Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1864-01-08
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.

EyEMPTIONS--A BILL IZLPORTED FROM TIE
COMMITTEE
Mr.. Russell offered a bill to repeal certain ex-,
emptions from military duty now allowed BY law.
The bill is drawn on the popular fallacy OF put
ting every man in the army" and repeats all ex-
-emptons from military service now allowed by law
to an of the white male residents between the ages
of eighteen and forty five years. except the exemp-
tons for disability and the exemption OF persons
holding Office in or under the Confederate andS State
governments, or employed in State Ordnance De-
partments of ministers of the Gospel and OF STATE
trosps,S as now allowed by law.
Mr. Miles, chairman of the military committee,
said that the said committee, to whom had been re-
ferred number of bills and resolutions relating to
exemptions, had perfected bill, which ne was au-
thorized to present to the House at the very first
opportunity. He could not therefore, see the ocs
cason for the bill presented by Mr.. Russell, and he
hoped that the gentleman would withdraw 1t, in
order that he might present to the House the bill
from the committee.
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 table. Thereupon Mr.. Miles re-
ported the following bill from the military commit
Tee, regulating exemptions from military service:
" 4 Bill to be entitled an Act repeating existing,
and regulating .tuturs exemptions from military
Serpice: -
"THs Congress of the Confederate States do
all acts and parts of acts exempting persons from
military service be, and the same are hereby re-
pealed except in so far as 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 ap-
proval of the President, may deem it expedent to
exempt in view OF the fact which must be satisfac
torlly established that such persons can, by their
skill, labor occupation or employment, better sub
serve the vital interests of the country, and con-
tribute substantially to its defence outside Of
the army than in its ranks Provided, 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 detailing, for specified
times and stated purposes the persons whoSesklil,
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 o.
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:
" ResOlued By the Congress of the Confederate
States That the present is deemed lit occasion to
remind the people of the Confederate States that
they are engaged in struggle for the preservation
both of liberty and civilization, and that no sacr-
flee of life and fortune be too costly which may
be requisite to to themselves and their DOS
terity the enjoyment of these inappreciable bless
ingS; and to also assure them that in the Judgment
of Congress, the resources of the country If deve
lOped with energy and husbanded with care are
more than sufficient to support the protracted
war which it can be necessary to wage for our in
dependence aud to exhOrt them, by every consider.
alton which can influence freemen and patriots, to
q magnanimous surrender of all personal and party
feudS to indignant rebuke Of every factious tenn
per, in whatever quarter upon whatever pretext
it may be made to generous support Of all branch
of the government in the legitimate exercise of
their constitutional powers, and that harmonious,
unseltsh and patriotic cooperation which can alone
impart to our cause the irresistible strength which
springs from united council fraterna 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 deSpondency in regard to the ult
mate issue Of this great struggle. He wished this
renewed expression Of confidence on the part Of
Congress to go Torch, to show to the croakers and
grumbcrs and those who fight their battles on the
street corners land always lose theml that no one
on this floor shares in their feeling of dependency
For one, he had no earthly doubt of our ultimate
success in this war. Let our men only be actuated
by the right spirt-the spirit of people fighting
for their lbertIeS-and We could never be CONQUER
ed. History does not furnish example of the
subjugaton of nation ofeght millions of freemen,
battling for their homes and freSides
Mr.. Goode said that this war a war for our
subjugation and enslavement The people had
annDuh IN cnDvinOa thaTn of this Thar ;toI
of the gentleman from North Carolina orr SMITH
OF the outrages perperated in his State by the enc
my alluding TO the arrest and handcufing Of ladies
for hostages for negro soldier captured by our
men in North Carolina, particulars of which were
published i'll yesterdays paper-REP. were enough
to show the atrocity Of the vandal foe. The pur-
pose of the enemy, as shown in this war; was to
devastate our homes, enslave 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 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.. Kenan, of Georgia, thought the resolutions
were good and opportune. He was in favour of
Them Why refer themG 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
lighting a war of independence" &C.
This was true but what is the use of it. The peo-
pie know it He thought they should go furtheIon
the subject; that they should be more comprehen-
siveSnd definite; 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 as far
as they went but he thought it wodld be best to
send them to a select committee, who could consider
them, and decide upon the propriety of an address,
L. 10 h. IL thn- Gan 10