Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-12-29
how THE REBELS PROPOSE TO M
CREASE THEIR ARmYs
GIGANTIO FRAUD.
From the n. Timss.1

From the n. Y. Tines
Turning, now, to the consideration Of
the method by which the chiefs Of the re-
bellion propose 10 keep on foot sn armed
force, we see, in lieu of the spontaneous
patriotism displayed by the soldiers Of the
Union, an act Of high-hsnded despotism,
which has not, we think, its match in mill
itary history. 1t is proposed, in fact, By
sweeping act Of legislature to forcibly
hold all the troops now in the Confederate
service until the end of the war. Incredi-
bic though it may appear, that such prop
osition could be made by men who pretend
to respect even the show Of right yet 1t
has been actually embodied in a bill in
the following terms, now before the Con-
federsie Military Committee, with every
prospect Of receiving such sanction Of law
as they can give it;
ga BILL to be entitled An Act to continue
in service ali II oops now in the service
of the Confederate States:
SECTION l. The Congress Of the Con-
federate States Of America, do enact that
all musicians, priVstes and non-commis-
stoned officers, now in the armies Of the
Confederate States by virtue Of volunteer
ing, enlistment or CONSUMPTION into the
military services Of the Confederate States,
be and the same are hereby retained in said
service for and during the existing war
with the United States, and no longer.
SECTION 2. Be II further enacted, That
all troops 30 retained in service shall con-
tinue to serve in the companies, battallions
squadrons, batteries and regiments in
which they now are, until transferred, de-
tailed, or discharged, in accordance with
existing laws and regulations, Of such
laws and regulations as may hereafter be
passed and adopted with reference to
transfers, details, exemptions or discharges
inlthe armies Of the Confederacy."
This is nothing more nor less, therefore,
than gigantic act Of moral reputation,
by which solemn compact, affecting the
lives and liberties Of couple Of hundred
thousand men, is TO be ruthlessly broken.
Even the unhappy wretches whom The
drag-net Of the CONSUMPTION swept into
the ranks Of the rebel armies, and whose
only consolation amid their involuntary
servitude was the prospect that, if not
killed, they would at least be released at
the expiration Of their term of service
they, as well as those who Voluntarily en-
listed for a specified period, are to be
foToibly held for the indefinite term of
" the existing war with the United States"
This is an act Of mstchless despotism,
such as even a military autocrat like
Frederick or Napoleon never dared to VEN
ture on. Indeed, however Strengthened
these rulers at times found themselves for
want Of what Frederick used to call iican.
non fodder" they were alwsy scrupulous
in keeping faith with their conscripts
knowing that to destroy this confidence in
the soldier was to take the prop away from
the possibility of having an army at all.
This enormous act Of treachery is the fit-
ting blsEon Of q cause that was born in
sin and brought forth in iniquity, and it
is meet that lis leaders, after msnifesting
evcry perfdy in their transactions with
the Government against which they are
warning, should end by showing bad faith
toward their victims.