North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1863-02-25


corrections in this line
The news from Vlc&sbuIg, by the last
nights mail is important; the bomhardment
of that city having been commenced by the
mortar boats. The rebel batteries were re
turning the fire the result, at last accounts
being uncertain. An attack on Charleston
s. c., was momentarily expected. M chan
ges have taken place in the army Of the Poto.
mac. The conscIiptIon bill is now under
consideration in the honse. Very exciting
debates on 1t, have already taken place. The
Abolitionists will not permit any amend
ments 20 this infamous bill
The Case of William Burgess
Let US write a PLAIN story Of the times. the
facts of which are well known ana have been
stated by the very men involved in the mar
rative
William Burgess, formerly Of Mllyille in
Columbia county, an Aho!.tionjst of the first
water, and now publisher Of Black Repub-
lican newspaper in this county was, and for
aught we know is vet, Superintendent Of
Common Schools for Columbia county with
good salary. lie was appointed to the post
by the State Superintendent of Common
School to fill a vacancy.
In October last, it will be remembered, the
draft took place under the call of the Presi-
dent for troops and, very sad to tell, the
name Of William Burgess 1caS drarn, and
was enrolled among the names Of those law
fully selected to serve their country. If he
had been assigned to a fat Paymastership. or
other good office, the duties Of which would
not bring man uncomiortabiy near the bull
lets OF the eneray, and the pay Of which would
be respectable, it might have been considered
very proper thing but to be drawn as a
common soldier, TO be, perhaps, made " food
for powder" on some fine morning. was a
thing "quite ntolerabe aud not to be en-
dured." There was remedy to be sure in
the case, for substitute might be hired and
sent, and Mr.. Superintendent 90 on with his
duties and draw his salary, or turn his at
tention to something else, according to his
own will and pleasure. But this resource
for an unwilling patriot was liable to the %
lection of e.rpsRse, thing to be considered
by an abOht;unist when it comes home to his
own pocket instead OF the national treasury.
Other men who We're drafted and corld not
serve, or did not choose to serve, hired sub
stitutes but the cost Of substitute was
found to be several hundred dollars-a very
inconvenient outlay for Republican politi.
clan, who had never been favored with a
government contract, and had only salary
to draw upon.
The case was one for commiseration, for
the deep sympathy of all "loysi" men, and
Burgess was fortunate enough to obtain such
sympathy in his hour of sore trial. The
Post Master of Bloomsbury, holding a good
office and luckily exempt by law from the
draft, had sympathy for his less fortunate
brother Official and came to his aid with a
promptness and Zeal deserving of all praise
He wrote to the Superintendent Of Common
Schools at Harrisburg, and the Snpernten.
dent of Common Schools wrote to the Sec
retary at War at Washingtu ton, and the Secre
tary at War wrote back to Gov. Curtin al
Harrisburg and then Gov. Curtin sent al
order to the draft Commissioner of Colunbis
County to discharge Mr.. Burgess FROM the
draft This proceeding was a little circuit
Gus, bat the result was all that could be de
sired; Mr.. Burgess was discharged from the
draft, and could bid defiance to Provost Mar
shals forever!
Some inquisitive citizen may desire t.
know under what ldio this was done :-th,
man was able bodiednot too young nor too old
the very picture Of fine soldier, was neithei
mail carrier, nor postmaster nor Judge, anc
in addition to all this, was an undoubted pat
riot, with most wholesome views upon tn,
subject of the war and the manner Of con
Quoting 1.-THE very man one would think fol
the crisis, and most happily drawn by tn,
gentle pressure Of the draft into the publ,
service.
We can only answer to all this, that thu
law was simply set aside for the OCCASION
was dispensed witb--and it was decfeed tha
some other man should stand in the place
OF Mr.. Burgess in the day of battle-becauss
the Postmaster at Bloomsbury wanted n
done. the Superintendent of omnon School.
thought it would be well to be done and thu
Secretary at War conceived it might be done
and thereu on the governor Of the Common.
wealth sin consideration of the premises ::
ordered 1t 10 be done! 1t would be irrever
ent and disrespeetful to all these distinguish
ed Repebllcan officials, to make any trouble.
some question upon the iae of The case in
view OF their arduous labors and most sage
conclusions upon it.
But to stop the mouths of all revilers. we
VIII state The ground Of the discharge as We