Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1864-02-17
Going Back 10 First Principles.

From the New ora Evening Post
4 Mr.. Eldridge, from Wisconsin, has intro
duced a resolution into Congress to the effect
that "a CONSUMPTION or enforced military ser
vice Is contrary to the principle of sel1gov-
eminent on which our Institutions rest But
why does the learned Theban conine his prop
ositiou TO military service alone II it be
true that enforced military service = incon-
sistgnt with the principle of self-government,
il is no less true that every other kind OF ser
vice which Il man is required to perform by
the general laws Of society is Inconsistent
with SelfgoyernmcHt- In other words, socle-
t. must resolve itself into voluntary assO-
chiffon in which each member shall be per-
tiled to DO as he pleases, without constraiut
c interference from others.
IL IS commonly supposed that every man
who enjoys the protection OF society Is bound
to contribute TO its support and welfare and
that II lie viii not do so willingly, or Of his
own accord, he must be made TO do 50. 4
sound and equitable administration Of justice
Is an Indispensable condition of orderly so
ciaI existence, and TO promote that end every
citizen is occasionally called upon to act a
Juror. Mr.. Eldridge. we suppose, would con
slider that service Inconsistent Win he prin-
cfpIc of sclf-governmcnt. GOOD roads are
necessary in the country, a membef from
Wisconsin ought to know, and paved streets
in the city. to facilitate communication ey-
cry citizen is required TO work upon the reads,
furnish substitute, on pay an equivalent
communication; but this, too, the political phi
io-oplcr from le West viii pronounce an in
fraction Of the principle OF seli-governnent
Public officers who execute the laws, inciud-
Ing Congressman, who make them, must be
paid for the service; every citizen is equally
bound to contribute to that payment; his
property or his person Is assessed for it, and
If DE refuses To pay ne is made to; but if we
understand the new light of the House Of
Representatives. this duty ought to be left to
. the voluntary discretion Of each individual
80 far as Mr.. EIdridGcs own pay Is concerned
we hope that when lie presents his little ac-
count to tile Clerk of the House he may be
rgterr to the 3" 0luutcer Fund for the pay
msut Of members of Congress- Indeed, VIC
are surprised that Mr. EIdridge does not in
consistency offer a bin doing away with all
taxes, and proposing to pay tie President,
his Cabinet, the Supreme Court and Con
glc~~ by haunrjes aud other volunteer cmolu-
Mcut-
Bul If lHe citizen is required to serve in
+ li- turn Ola jurics, to work on the public roads
/ 10 contribute to the treasury, why should he
/ NOT be required TO take his part in defending
the integrity of liberty of the nation by arms !:
Is enforced service, in one case, any more
. contrary 10 the principal of selfgOvcrnment
than in she other Why, indeed, should the
most imperative and important of all public
dutie--that of defending the nation-be left
t0 volunteers. and others be allowed to escape
+ it:Iu us IL seems that thc very principle of
euu4l rights and selfguvcvument demands the
/ CONSUMPTION or draft What is it but a sim
1 pic a4d just mode Of designating the few who
can best perform q duty which is incumbent
/ upon al, but i'm which all cannot, in the ma
Juro of things, engage Every citizen III
times ol q national danger, Is bound 20 20 to
tho war; bat it is impossible to equip every
mau some must stay at home to carry on the
/ business of society; and the government de
/ teEmine- Who Is to go, 10y lot, which Is the
most equitable method