Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1863-06-03
THE NEW DRAFT.

A draft for 100000 men will shortly be or
dered by the President for the purpose of FL
ling up the old regiments. 1t is not the pres
ent intention to form any regiments.
There is no time to drill and prepare regi
ments for this campaign. Recruits sent into
old regiments will be more fit for field service
in thirty days than they would be in six
months put into new regiments under green
officers. 1t viii be far better for the con-
scripts that they be assigned to the old regi-
ments and placed among the veterans who
have experience in the routine and duties OF
the camp, and who understand. how to avoid
many things that iniure the health and cause
sickness. The old bronzed warriors know how
TO cook, wash, sleep, camp. and march to the
best advantage, aud can teach this valuable
Information to their new comrades.
Many friends of the Union impatient at
the delay in ordering draft, but it has been
caused In getting ready. Considerable time
must necessarily be consumed in preparing
forms and instructions for the deputies, prin-
ting them, and sending them ont There was
some time lost in selecting Provost Marshal
General.
the draft nearly perfected, and the appoint
ments of the assistants for the districts
nearly all made. In a few days more the
rollment will commence, to be followed by the
draft speedily as possible. Those copscrip-
ted will be at once mustered into service, uni
formed, rationed and assigned to their regi-
ments after few days preliminary instruc-
ha fOr tha ~
the draft are already printed.
Each State will be credited with the time
for which her troops have enlisted. One three
years man in Illinois will reckon as much as
four nine months men from Pennsy lvania. If
draft for 100000 men be ordered, not to
ceed six or seven thousand will be required of
lllinois-perhaps not so many-while Penn
sylvania and New York will each have to raise
from forty to fifty thousand.
But the most difficult to determine in rela-
tion to the whole matter, is the proper con-
struction of the 18th section of the Conscrip-
tion act. If it be construed to mean that
the Government must receive $500 in commu-
tation of service from conscript, then the
purpose and intentions of the law is in great
degree nullified and defeated. Suppose every
conscript offers $500, the Government will
If the 18th section be construed as obligatory
on the Government to receive money for per
sonal service, the act it is felt, will be fail
ure, and the Government win be left without
the ability to procure men to I'll up the ranks
of the wasted regiments. The few men that
may be got that are unable TO raise $500 will
consist of those having the least interest in
perpetuity of the Union, and consequently
will make the worst soldiers.
The Secretary of War holds that the act
leaves it as optional with him to oreceive mon
ey communication as it is for the conscript to
offer il. The 18th section says that s'any per-
son drafted may pay S3O0'' .'to such person as
the Secretary may authorize to receive it,
s'for the procuration of such substitute.' -
$500. if received, is to be paid to some per-
son who offers himself as substitute. The
law makes no other provision for the use of
the money. The Secretary of War is not a
Federal treasurer. He gives no bonds-he is
not financial officer. The assistant provost
marshals are not Federal treasurers, under
bond. They have no for the commute
tion money, unless il be to pay it over direct
ly to persons who have volunteered as sub
stitutes. What the whole act calls for is men,
not revenue. 1t is not bill to raise money
| to support the Government but TO procure
able bodied men to fight public enemies. ANY
| other construction nullifies the law. The 18th
section should, therefore, be construed in har-
mony with the purpose and object of the act,
and not technically in way 10 render it abor-
tive, to take away the power of national self
defence, which is simply suicide. The Sec
| retary of War holds that be is not bound to
receive any conscript's money unless thtre is
sssubstitute'' standing ready to take the
money and serve in his place. This is the
common sense view OF the act. Another ques-
tioa is raised in this connection: Is ii consti-
tutional, after drafting a body of men, to let
| off three-fourths of them upon the payment of
a few dollars, and to force the remaining
fourth into the camp and battle field ? 1t is
certainly not in accordance with the princi-
ciples of republican government.
There are two methods proposed that will
| save the act from proving abortive. The first
| is tor the Secretary of War to appoint a.
| gents to receive the $500, as il is clearly op-
| tionaI with him. The act says he ssmay ap-
! point a person. to receive the money. Sup
| pose he concludes he won 't.what then Why,
the conscript must find his own substitute or
go himself. This is the short, blunt, Jackso-
man mode of solving the difficulty. and the
course that ought to be pursued. The other