Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1864-01-13
:THK NORTH CAR LINA a. sIAnnARD:
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.

Z IS : - : coINrrTRE ~ :: 's4.
Mr.. Russell offered : hill to repeal certain ex-
emptions from military duty no# allowed by law. I
The bill is drawn on the popularfsllaey Of put
ting every man in the army, and repeals all e1-
emptiens from military service now allowed by law
70 all OF the white male residents between the sges
Of eighteen and forty.fve years. except the exemp-
tons for disability and the exemption of persons
holding Office in or under the Confederate and State
governments, or employed in State 0rdnance De- |
psrthents; of ministers Of the Gospel and Of State
troops, as now allowed by law. |
Mr.. Miles, chairman Of the military committee, !
said that the said committee to whom had been re-
fsrred number Of bills and resolutions relating to
exemptions, had perfected bill which be was au-
thorized to present to the House at the very first
opportunity. He could not, therefore, see the oc
cason for the bill presented BY Mr.. RUSSELL and he
hoped that the gentleman would withdraw it in
order that he might present to the House the bill
from the committee. 5.-.s-5--
Mr.. Russell said, that in order to have the bill
reported from the military committee, he would
move that the bill offered by him should, for the.
present. lie on the tabls. Thereupon Mr.. Miles re.
ported the following bill from the military commit
tee, regulating exemptions from military service
"a Bill to BE- entitled on dot repeoling szisting,
and regulasiag future exemptions from military
seroics:.
"7As Congre.., of the Cowedsrot. State. do
enact, That from and after the passage of this act
oil acts and parts Of acts exempting persons fronr
military SERVICE be, and the same are hereby re-
peaed except in SO far rs they relate to officers of
the Confederate and State governments; and here
after no other persons shall be exempt from such
service than the following to wit All who shall
be held to be unfit for military service under rules
to be prescribed by the Secretary of War; and such
other. persons as the said Secretary with the sp.
&c tho D~oo q
exempt in view Of the fact, which must be satisfac-
torily established, that such persons can, by their
skill, labor, occupation or employment better sub
serve the vital interests of the country, and con-
tribute more substantially to its defence outside Of
the army than in its ranks: Preceded, That in
even such cases absolute exemptions from military
service should not be granted if in the opinion Of
the Secretary of War, the same end can be- attained
by regularly enrolling and detsiling, for specified
tunes and stated purposes, the persons whose skill,
labor, occupation or employment may make their
services more valuable out Of, than IN the actual
ranks of the army"
Immediately after the reading of the bill several
members rose to- offer amendments, but the Speaker
said that amendments at that time would be- out of
order.
The bill was ordered to be printed and made the
order for every alternate morning until disposed of.
JOINT RESOLUTIONS IN REGARD TO THE WAR.
Mr.. Goode, of Virginia, offered the following joint
resolutions on the war:
"Resolced by the Congress u tho Confederate
States That the present is deemed fit occasion to
remind the people of the Confederate States that
they engaged in struggle for the preservation
both of liberty and civilization and that no sacri-
fee of life and fortune can be costly which may
be requisite to to themselves and their pos
terity the enjoyment of these inapprecable bless
ings and to also assure them that in the Judgment
OF Congress, the resources of the country if deve
Hoped with energy and husbanded with care, are
more than sufficient to support the most protraeted
| var which it can be necessary to wage for our in
dependence, and to exhort chem, by every consider
| alton which influence freemen and patriots to
magnauin,ous surrender of all personal and party
feuds to an indignant reouke every factions tenn
per- in whatever quarter or upon whatever ,pretext
it may be made to generous support Of all branch
es the government in the legitimate exercise Of
their constitutional powers, and to that harmonious
unseifish and patriotic co operation which can alone
tmpart to our cause the irresistible strength which
springs from united council fraternal feelings and
fervent devotion to the public veal"
Mr.. Goode supported his resolutions in some re-
marks. He thought that the beginning of a new
year offered opportune time for Congress to re-
new its expression of sentiment in regard to the
war; He wished the world to know that Congress
had no feeling Of dependency in regard to the uti
mate issue of this great struggle. He wished this
Congress to 20 forth, to show to the croakers and
grumblers and those who Fight their battles on the
street corners and always lose them that no one
on this floor shares ia their feeling of dependency
For one, be had no earthly doubt of our ultimate
success in this war. Let our men only be actuated
by the right spirit-the spirit Of people fighting
for their lbertles-and We could never be conquer.
| ed History does not furnish an example of the
subugation of nation of eight millions of freemen,
battling for their homes and 6resides.
Mr.. Goode- said that this war was war for our
sub)ugation and enslavement. The people had
seen enough to convince them Of this. The recital
of the gentleman from North Carolina orr Smith)
of the outrages perpetrated in his State by the
my [a.ludng to the arrest and Handwriting of ladies
for hostages for q negro soldier captured by our
men in North Carolina, particulars of which were
published in yesterdays paper-REP.] were enough
to show the atrocily of the vandsl foe. The pur-
pose of the enemy, as shown in this war, was to
devastate our homes, senslave our men, and mas.
sacre our defenceless women and children. With
this before their eyes, let the people renew their
determination, more firmly than ever, to carry on
this war to the bitter end, and at every sacrifice,
save honour, before submitting to the government
| OF the enemy. -.. ~
Mr. Curry approved the resolutions, but thought
they had better 60 to 3 select committee, where
they might be more maturely' considered. He pre-
ferred that the gentleman from Virginia who offered
them, should make this motion himself
Mr.. Keenan, Of Georgia, thought the resolutions
were good and opportune. He was in favour of
thep. Why refer them' He hoped that they
would be Immediately considered and unanimously
adopted.
Mr.. Machen, Of Kentucky, said, the resolutions
were good as far as they went. They declared that
we were lighting war of independence" &c
This was true; but what is the use Of it The PEG.
pie know it. He thought they should go further on
] the subject; that they should be more comprehen.
sive and de6nite and he was, therefore, in favour
Of their being referred
Mr.. Clapp, Of Mississippi, said he was greatly in
favour Of the resolutions. They were good las fa'
send thshto Aselect committee, who could consider
them, ana decide upoa the propriety Of an address