Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1863-02-05
The EXEMPTION ACT.
t.rrom ,he Chattanoosa N.ebsI.

rom Tue Oua0dHoVoa
! The repeal Of The exemption law
which limits the action OF the Con :
script law TO certain bounds pte-
scribed, bas become a matter of Sc
lrcus speculation among the people
land of actual notification ia Cou-
gress. Without entering upon an
argument of the eonscript abstrae-
tion--which we consider 10 have
been and to be one Of those disa-
ereeable necessities tolerated; rather
'ihan admitted--we have'this 10 ob-
serve, that there are civil, as well bs
military necessities. and that certain
exemptions from field duty are just rs
esse nlial, as c,rlain coercions. The
operation OF ordinary wars. taught
US by history aud learned by refrr-
ence. cannot be compared 10 the SC
;ion we are eUg'ged in; or any parnl-
lei drawn whatever. This is Ievo-
luton, not a rebellion. It's surges
are regular, consistent, and mOdera.
ted according 10 law, order, and es-
tablisbe,i usages. They do not Dash
like breakers upon rocky shore; but
they roll around the axisof free gov
erDmer,. The government il sus-
iaiued by the intelligence Of the peo-
pie. The intelligence Of tie people
is encouraged and kept alive by
perfect knowledge of current affairs.
by participation in them, by free
dom of lhousht, speech, and deed, by
sober convictions ani diseriminatiSs
judgment, between right and wrong.
II, according to scripture, there is
time to fight, there is also, according
to common sense, a class whose bu-
siness is not to fight. In war itself,
under military usage, the surgeons
aud the quartermasters are prohibited
from Fighting. The helpless, the
weak, the child, the woman, The old
naD, are to be cared for, as well IS
the seldier. The soldier toe, is to be
provided with food aDS raiment. IL
there must be wall of flesh and
blood in front to defend, there must
also be a wall Of meat and bread be-
hind to supply. NJ propositions are
clearer, thar the Sc, and the member
Of Congress, who, to curry layOr by
paudering to the mcmentary and
tbeughlless prejudiees Of the army,
allows bis judgment 10 forget them.
will commit gloss error in point Of
sagacity, and a crime in point Of pa
liotism. Without going. into an
enumsration Of the several branches
Of exemption, which should remain
as hey are, we must be permitted to
mention that Of the typographical
maternity, and add a few facts.-.--
First, that there ara fewer prlnters,
off military duty than from any 9TH
er trade, according to its numbers.
in the South; second, that public
printing requires certain number of
hands, and to re. Use one Office what
is granted another, is to create an OF
pressivo monopoly; aud thirdly, no
more effective suppression ST OF the
press, could bo devised, than by re-
tusirg the PRESS It's necessary work.
men, and forcing them into the mill
Etary service. The difficulty Of pro-
curing printers is tie best evidence
Of their patriotism and seryices.-
A distinguished member of Con-
gress, during The last session in op-
posing the exemption Of printers, re-
marked that the result of such
a measure, would create newspaper
at every cIoss-road How lamenta-
bly, that gentleman showed his lack
Of sagaGiryl DID be never reflect
that the popular mind is kept alive
and aglow aud iDf5rmed-aDd- thus
buoyed up, strengthened and sustain
ed-by the newspapers? Did never
the idea cross his fancy, that the
people Of this country. have always
refused to be kept in the dark2--
And weak manly how could be
: have committed the indiscretion Ito
say nothing Of the iguorance) of ron
, Mug up against that machine. which
: makes Congressman. rs we'll as he
roes,- half of what they are2