, 1863-03-06

|
ret supplies from this source, but they also t
ind in it free market for their pro-
lucts.
We hare reason to believe, however, that
Jnclo Sam has lis eye upon the contra ,
lands, and will soon put stop to their
5ame
TIE pRUss1AN SYSTEM OF CON
SCRIPTION.
The meeting Mt the German Hall passed
opposing the system Of con-
sc1iption adopted in the new law, and adj
yocatins the Prussian system in lieu
thereof. What is that system? Sew
eral intelligent citizens Of Prussian birth
have explained it to us. 1t is as follows:
1st. Every able-bodied man inthe king
dom between certain ages, must serve
three years in the army in time ofpeace as
well rs in war. After serving three years
he passes into the Laudwehr or reserve
militia
Cd If young man volunteers"
and furnishes his own clothes and food,
draws no pay, and supports himself free
Of expense to the Government, he is
obliged to serve but one gear in the army.
The other two years are remitted by the
Government. |
Sd. No conscrpit is allowed to furnish q
substitute under any circumstances. No
matter how poor be may be; no matter if
he be the only support Of a helpless, wid-
owed mother; he must go to the army
for the full term Of three years in time Of
peace as well as war No matter what dis
trcss and misery this inexorable draft
causes, there is no let up for the poor man.
Such is the Prussian system, which the
meeting at the German Hall insist shall be
adopted in this country. The concocters
Of the resolutions presumed largely on the
ignorance Of our people when they assert !
that the new law is framed expressly to |
oppress the poor and exempt the r7ch,
while the Prussian system Of universal
liability places all classes on an equal
fsoting. This assertion is palpable and
| impudcnt faIschood. Tho Prussian system
as We have stated, enables conscript to
get a discharge on one years service
on condition that be provides his own Ea-
lions and clothing and draws no pay. The
only class able to do this is the rich. The
wealthy man sends his son to some large
town to serve in the army for q year. But
this service is not loss Of time to the con-
script son Of rich man. He has been at
tending IN academy since he was twelve
years old. He is now eighteen and ready
to enter the university. His father sends
him to some city where there is
one, and, in company with other elegant
young gents Of his rank in society, he per-
forms few hours drill per day with d
musket, lance or sword, and the balance
of Lis time be can devote to his literary
pursuits or to pleasure with his broad
cloth companions. Many Of those young
men devote the leisure hours Of their con-
script year to the study Of military tactics
with view to entering the military pro-
fession as officers, like our own Vest Point
cadets. Thus the year is passed, and at
the end Of the twelve months the rich
mans son is excused from serving the re-
naming two years. But not so with the
poor mans son. He must put in the full
period Of three years.
But, says the apo1ogist and admirer Of
this Prussian system that so unjustly dis
eliminates against the poor, the man that
serves but one year must furnish his own
rations and uniform. Very true; but in
so doing he escapes having to eat the coarse
and scanty fare fed to the common con.
| script By the Government. His;rich father
:. provides him with luxurious diet. He
! may have his white bread, fine flesh
+ fish, fowl, and costly wines, served up By
! ! French cook.
I By providing his OWL uniform he is mol
obliged to wear the coarse cloth and stogJ
! shoes furnished to the common soldier, bu
: sports lis beautiful, shining broadclotl
+ uniform, and struts in patent leather boots
K It is therefore special favor to the ricl
:; that allows them to furnish their own foot
t and clothes. Thus We sec, that th
= much vaunted Prussian system O
universal and cqual liability" to per
= form military service, is swindle o.
d the poor. and monstrous humbue
c It expressly and intentionally tavors til
l. wealthy and oppresses the laborin.
is masscs Whatever may be the faults 0
C the new Conscription, it is certainly pre-
fcrable to the Prussian system. The ne7
= law can he amended next winter if th
S people desire it, and any features that ar
n likely to work unequa1ly, may be stricke
4 out. But one thing is certain, Congrcs
N will never adopt system, tha
re makes no exemption in behalf Of til
1e poor; that denies the right Of providing
Us substitute; that lets of tho rich with on
years sham service in broadcloth aud sum-
u tuous living, and compcls all others I
three years hard service on scanty ration
and in coarse clothes The America
~ \. ideas ofjusice, right and equality, rep,
- - diate the adoption Of such an intolcrabl
~ ~ aristocratic system for peace or war. l.
- US amend our American law If it needs
- but never adopt that odious discriminate
in favor Of the rich and against the poo
~