The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1863-05-14
The COnscriptiOn Lay

tue ConscflptlOn AcC paSScu during the
last session of Congress. One will lift
up his bronzed head and say the provis-
ions of the act are oppressive to the poor;
another will add that the Congress that
framed and passed such bill are traitors
to their country; while the thirl one,
btterer than all others, will add, yes,
and hanging is too good for them. Ev-
cry course is pursued to sour the minds
!. of the public, and particularly poor men,
and to accomplish this they talk of the
Conscription Act as being Oppressive to
the poor.
1t is one Of the brightest acts Of the
3Tth Congress. Ia that law is shown
the humanity, justice and patriotism of
that body, although they are accused of
treason by the copperheads, who care no
more about the government than though
it were valueess.
For tie purpose OF showing clearly the
intention of the bill, with reference to
the poor class, we give the following let
ter written to Fernando Wood by Senator
| Wilson, who was one of the trainers of
the bill, and who should, and does un
derstand it much better than those who
denounce it, and alege that it is oppres.
! sive to the poor: lie says:
"Hon Fernando Wood:-Sir: You
are everywhere recognized as the brain,
the heart, the soul, the philosopher and
guide Of the Mozart Hall Democratic
faction of the City of New York. Your
| lass b,.,ip inS yiroS ,ttoropoaS. yorr
plastic hand noulds and fashions its ac-
tious. Sure Y, then, it is fit that you
should be held responsible for the utter
ances and acts of your liege clansmen,
who are wont to assemble in Mozart Hall
aud do Jour bidding
"Inspircd by your councils, Mozart
Hall pronounces against the "Act fer en-
rolling and calling cut tkc National
forces,' to preserve the unity of the Re-
public and the life of the nation. Mo.
cart Hall, illuminated by your presence,
proca'ms that this act for the preserva.
tion Of cur periled country makes an in
famous distinction between the rich and
the poor Sir, this accu sation is false,
wickcdly, wantonly and infamously false
"a foul, shameless and damnable libel
upon the law and its trainers. The oft
repeated avowals Of red handed traitors,
whose souls are stained with the blood of
our murdered countrymen, that this ac-
cursed rebellion now upon us was forced
upon them by the aggressions of the lib.
erty loving people Of the loyal States, are
not more shamelcssly, wantonly aud
wickedly false, than is this declaration
Of Mozart Hall, that the conscription act
makes distinctions in favor of the rich,
aud against the poor.
"Pray, Sir, do not misunderstood me.
OF course | cannot mean to accuse Mo-
zart Hall of intentional falsehood. Oh,
no. Surely no one would suspect Mozart
Hall of intentional falsehood CT misrep-
reseutationl Its considcrate moderation,
its lively sense Of justice, its admitted
patriotism, its stainless purity of charac,
ter will rescue Mozort Hall from the sus-
pcion Of Intentional misrepresentation
or falsehood!
"Of course, Sir, this shameless accu-
sation against the provisions of the Con-
scription Act was inspired by Ignorance
hot by falsehood. This exhibition of
sheer ignorance concerning the provis-
ions Of this prescribed law of the nation
will, perhaps, be excused and pardoped
in view Of the manifestation of that in
tense, passionate, outspoken loyalty Mo-
zart Hall is wont to put forth in behalf of
the Government. 1t is, nevertheless not
an agreeable spectacle to see you, Sir,
and your Mozart Hall patriots, whose
exquisite regard for human rights is only
cqualled by that deep concern for the
country which impels you to delve into
the mysteries Of negotiations with Rich
mond traitors, cropping along in utter
gnoranco of the provisions of law franz
ed expressly to more effectually defend
the endangered nation, Tighten the bur
den Of tho Treasury and the people,
equalize the duties, and relieve, as far
as possible, the tolllng, dependent poor
from the hard, if not harsh, provisions
Of existing militia laws.
"But, Sir, it matters not whether this
accusation Of Mozart Hall against the
Conscripton Act was born of ignorance
or of falsehood. 1t is equally fallacious,
deceptive, mischievous. 1t is an accusa-
tion flung before people by the reckless
hand Of malignant demagogueism, to
poison tho heart and mislead the reason.
Surely the heart, conscience and reason
of loyal people will mark and brand the
brain that conceived, the hand that pen
ned and the tongue that proclaimed this
foul, wicked and shameless calumny
against an act which bears the amplest
evidence in every line, that its frame
intended its burdens should fall as light
ly as possible on the toiling masses.
"Sir, this 'Act for enrolling and call
ing out the national forces was framed
to be more efficient for war purposes than
wcro the existing militia laws, less bur-
densome upon the Treasury and the peo-
pie than werc the existing statutes
These objects, sanctioned by patriotism,
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