to save itself,
il follows that it should have supreme con-
troll over the means. Ii now prepares to as.
sumo that control; and therein, we say, is the
best Of all guarantees Of its final success.
Tho measure is for The enrolment and he
mastering INTO service. " need be, 81 an ths
acknowledgement the Uai,ed SAFES. betwcen
the ages Of twenty AID forty five The only
executions are, Governors o. States, Judges,
the only sons Of poor widows, and a very few
others. Substantially, il is putting all OF
the active, ablc-bodicd population OF the 10y
al States at the service of the Government,
for period Of three years. This, making al
large allowance for those not able-bodied,
between the ages specified, would give mill-
.ary force exceeding three millions. The im-
menso BODY is to be enrolled by officials APP
nointed by. and directly accountable to, the
President OF the United States. Ii is to be-
called forth by draft in such numbers. and
assigned to military duty in such places. as
he pleases. No State functionary has any,
thing to do with the business. A provost
Marshal is to be appointed for every Con-
cressional District, whose duties are minute
~ specified, and who will have the entire
responsibility for the completeness OF his
work. Heavy penalties arc imposed for all
resistance, or counseling of resistance, to the
draft; and. in fact, every part OF the bill bris-
ties with provisions insuring its efficiency.
Now, for the first time, we shall have the
Power of the nation pittcd fairly against the
Power OF tho rebellion. The Confederate
couscriptions are nearly exhausted; ours are
but Just to begin. Nothing theirs can do
hereafter can possibly increase the present
rebel army to two.thirds OF million. Our
proooscd new law will easily increase our
present army to two or three times that hS-
urc.
We shall he in condition to carry out
practically what hitherto has been but vain
and. in fact, considering the power we have
actually brought to bear, q ridiculous, hS-s
ure of spccch-the crushing out OF tho rebel
lion. This CONSUMPTION act supplies meanss
whose proper usc would just as certainly pal.
yerizc the Confederacy, rs any physical eject
follows physical causc.-Ne'o YORK Tunes.