The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1863-12-12

But there are many QueStlOns growing
out of this Proclamation which we must
take time to consider. While we are salts
fed that it is very favorable to the revolted
States, we are not quite certain that the
plan cannot be improved both for their and
our permanent welfare.
Repeal the $500 Exemption.
We are unable to obtain any response
from the Copperheads hereabouts as to
their present opinion of the $500 exemption
clause Of the Enrolment Act. Loyal and
patriotic men, whether they called them
selves Democrats or by any other name,
have never found fault with it. They al
ways thought it most liberal provision
and calculated to tighten the burden of
Draft in all cases where it would prove
special hardship. But the Copperheads
denounced it. They sought 10 make it OPP
probrious to the.minds of those for whose
benefit it was particularly designed. AS
they do not say the contrary now, we are
bound to assume that they were in earnest
and are Of the same opinion still. They
don't like this provision and desire its re-
peal. OF course they desire it to be repeal
ed Immediately, and are intensely delight
ed with the fact that the Provost Marshal
General recommends it, and that members
of the Senate and the House have already
given notice of Bill having that purpose
in view. Of course they want it repealed
before the Draft Of January, so that the
hardships they ascribe to it will be avoided
then, as we'll as in the future.
We are with them in this purpose. AS
they have taken SO much pains to discour-
age volunteering,-as they have chosen to
place hindrances in the way of filing the
quota of Iowa by voluntary enlistments,
and have thus deferred large numbers from
adopting that course and thus securing
not only the honor Of the State,
and have also robbed men Of the large
bounties offered by the Government, We
are decidedly in favor of anything which
will ensure a full quota of men. If this
exemption is struck out every man draft
ed, not physically disabled, must go, or
furnish substitute. And if the bounties
offered by the Government will not induce
men to volunteer, we may conclude that
substitutes, if obtained at all, will demand
much larger sum than $500. Ifthat sum,
offered by Government, won't allure them
we imagine it will not prove more attrac-
tive if offered by drafted man, who must
60 or supply his place within given time.
But we want the soldiers and must have
them. The Draft will bring them, sure
Though we prefer the volunteers, particu-
larly because they receive better pay, yet
these Copperheads seem to like the Draft
best. By all means let them have it, and
in their own mode and on their own terms.
Good Union men are willing to bear their
share of the duties and burdens Of the war.
They will 60 as volunteers, or will submit
to the conditions of the Draft with cheer
fitness. AS the Copperheads won't en-
courage volunteering, and have deliber-
ately and maliciously jeered at all who do
encourage it, let them have the Draft to
their hearts content, and let them have it
on the terms of giving or finding substi-
tute. And if they don't like the privilege
of procuringa substitute, let US have that
struck out also, and make all who are
drafted 60 anyhow. We don't object to
that either. It will suit us admirably to
see these Copperheads shouldering their
muskets and doing duty against their
friends in Dixie. We know they will do
good service when the alternative is to
shoot the rebels or be shot by them! II
they don't fancy this sort of a Draft, they
can do the other thing and seek to fill our
quota by volunteers. We are quite salts
fed that the $500 exemption clause will be
repealed before the Draft in SANITARY
Those who want the bounties will volun-
teer before. Those who like the Draft will
wait and take their chances. Union men
who are drafted and cannot go without
peculiar hardship will find substitutes on
some terms. But who will so as substi-
tute for Copperheads? Won't they have a
good time in finding them?
@- The mode pursued in some locali-
ties in the East, to secure volunteers is cal
culated to work great wrong in all cases