Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-03-23
fFrom the Newark Daily Journal
rhe Voice of New Jersey on the Con-
s~cripfiou Act.

The CONSUMPTION act has passed both Houses
of Congress. and will of course receive the sigma
ture of the President There is no doubt of its
unconstitutionaliiy; but a. the object of war has,
in the ewes OF all men, ceased to be the preServa-
ton of the Constitution of the United States, the
proposed conScription is entirely consistent with
the purposes and objects of the Administration as
indicated BY all of its measures and acts for
months past. If tie North is now lighting for
anything valuable, il must be found in the prin-
cip,e of Capitalization, which is now the avowed
object OF the war. The restoration of the old
Union is virtually declared an absurdity and an
impossibilitv by those who control the Govern
ment at Washington; and after the loss OF nearly
half a million OF men. and the wasieinl enpendi-
ture of So 900 900 600. the North is again to be
called upon tn furnish nearly al Of its young
men to sustain the usurping powers at Washing
ton in enforcing a centralized despotism-in
breaking down our cherished form of Govern
ment. and in wiping out State rights and individ-
ual liberties.
Are our State authorities, or the p~eopleof New
Jersey, willing to submit u the proposed revolu-
ton in our system of government No one can
deny that the programme of the Administration
means revolution, and for one. we believe that
snch a programme should be steadily resisted by
every rightful means which Col has given a free
Ie1pie. If there are laws to protect the citizen
against despotism; if our Northern Legislatures
and Executives are worthy of their positions; IT
the people have one 1.-THE Of the virtue and man
illness of their fathers, they will steadily refuse to
be offered up as victims to the internal destTuc
tive policy of the Abolitionists.
We are glad to see that the press of New Jer-
sey is waking up to the importance of the crisis,
and calling upon the State authorities to protect
the people and the rights of the State The True
American, of Trenton, well says:
"Try the proposed conscription law BY the test
of the constitutional provisions and the decision
of the Courts referred to, and it will be found TO
be.a far different thing from what is contemplated
bv them Unaer il the Governors Of the States
are set at naught from the very first step in the
process to the last.
but as il to make the law as odious and unjust
as it can be. a most invidions distinction is made
between men of means and others. The Secre-
tary of War is authorized TO allow exemptions
upon the payment of a sum not exceeding $5OO
into the Treasury. by which means the poor man,
whether willing OF not, Is forced INTO the service,
and the rich man, or he who has rich friends. IL
exempted.
"If this law is allowed TO 60 into effect, the
State militias will be entirely annihilated. the
States rendered powerless to enforce their laws,
when resisted within their respective borders; and
will become more dependent upon the Federal
Government than the Colonies were upon the
Government of Great Britain previous TO the rev.
~olution. We ask the Legislature to look al this
matter and consider its importance. We ask the
Executive to consider il likewise in all It's bear
ings, and in the name Of the people of New
JERSEY, to determine whether he viii submit as
Commander IN Chiefofall the military and naval
forces of the State, TO be the subordinate Of some
petty Provost Marshal. commissioned by the
President of the United States, OF whether salts
fed with his own personal exemption from ser
vice. he viii see the Generals, Colonies and
other officers of the State militia, organized under
the Constitution Of the State o. New Jersey, and
in conformity with the Constitution and laws OF
the United States. bereft of their commands, and
drafted as privates into the United States, with
out an effort to prevent the dishonor. This Is q
matter Of grave importance, and should be 50
treated by the Governor and Legislature Of the
State. Il is easier to prevent an evil than TO
! remedy H."