Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1864-01-21
From TIE Richmond Sentinel.
COnDuls0sv CDnfItbutlonS

Flom the Richmond Sentinel
Compulsory Contributions.
1t was remark OF Gen. Washington in the strug-
gle OF the Revolution, that people would sustain tire
sacrifices and undergo the hardships Of such
was then raging, unless their patriotism reinforced
by the compusOn Of the law. Perhaps it is be
denied that when the freshness and novelty and romance
of camp lie have been exhausted, and the list impus
es Of patriotism succeeded by sober reaz alton
of the magnitude OF great struggle lis tolls, dangers
and privations-there considerable per centage OF
persons in every population whose hearts faint aud
whose hands grow weary These, If left to themselves
will leave the public service and throw the whole bur
den on those OF greater fortitude that remain These
last thus left unsupported, will revolt at the inus
tice and the ncre ased tolls thus visited upon them and
many of them will forget their public duties for their
personel rights.
In the pending we have passed through the vol
untay and inn usive stage, and entered upon the
pusory and practical 1t will be proud page in
history, wher, it is recorded the volunteers poul
ed into the lid in the campaign of 1861 WLea the
next year opened Congress and the Executive thought
the time had come when something more was nee s5ay
in order enable to meet the mighty onset which
our enemies were preparing to pTecpltate upon US
Hence conscrptiOn, or general draft, Urdercd.-
The veterans OF army and the country saw the ne
CT sy which had arrived, and supported III. law with
remarkable unanimiy. 1t was necessary 10 apply the
form of compuson TO ALL In order to visit 1t, dc
upon these who would have otherwise avoided the
my All we're then satsf to serve where all were
compel Ell 10 bear their p1rts.
But there was one cous quence of this change Of pol
icy that the GOVERNING authorities failed ese and
this day very impertecty realIz3 The substitution
of the compulsory for the voluntary principle IN the
army, demoralized the voluntary principle everywhere.
The Goverhmen in effect, SAID to the people, "HencGS
forth, what we want, will levy for and tXtract"-
here remained thousands Of citizens the civil walks
of Ie as well in the military SERVICE who retained
the old volunteer spirit. Hence the maty liberal con
trbutions to The OBJ cts OF the war; and the
sacrifices made promote them. But this as-d
h r1Ia and lpCl and
In namber, till now comparatively oay noble few
main. Men have adapted themselves to the stand
ard. They have felt at liberty we speak generally
pursue their interests every direction the very
verge of restraining law. They higge prices with
the Government getting the last they can, and they
withhold from 1t whatever is not exacted.
The Government has been following up this retreat
ug spirit of the people, but it has followed slowly aud
nadt quateIy II has hestaed to apply the principle OF
ptOn to contributions Of civil service. 1t has
made fee with the ue of the people for the public de-
fence, but it is tmid about taking their property! Da
We, indeed value property as dearer aud more sacred
than life? Doubtless there individuals who love
money above every thing but let not Congress give
color of SUPPORT to the deestabe sentiment Let them
consider the OF the county certany less
at their command for its defence than ite usUn-Our
brothers aud friends
The bill and the finances of the country are now
under the anxious consideration of Congress We
monty well asmen. We wish for nothing i'll the leg
ielaton either head extreme as to ovelleap
ject, and to cripple what it meant employ. But
We want TO see Congress egslae without aUy fear of
the outcry of such unwilling to contribute ado
quatey their means to support the war. The policy OF
cOmpulsion has been established by Congress- and
become generally necessary Let them refrain from
employing it, Let them conscribe means as readily
they conscribe men,
On this subject find in the Charleston Courier,
a letter fro Hon. Mr.. Miles, of South Carolina. We
make the following extract presenting the question
In very forcibie light:
;,h+ tsll
byof induclng sufficient funding of outstanding Treasu
ry notes TO reduce the currency to proper limits
suffice. Nothing short of compulsory funding will reach
ne evil Eountsfy sno!pR lse o1aieerlng 10 Tie amy
the who fght for The defence of country
One would suppose that there would be sufficient
ment to make every who handle gun (aLd wh5se
services are not OF greater advantage to the ~
home) aacrty into the ranks for the privilege
of defending his home ard fire ds. Yet volunteering
Is even win US, fighting as against the Ell
Invaders fighting ever thing men hold dearfo ex
sence Notwithstanding, a Of Increasing our
army at an end 30 the voluntary purchasing Govern
ment securities Of diminishing our currency is
equally at an end And yet reduce itand speed
~ too-or swift bankruptcy aud repu1iati neVa.
oily Cvertake Why then conscrtbs all Treasury
Loes between certain Cor agesj put the
ranks OF duly registered Cor enrolled boldsO Is compul
sory funding ''bresch OF faith any than
ing years service when the Of
the service for which they entered the army only
twelve nths? There was g. eat outcry and clamOr
aeon! pghted faith when the Conscripton bill
duced by the Military Committee. 1 well remainder how
much was said about offering inducements to keep our
soldiers In the army or to persuade them voluntarily tor
alone among the House In voting tor the
measure And country has, think, become
fed that the Conscript and necessary.
believe conscrption of Trea ury the way Of
compulsory funding will in time be considered by the
. hole country, as equally wise and necessary.
A TRIBUTE TO GEN. JACKsoN.-lu the report of Sec.
etay Seddon the following tribute to Stonewa Jack
on occurs
Around him clustered, with peculiar warmth, their
,ratitude their affections, and their hopes. His deeds
lad approved him warrior OF the highest order, the
Whole tenor of bis life, in peace 10 war; had shown
i'm the very type and model of the christian hero
from the first battle of Manassas, when by bis rmness
nd invincible will be earned the title now ndissouby
connected with his name, down to the battle OF Chan
eorsvie, where bis dauness vaor struck its final and
most decisive blow be identified with almost every
important movement aid brilliant victory in Vir4 nia
lie had lived long enough to reap full harvest Of
anne, to have become an example of his countrymen,
I'D the admiration OF the civilized world. But TO the
his loss is felt be not only ireparab,
ecause the memory of bis deeds and the spirit be in
pired glow through the hearts o. it's armies to animate
noble emulation and kindred deeds OF VAlor patriot
I'm, and se devotion. 1 he blood OF such martyr 10
cause of southern liberty and ind 1pendence
4 loo - laIap jgtvo ,.I