The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1864-03-04
For the Bedford Gazette.
B0unties.

propriety of the payment OF bounties by the |
borough, for the purpose of avoiding the draft |
about to be made, will show that it would be
unfair, imprudent, and Illegal, and would not
accomplish the object intended and to give to
the subject the careful consideration it merits,
will lead to the conclusion that the system Gf
it can be so called) of bounties is in opposition
to sound policy and is an active agent in the de-
moralization Of the country
A glance will make it evident, that it would
be unfair, if we bring to our remembrance the
course pursued previous to the draft that has
been made; at that time no effort was made to
avoid the draft, and those who were not ex-
emptcd had the alternative of serving or pay
ing the comm utation; would it not be an act
of injustice to add to the burden already borne
by compelling them to pay tax for the pur-
nose of relieving others2
To contract t.sbt that can be avoided, in
view Of the heavy outlay that will soon be fore
ed upon us, for the necessary purpose Of sup
plying the town with plentiful. supply of wa
ter from an unf;iling source would be an act
Of imprudence; ordinary foresight will compel
the adoption of plan, with reference to the
increase Of population, the improvement OF the
higher streets and their extension; large ex-
penditure of money will therefore be required.
An examination of the general Borough laws,
by which we are governed, will show conclu-
sively, that the Council would act illegally and
without authority, in contracting debt for such
purpose and to so large an amount; and in
order to reconcile ourselves to the performance
of an illegal act, by CLOSING it with the lacquer
of necessity or expedency is base cheat; when
offices are accepted, be they humble or elevated,
the holders by that acceptance, obligate them
selves to act in q manner worthy OF the conf.
dence placed in them, and to perform with fl
deity the duties of their position; there are no
gradations in the binding force of oaths, the
oath of the most obscure and unimportant Of
flee compcls an observance and the performance
of the duties of the office as strict and unswarv
ing as that of the most exalted; the opinion
that prevails to too great an extent, that an Of
flee of little influence requires little attention to
its obligation, is opposed to every principle Of
morality.
If we take into consideration the length of
time we have been engaged in this war, the still
defiant attitude of the South, and the number
of men we have remaining fit for duty, it will
be evident, to the least discerning, that the pay
ment of bounties will not free one man from
| pedient to defer that which will be the lot OF
every one liable to military duty, and this will
be made, if possible, more certain, if the war is
to be carried on for the present avowod purpose,
that of destroying the Institution of slavery.
For we can no longer hide it from ourselves, if
we have the moral courage to shake off self-dc-
lusions and to free ourselves from the erroneous
impressions made by tho false statements of de-
signing men, that in opposition to al outside in
reference with their home Institutions, the South
is unit, that resistance to all attempts to de-
prive them of what they hold to be reserved
| f'o'i'",s - - i>-, ont thar oap konn
nm army in the field There cannot be a doubt,
that if the plan of the Administration is to be
sustained, the services of every man capable of
bearing arms will be needed in the field. If six
millions of united Americans ara to be subu-
gated, a stronger and more elevated feeling than
that exerted by money must animate the con-
querors-bornties will not do it.
In conducting war, and especially one of
long duration, sound policy calls for plan that
will keep an army up to its required strength,
without delays or hindrances of any kind The
want Of well disciplined reinforcemeuts at the
proper time and in sufficient numbers, will
defeat the best matured plans of the most skill
ttGl General, and is certain to lengthen out the
war, if there are no worse results. The rely
ing upon bounties to bring out men in sufficient
numbers at the time they are wanted, is hazard
Gus; for by not having like effect at the same
time in all sections of the country, delays are
caused, and consequently troops are forced into
the field before they are properly disciplinsd.
| After the country has been drained of certain
number of the able-bodied men, bounties will
become ineffective-a resort must, be had to
harsher means, which will frequently meet with
| resistance, and will always be obeyed with re-
luctance That tho paying of bounties is a
| cause of decentralization, will not admit of
difference Of opinion; fassby appealing to the
money getting propensity, and exciting the de-
sire for gain, patriotism is deadened-the stand
apd of the soldier lowered to that of the merce-
nary-the pride of home lost-men seeking the
highest bountics base selfshness encouraged; !;
the poorer sections being deprived Of their men
by the richer. A system SO radically wrong,
from which flows so much that is evil and has
a tendency so injurious should be condemned
and abandoned.
AS plan for raising and maintaining armies
in times of war, Il Constitutional draft, whether
under the control of the States or the power
delegated to the General Government, has many
strong reasons why it should be preferred. And
as means for the promotion and preservation
| of peace, the reasons are of greater force But
to make it effective, either as plan to be used
in times of war, or as means for the advance
mont of peace, it would require to be the only
method permitted for the bringing out of the
citizens and organizing them into armies; and
it should be made obligatory upon all to serve
who were drafted and returned capable of per-
forming military duty.
We are passing through the ordeal that has
been fatal to Republics if we are to pass through
it safely, if escape is possible, we must, with
all the GOODNESS we can command, look at our
situation as it really is. We must free ourselves
from that weakness, by which we are made to
follow without injury the course Of others, we