Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1864-07-18
Exemptions from Militia Duty.

A citixe2 Wlo has takea considerable pains 70 inves-
tiTats the matte, i0forms W OF some qlaer tacs in
relation to exemp ions from militia cut. Happens
thai the rsls call for 900 or 900 msn, but tbs. only
500 can be mustered for regular duty, aad OF these
large proportion Sre foreig neis Hho since the excite
ment about ito Italians wac threw down their arms,
have performed militia service very faithfully. These
foreigners tog Their with nuubr OF our moe; re2Pect
able and IL usnliG Esns whoss names and residences
are well known, are abcu ell who can, u1der any T.
.cumstaness, be made to do militia duty. All oihors
liable to hs service manage by various devices to sVads
Is.
Among these skulkers may be casssd sham contractors
and detectives gamblers native born and foreign, bar
keepers, Yankees and others Men who have contracts
for clrTyig the mails in remote parts Of the CoDfeds-
racy, but have mover been within thousand miles Of
the place Of their contract, employ other men to fill It,
while they sSunter about the streets OF Redmond,
amulng and enjoying themselves to the top Of their
bent ThuI the CoaiederAcy oses the services o. two
men, the military law, both Of the Ccnfederacy and
SAFE are openly Volltsd and tbs shan contractor
fuses 10 do any military or militia duty whatever, no
matter what the emergency may be. is relIted
Of contractor who actually drew his pistols on the
officers who attempted to force him TO his duty.
As for those Who claim to be deteciTeJ ard do really
exhibit papers such, little need be said Their real
bu mess il vel kooWn TO tho authorities although The
means BY which they procure their papers remain a
mystery TO the public. Thers is shreWd uspicon,
however that some of theSe detectives belong to that
class which ia easily bought OF especially when set TO
watch o,iAs suspected Of dishonest Practices. Wha:
arts are resOrted TO by the gamblers born ia Virginia
in Baltimore, and by the bar keepers 10 escape both
from military and militia euy, is another mystery
Many Of them are said TO be men Of CT Eordnsry
physical 9Th and of remarkable psrscps courage
the men CT ali others to make good soldiers; yet hey
eoasriVs to obtain all the papers necessary TO exsmp
ton AndeSnnOs be induced go guard even for Elm
gsnght But she born Yankee shapers OF vari, kinds
Who are believed carry Union Gags upon their persons
aud sc have them il their house, cunning than
any # the By adrot d9dgpg in aud out o. The
Departments and other bstiaIoIs, by excessive iety
clsrty md ether arifces they keep cut of the ranks
ana never have Sai never intend to shoulder q
uuskss ia defence Of the State or tho Confedsracy
Nevertheless they quito wiling to keep taeir pases
OF business open when Others closed and by tel
they make vast sans Of money. 1t 10 aid lha;
t4s books OF enrolmen. will show number Of very
surprising exemptions grsntsd, or purportng to be
granted by the hg authorities 10 this valuable por
ton OF our population.
Sa5h is bare outline othe statements male to ua by
enc W5O has investigated tia subject. l. is q lite
tain that h3 exemptions, falsely honestly gIsaied
have made mil ia duty exceedingly srdu9us The won
der is that those who cautiously and ahully obey
tae militia lava shOuld allow themselves 10 bs imposed
on by tbs sku ke,s There ought to be- AID there
be, way OF reaching these Abe-bOd.ed eIsmpts.
Le the hOnsss minority take courage aud expose the
dishonest msjoriy. Have Psp,ri been iran1usnyy OBJ
tAinsd Les the fct DO established by specific charges
and NOS By vagu, accusA,iOnr. Do of,srI allow them
selves TO be kribed or ceoedi Investigate the mater,
pEObs it to the botscu obtsil fac s. and expose thu
ef,srS, whether they bs OF high or low grad. the
oVssasked eitissn militia viii do thu, ,te press and
the Whtla oomDu lity wi sustain them. We have rea-
bssVe Ihls Ihis evil become serious that
h longer be bJrne. The scenes ars to b. turned
ever, and the vernn which have besa Wrggliog and
Squraing in the dark to be exposed to the iull
blaze Of daylight.