New-York daily tribune., 1863-08-04
THE CONsCRIPTION LAW.


Endless pains are taken by the disloyal news-
papers. printed in New-York and elsewhere in
aid of the Rebellion, TO misrepresent the pro.
visions of the Conscripton act, to conceal Its
purpose and necessity, and in all ways to in
flame against it the prejudices of the ignorant
and passions of the wicked. At this moment
especially, when the law has been dehed and
transenty resisted by an insurrectIon, and
while the Government is slowly preparing 10
enforce decsively its execution. the organs Of
the mob are steadily aud insidiOusly arranging
the materials out of which to create another
riotous opposition. The weapon in their armo-
ry most frequently used, is falsfcaton of the
act. Once more, therefore, we examine and
re.state its regulations.
The purpose Of the law cannot be'more con.
siderately nor more impressvely declared than
1t ia in the preamble 10 the act itself Let
those who deem it hardship to be summoned
to the defense of an imperiled country, read
and ponder rhy they are thus summoned;
Wh.r,a. there now .Is. IN III. United State. In.ur.
rectsn and Rebellion sgAn. h. authority thereof and 1t s
und. the Constitution Of tho United s.,e the duty Of the
Government suppress in'uec,on and rebellion to guar
Auloe each State republican form Of government and to
pfe,ervs the public auqui,y .nd where's for these high
purposes. military force 10 ndispsnisbs TO raise and sup
port which oil person, ought willingly to cOntribu,s and
whereas. no s.rvc. be pr.wor,hy and honosab
than which rendered for the maintenance OF the Con
.u,on sud Union and the consequent preservation Of nee
government: Therefore. be IL enaeted," Ae
Against the object Of the law, therefore,
nothing can be urged by any loyal aud patriotic
citizen; and we appeal to none other. Let u'
consider, then whether there is any just
cause of complaint in any of its provisions.
Ii enacts, FIRST that all able bodied male cit
zens of the United States, and persons OF
foreign birth who have declared their intention
to become citizens, between the ages of twenty
and forty. five, with certain specified exceptions,
shall constitute the national forces, and shall
be liable to military duty in the service OF the
United States, when called on BY the Presl.
dent. The exceptions, beside those physically
aud mentally unfit for the service, are:
l. The Vice-Presdent of the United States,
the Judges of the various Courts OF the United
States, the heads Of the various Executive
Departments Of the Government, and the Gov.
ernors OF the several States.
=. The only son liable to military duty of
widow dependent upon his labor for support.
3. The only son of aged or infrm parent or
parents dependent upon his labor for support.
4. Where there are two or more sons of
aged or nirm parents subject to draft, the
father, or if he be dead, the mother, may elect
which son shall be exempt.
3. The ouly brother of children not twelve
years old having neither father nor mother
dependent upon his labor for support.
g. The father of motherless children under
twelve years of age, dependent upon his labor
for support.
7. Where there are father aud sons in the
same family and household, and two of them
are in the military service of the United States
as non.commissioncd officers, musicians. or
privates, the residue Of such family aud house
hold, not exceeding two, shall be exempt.
And finally. it is provided that no person
who has been convicted ofsany felony shall be
enrolled or permitted to serve in the National
forces.
Now. since there is frequent outcry against
the law ON tho pretense that it is law made
for rich men. lot the foregoing list OF excep'
tlons sufficiently attest its thoughtful generosity
to poo, men. and its parental care for the
iatherlesS.
The forces enrolled are divided into two
classes, the first including all between twenty
and thirty and all unmarried persons
under forty.iive; the second comprising all the
remainder of those enrolled, who are not to
be called into service till the first class Is OK
hausted. They arc subject to draft during two
years from the first of this July, and their
term of service is during the present Rebellion,
not to exceed, however, three years. The
number to bs drawn from any district is to
bs estimated With reference to tho aumber Of