The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1865-02-16

ing and allowing for the time OF their SER
vice as we'll as the number of men. The
acts of 1861, above recited, have modified
this system by fixing a definite term Gone
year, for which men are to be drafted
Volunteers for not less than that term are
to be credited to their localities on the
quota and receive a certain bounty from
the Government. Such of them as choose
to enlist for longer terms receive further
bounties from the Government, but so far
as regards the increased term beyond one
year, are not to be credited on the quota,
but are to be left on the same footing that
all volunteers were on before the act of
1868. That is to say, the Government
announces that it will take by its authority
a certain number of men from locality
for military service for one year. That is
the lawful demand which it will enforce.
1t pays boanties in case of localities to
facilitate them in complying with this de-
mand without a compulsory draft. But it
has made no demand for men to serve for
two or three years The Government
receives and pays additional bounties to
volunteers for these terms, but in that it
deals with men only, and, as the increased
term Of service beyond one year is not
agreed to be rendered in compliance with
any demand Of the Government, it gives
the locality no credit on the quota for it.
The Government requires one hundred
thousand men for one year, lot a less
number of men for longer term For
deficiency in the number of volunteers for
that term, it makes draft for one year.
This is to .JtN the quota-not more nor less
-whenw the draft has been effected the
quota IS full-there Is neither excess nor
deficiency.
You sec that the system thus established
By law is not without foundation in reason,
and can be readily understood.
Sir, you may not have been heretofore
apprised of the fact that your subordiaates
are wholly disregarding the act of E4th
February, 1864. They are proceeding in
open and direct violation of it, and are
thus creating, naturally, great confusion
and uncertainty among the people. They
announce on the one hand that although
a three-years' man counts only as one
year man towards the quota on which he
volunteers, yet that he shall be counted as
three one-yeaT men towards the quota on
future call. This is directly in the teeth
of the law. On the other hand, they are
cyphering out deficiency on the last call
by counting three one-year's men as only
equivalent to one three-years' man, which
Is equally against law.
Thus, the quota of Pennsylvania, under
the call Of 18th July last, was filled In
accordance with the law by men to serve
for not less than one year. The term of
corv;ao Of tbaco ,,ar - :, ~ ,,ot loIp o,-,,;oJ
and yet your subordiuates are threatening
a draft TO fill an alleged deficiency on that
very call, the existence of which they at
tempt to make out by persisting in their
unlawful and unsubStantial theories and
calculations.
Our people know that the Government
requires more men. They are willing to
furnish them-heavy as the burden has
become on the industrial population Let
the Requirement. be made in the clear and
definite shape which the law provides for,
and it will be cheerfully complied with
But it is hardly to be tolerated that your
subordinates should be permitted longer
to pursue the system of substituting for
the law, an eccentric plan Of their own.
Sir, on behalf OF the freemen of this
cheerful and hearty support to your Gov
ernment in the prosecution of this war,
it is my duty to insist-and [ do insist
that you enforce upon your subordinates
that obedience to the law which you owe,
as we'll as they and all of US. 1t is of evil
example-it tends to epfeeble-nay, to
destroy-the just power of the Government
that you should suffer your officers to
treat with open contempt any acts Of Con.
gress, and especially those which you have
yourself approved, and which regulate
matter of such deep and delicate moment
as the enforcing Of draft for the military
service.
Relying heartily on your wisdom and
justice to set right what has thus been
going wrong, an0 to compel henceforth on
the part of all proper respect for and
obedience to the laws of the land,
/ am, sir, very respectfully,
A. G.. CURTIN.
Ba- Thackeray, when in the United
\