Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-02-27
FROM WASHINGTON.
TUESDAY. Feb. IL
Recognition of Divine Government.

ANhohAhF Ntbs IL
Recognition of Divine Government.
Among the petitions recently presented to
the Senate, was one from Egbeft 7. Smith
and others, Of New York, asking an amend
ment to the preamble Of the National Con.
stitution, so as to declare: We, the people
Of the United States, grateful 10 Almighty God
for our Independence, in order to form more
perfect union" &C., and to prefix to every
paper emanating from the Government the
words "And God prosper and bless the Re-
public" Some recognition Of dependence
upon God would have been we'll placed in the
National Constitution, and it may weE be
done, whenever there shall be an occasion for
amendment but without it, let Christians
daily remember that dependence, and invoke
the divine aid for the perpetuity and purity
Of our nation. An offering by the people,
like that asked for in the petition, would be
once for all time, whereas the nation needs
the daily offering, and never needed it more
than now.
Punishment Of Fraud,
The Senate on Saturday passed bill for
the prevention and punishment Of frauds on
the government ; among other things giving
half Of the forfeiture or damages to the per-
son instituting the suit and prosecuting it to
final judgment. In the numerous and large
transactions connected with the war, conve-
nicnt opportunities for fraud have occurred,
and rascals have taken advantage Of them
Severe and summary measures are called for
The courts, both civil and military, will pun
ish frauds, according to this bill and in
cases in the military or naval department, the
extent Of punishment is limited only by the
words save the punishment Of death. -
The House will undoubtedly concur so
rogues may take warning 49, albeit ! hope
there are none in Vermont. The man who
would rob the government in these times is
hardly less criminal than a rebel.
The Militia BIZ
Passed the Senate yesterday Drafts are
to be made in two classes first. Of males be-
tween 20 ami IS years of age, aud next Of
those between 35 and As. Everybody is La
BILE to draft, between 90 and IS. except gov
ernors Of states aud iuges Of courts. At
tempts we're made to exempt members of con-
gress and clergymen. but both we're objected
Every man drafted must serve, OF procure a
substitute, or pay a ,mmutatiou to govern
ment not exceeding $500. to be fixed by the
Secretary Of War. Whatever the sum fixed
may be, it will. practically, be the prics for
substitute. This bill is very important, and
it will effect, as the design is, great change
in the mode Of filling the army. There will
be no calls for volunteers or militia, but all
will be done by drafting. 1t IL the fair and
honest way. Let every one take his chance
fairly with his neghbors; and II he will not
20 when the lot falls to him, let him procure
a substitute do not see why even govern
ors and judges should be exempt from the
draft. True it is their services are wanted in
an official capacity. are the services Of mem
bers Of congress But what Of that II
they are drafted, let them get substitutes. In
other words, let them take an equal chance
with everybody else, for the cost Of a subsu-
tute, if they cannot serve personally. see
no injustice or impropricty in it, but rather
the contrary II anybody is TO be exempt, it
should be clergymen, who will generally be
unable to procure substitutes at the price Of
$500, or anything like that sum. But their
Pensioners can contribute it,