The Morgantown monitor. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1863-1864, 1863-03-21
What the Rebels think OF our COnscript
Law
T From the Richmond Examiner.


We publish 4 flu! synopsis of what is Justly
REGARDED is tie most important document tlli't
has been published b. the United States during
the Wharf.-The Federal CONSUMPTION Bill.
1t will be perceived hat this act is very dit
i,.rrnt instrument from the CONSUMPTION law now
in force here 1t is not framed upon our plan.
Dat is Il strict COPY Of the French, Sandman ana
other European conScrptionS The draft on the
incubation is much less general than that by our
law and will produce fewer recruits 20 the army
in prouort;un TO the numbers Of the inhabitants.
The ,r;ucinlc Of the Southern law is that every
man Shall he placed in the position where he can
most effectively serve the country and cid the
war. Hence it cxcmprS only those engaged in
certain industrial pursuits, the continuation OF
which are Indispensable to The subsistence OF the
army and the support of the government IN lis
legitimate functions. and those fundamental OPP
cratiunS Of SOFIA! existence on which both &C.
bend. These classes are limited. But the Nor
thern law Of exemption is founded on various
social distinctions Including great numbers. even
if strictly interpreted and which admit OF al
most unlimited stretching.
The true meaning Of ibis law is to be found in
those clauses which relate TO the return Of men
aud officers now ahSeut from that vast armr, cX-
istng on the pay rolls of more than one million
OF men The law does not seem intended 10 in
crease the numerical force of the United States
already larger than that country or any other
can long raintain-nOr will it do so. Its OBJ
iect seems to be, hrSt-to prevent the men, whose
term Of enlistment has expired, from leaving
their ranks in May. Sccond-to enable Lincoln
to make such future drafts on the ncoplc rs tie
waste OF war may render necessary. and 10 carry
on the war without the assistance ct the new
Congress now about TO enter on lis term and in
defiance Of the ma lortv Of the people who desire
Il cessation uf huSlitieS These objects the law
will certainty accomplish.
1t is calculated TO provoke great resistance
from the people and the States. We cannot now
estimate the power. extent Or results of the dis
couten; and opposition. But we fear those who
suppose that this opposition will render the law
iuOucrative and end in - revolution. mistake
the present condition o: the North. 1t has been
Justly remarked that they assume the people OF
that country to be now what they formerly were
and guagc their spirit and determination by the
sentiment which ST Ii prevails among ourselves.
They do no! realize the fact that the government
of the Uaitvd States has CONCEALED into IL dcSpot-
ism and that its inhabitants have actually sunk
down into the characteristics Of AFFECT, trembling
and uudeuyinr slaves. 1t is the part OF reason
to anticipate the triumph Of Lincoln and the en-
tire execution of tie law. Nor need we stand
appalled, at its probable consequences. The
Southern government need only enforce in all
the States the CONSUMPTION law now existing. 10
procure such addition TO Its pres ent army. that
il will not only be rs great as the country can
maintain. or rs any generals are capable OF ma
nmuvering, but ahundaullv sufficient to meet ut
all points every force that the Northern conscrlp-
tion will send to the field