Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-09-02

How the Services OF the First were
Repudiascd BY Congress and the
Services OF the second Ac.
knowledged ~ the
Legislature.

Militia No l, known ~ the Enrolled
Ducks, we're sgsy crowd. Nobody feared
them, and they feared nobody. The
shadow or even the substance Of shout
der-strap brought no terror to their souls
They were hardened as steel against CO.
erciou, aud vet they fell into ranks, not
through fear Of the bsyonet, but in dread
Of fine--for fine in those days smsrted
exceedingly sore, as grub was dear and
money scarce.
1t never entered the heads Of the En-
rolled Ducks, while paying for their
passes, that their services and their pay
would be repudiated by the "best gov.
eminent the world ever saw" Nothing
at that time could have convinced them
Of this singular fact--not that they were
OVERLOOKING with "loyalty" whatever
that may mean in republican form Of
government, but because they we're
filled with the idea that government is
no better than any other boss, aud is ex-
pected to pay fair wages for fair work.
Now, however, they see the folly OF their
expectations, and groan over their losses
Nor we're their losses small. General
Order No 81 issued from the head
quarters of the Enrolled Ducks, and
dated January 10, 1864, ordered the col
lection of 81 for leach furIough or dis
charge given" As the Ducks were fond
of furloughs, it is presumed large reve
nues we're from time to time collected.
Where those revenues went nobody
knows, or seems to know, as no account
was ever rendered, or probably no books
kept "No. 3" further ordered a " fine in
each case from 81 to $40" on " members
Of companies failing to attend drills or |
meetings." and those who refused to pay |
the fine were to "be arrested and con-
fined in the military prison Irving |
Block until the same shall be paid" So
there was no escape. 1t was either pay |
or punishment A fun.loving chap, nm
der $4,000 bond to furnish proof of
facts justifying the insinuation of fraud
in an article over his signature" wasted
forty pages of foolscsp in the effort, and
came out of the case victorious AL
lowing" said he, in his argument, "for
sick and excused members one fourth of
each company, and the reports show only
the force generally on parade,
the remaining one.fourtb, being absen-
tees, would contribute fund of $4,000
\ week. Thus: 30 companies OF 80 mem
bers each-2400 men; two parades
week; absent each parade, 600-l200, at
$40 fine each, Sl2 1000 In April, how
ever, parades were limited to once a week |
and in June to every alternate week.
This reduced the amount of fines in May
10 1924 900 month, and in July, without
including fines for drills, patrol and
guard duty, or taxations for signatures,
furloughs and discharges, to
BIZ, 900, which, being the lowest figure,
shows the collection of Sl44.00 a year."
That was heavy on the Ducks. The fun
owing chap further said: ut has been
he practice to close business houses
Turing parades; indeed, it seems to be a |
Wish with commanders to call forth as
many drills, guard duties, fine collectings
md pass-renewings as to keep poor men
rom their labors two days in each week
lin such times, too, when it costs forty
dollars week to board family. have
,nown poor men fined large sums who
we're unable to pay house-rent. l saw
nan forced to do guard duty, through
ear of imprisonment, when he was ,
csrcely able to stand with rheumatism.
indeed, if l were disposed to wiring tears
rom human eyes, l could recount dis
resses caused by this militia system that
Tould cast into shade the Affections of
OBJ"
Who committed those atrocities
United States oficers2 No. The Loyal
calliwags2 Yes; the same loyal"
calliwags who are now calling out the
1enroost Rangers, as if the people of
his bully-ridden State have not bad I
nough rowdyism and robbery. The
Jewsboy of Grand Junction seems des.
med to play the part of Devilketchim,
nd make as much out of "exciting
ines as possible. Will he never stop
i'll he bsnkrupts the State? Already ?
be cannot pay her Indebtedness; she is
o impoverished that all public schools :
re stopped, and all improvements must
DON cease. What value will the Hem
cost Rangers be, and who'll pay them n
When called out before they only quietsd
oultry; fifty of them would run like !
agamufins from ten brave men. Tax
ayers will not contribute cent 10 such
aw- breakers; and the Henroost Rangers
ad better make their pay sure before
hey muster under the banner of Old
,rimstoae. They should bear in mind
be tricks plsyed by Devilketchim on the Q
,nrolled Ducks, and not trust too far the
opes held out by the Newsboy of Grand =
unction: for, be it remembered, q COM
,ittee of the present Radical Congress
epudiated the pay Of the Enrolled
)ucks, notwithstanding the Chicago
latform denounces Reputation as a
ational crime" and perhaps commit
se Of the present Radical Legislature 7
hay repadiate the pay of the Henroost ;
hangers, although that whimsical body !.
eretofore acknowledged their services.
is not Radical virtue, and n
be corps Of Old Birthstone, like the fol- j,
owers of Falstat, must look sharp for
heir dues. ,
Militia No. 2. however, if again called
ut, will be curious body. Each menu !.
er, before he's trusted, must swear that !.
e never voluntarily bore arms against
he government Of the United States for
be purpose or with the intention of aid
~ the late rebellion" nor had be with
uch intention at any time given aid,
omfort, counsel or encouragement to 8
aid rebellion, or to any act Of hostility
, the government Of the United States
cry few conscientious men. residents \
ere before the war, can swallow that.
Iut the recruit be be Bardolph. Nym or I
.ucieut Pistol, must further swear that !
e Hever sought or accepted any Office, :,
iiher civil or military, or attempted 10 a
xercise the functions Of any office, either q
ivil or military. under the authority or 4
retended authority Of the so called Con
'dera,e States Of America, or Of any
State hostile or opposed