Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-03-09
The Conscriptron Law

We publish this morning the conscription bill
in the precise shape in which il has become law.
1t will be noticed that the law values able
bodied white men at three hundred dollars just
the price fixed for negro slaves in the District of
Columbia by the Government practical illus.
tratiOn of negro equality.
Among business men and the wealthy classes
the law exctes hut little attention. for they
can purchase exemption from its requirements;
but among the poorer classes, who have fam-
lies dependent upon their daily labor
for support, it will cause intense feeling-such al
ready is its effect We expected that the three
hundred dollar exemption clause would have
been stricken out of the bill IL is an arrstOcratic
provision that should not find favor in demo
cratic Government. and its tendency must be to
develop poor mans party-to excite the poor
against the rich.
We understand that Horace GREELEY regards
the law pe,ce measure, while Others occupy
ing high positions in public estimation look upon
it as a financial scheme designed to repenish the
empty Golfers of the Government. We publish
the bill just as it was made law and every man
must be his own Judge of its character its objects
its policy and its expediency at the present time
The RESOLUTIONS OF the Fourteenth
ssegiment.
1t is most unfortunate sor the discipline of the
srmv that many of its officers. to accomplish
personal ends, have introduced the consideration
and discussion of party and political issues among
both the rank and file. The policy will react
upon those who hoped thereby TO gain an advant-
age for themselves, and the general effect will be
to demoraize the army. Such resolutions upon
political affairs entitled to but little considera-
ton. especially when the means used to secure
those expressions are known, and the mOtives
which influence the leaders in getting them up.
The Journal of yesterday contains the proceed
ings of a meeting of the officers of the 18th reg-
ment Indiana volunteers. and the resolutions
adopted by them in reference to a reported condi-
ton of affairs in Indiana-repOrts which have
no foundation in truth in fact. The
proceedings say 1.-The resolutions were unani-
mously adopted by every soldier in the 18th regi-
ment Indiana Volunteers, amid loud cheers and
great enthusiasm" That is one side of the story
There is another side, which puts an entire differ
ent face upon the matter. Ii appears that the
private soldiers of that regiment do not coincide
in the views expressed by its officers. and they
certainly can have no motive in view but an
honest expression of opinion. Below will be found
a statement, signed by sixteen members of one
company, which undoubtedly tells just the truth
in regard to the reported passage OF the reSou-
tons by the l4,h regiment and the true sentiment
of the private soldiers upon the political questions
now agitating the country:
CAMP l4TH REGT. INDIANA VOLUNTEERS
February "a, 1863
WHEREAS The officers of this regiment have
sent to the State of Indiana series of resolutions
denouncing majority OF the citizens of our State,
and said resolutions purpOrt to be the sentiments
of our regiment, we, the Undersigned do therefore
consider i our duty and privilege to say to the
citizens of Indiana that those resolutions do not
contain the sentiments o. one fourth of this reg-
ment. The facts are as follows: Our regiment
was formed this evening at FIVE o'clock, the reso-
lutiOns were read by our Adjutant. after which
Colonel Cavins made short speech, in which be
denounced the Legislature of Indiana as traitors,
tories &c. and virtually threatened any soldier
with the Rip Raps who did not ndOrse the resolu
tons. The consequence was. about twenty FIVE
persons including commissioned officers voted
for the resolutions. The remainder did not vote
In fact, they could not without making just such
animal OF themselves as Christ rode into Je-
rusalem Our company numbers twenty three
men, three Of whom voted for the resolutions.
The vote in other companies would average about
the same.
We. the undersigned, members of Company F,
18th Indiana Volunteers, do depounce said reso.
lutions as humbug. They do not contain the
sentiments of this regiment, but gotten up
BY officers who bsar commissions under the au
thorities of our State, and were sanctioned by
them only.
R. K KirtleJ, Edward jenkins,
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