The Tiffin weekly tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1859-1868, 1863-03-06
rhe Conscripnon.


Congre,s, aud doubtless approved before
this time by the Pres ident, is one Of the
most importpnt enacted since the COM
mencement Of the rebellion. II does
what should have been long since, pro-
vides in effect the whole force Of the
Nation, to be called into service as and
when II shall be necessary. That Il
was bitterly opposed in Congress wos
because Of the existence Of party there
bent on peace on any terms-peoee when
jeff Davis would have no peace, except
on surrender to him aud he rebel Con-
fcGeracy. The Senators and members
of the House who were not ripe for sub
mission, supported it and voted for it
This simple fact accounts for the SEEM
ing disagreement as to its support BY
Democratic and conservative members
Of Congress.
The more important provisions Of the
act ore as follows
Sec. |. That all nble-bodied male
citizens of the United States, and per-
sons of foreign birth who shall have de-
clured on oath their intention TO be.
come citizens under aud in pursuance Of
the laws thereof, between the ages Of
twoniy and foriy.fve years, except rs
hereinafter excepted, are hereby dcclar-
ed to constitute the national forces, and
shall be liable to perform military duty
in the service OF the United States,
when called out by the President for
that purpose.
Sec. 2. That the following persons
be, aud they are hereby excepted and
exempted from the provisions of this act,
and shall not be liable to military duty
under the same--to.wit such Os are
rejected us physically or mentally unfit
for the service also, first, the Vice
President Of the United States, Judges
Of the various Courts Of the United
STATES, the heads OF the various depart
ments OF The G oyernment, and the Gov.
crnors of the several States and, sec.
ond, the only son liable to military duty
Of widow, dependent upon his labor
for support fourth, where there are two
or more sons Of aged or iniirm parents
subject 10 draft, the lutber, or il he be
dead, the mother, may elect which son
shall be exempt iillh, the only brother
Of children not twelve years old, having
neither father nor mother, dependent up
on his labor for support sixth, the
father OF mothercss children under
twelve years Of age, dependent upon his
labor for support seventh, where there
are father und sous in the same fam
lily and household, aud two Of them are
in the military service of the United
States as issioned officers,
mus clans or priyates, the residue Of
such family and household, not exceed
ing two, shall be exempt ; and no per.
sous but such as are herein excepted,
shall be exempt: Provided, however,
That no person who has been convicted
Of any felony shall be enrolled or per-
mitied to serve in said forces.
Sec. Q. That the National forces oil
the United States, not now in the mill
tary service, enrolled under this act,
shall be divided into two classes, the
first of which shall comprise all persons
subject to do military duty, between the
naea- az 90 a-a o. JVurs uuu u,i untnur-
ricd persons subject to do military duty
above the age OF % and under that of
a the second lass shall comprise all
other persons subject to do military duty
and they shall not, in any district, be
called INTO the service OF the United
States until those OF the first class have
been exhausted.
Sec. 90. That Immediately after the
passage of this act, the President shall
issue his proclamation declaring that all
soldiers now absent from their regiments
without leave, may return within the
time specili to such place or places as
/ he may indicate in his proclamation, and
/ be restored to their respective regime nts
without punishment, except the forfei-
ture of their pay and allowances during
their ubsence aud all deserters who
shall not return within the time so spec.
/ fled by the President. shall upon being
arrested, be punished as the law pro.
yidcs.
In the place of a provision allowing
the drafted men to employ substitutes
TO serve in their stead, the law provides
that the sum OF $500 shall be the maxi.
mum, on payment Of which the Govern,
ment itself provides the substitute. II
other words, instead of allowing all man
ner of tricks and frauds to be perpetra.
ted by agents and others ia the procure,
ment of drafted men, the entire sun
paid by all persons for exemptions, viii
be expended for that purpose for the ben
eft of those persons who would wish t,
serve as substitutes. The provisions in
stead of bearing upon poor men vii
work to their adtantage-especially il
the matter Of those soldiers whose term,
Of service is about to expire, and whC
may thus secure a handsome and liberia
/ bounty for rc-enlstment. As there new
er was yet conscription or draft which
did not permit drafted men to hire sub
sti,utes, this provision is not lab te
uny serious or well-founded objections
at all.
Then sgain the exceptions seen BY
the sections quoted above, are all favor
able to ,.iose whose daily labor afford,
the mesos of support to helpless pa
rents, brpthers and sisters 'und children
and TO tiI Isse wig have already made tn,
....,., o.,ir,ot;c sacrit;nca % ,1,,t. l.,.v