Year: 1863

persons fit for duty, but it will not be called
upon to serve until the first class shall have
been called. All the States and Territories
OF the United States are divided into militia
~ districts, each Congressional district to
be military district, and each Territory
one or more. Over each district is appoint
ed provost marshal general at Washington,
who will communicate the orders of the
President to them in reference to the enrol
ment and drafting Thee provost marshals
are to arrest all deserters to inquire into
and report to the provost marshal general
all reasonable practices to detect, seize,
and continc spies Of the enemey to obey
all lawful orders ard regulations of the pro-
vost marshal general, and such as may be
prescribed By law. concerning the enrol
ment, and calling into service of the nation
Al forces. Each military district is to have
Board OF Enrolment, and it may be divd-
ell into Sub-districts, for which an enrolling
officer will be appointed, who shall take the
names, ages, and occupations of persons
subject to military duty, and report the
same to the Board of Enrolment. All per-
sons thus enrolled shall be subject, for two
years after the first day of July succeeding
the enrolment, to be called into the military
! service Of the United States, and to continue
IN service for three years, or during the
war and when called into service shall be
placed on the same footing, in all respects,
as volunteers for three years, or during the
war, including advance pay and bounty as
now provided by law. The militia are to
be called into service by draft, and when
drafted, are to be notified to appear at
designated, place to perform duty, or fur
nish an acceptable substitute, or pay a sum
not exceeding $500.


These are the main features of the bill,
| which has yet to receive the sanction of the
House of Representative. Some doubts are
expressed of. it's passage through that body,
but the necessities of the nation will com
mend it to favor, for if the Government is
to be preserved, the peoples representatives
must furnish the administration with the
| means to do so. In effect the bill is not
much different from the militia laws of the
States now in existence, only it places the
whole subject of drafting the militia within
the power of the President, instead OF leav-
ing it with the Governors of the States To
that extent it strengthens the hands of the
OiIO4'Nl SN'CthhiCHCj anu prevents any
faction in any State from interfering with a
call by the President upon the militia for
service. Congress is empowered by the
Constitution to provide for calling forth the
militia and for organizing, arming, disciplin-
ing and governing them, end it is the exer-
else of this duty that the present conscrip-
ton bill has been proposed. The policy of
the measure cannot be questioned if the
rebellion is to be suppressed, which every
man who values good government will
concede. But not only is it a proper
measure for the suppression of rebellion, it
IS also timely precaution against foreign
complication which may threaten the peace
and liberties of the nation while prosecuting
its right of self-preseryation. We know
not what will be our relations with the DOW
ers of Europe before another year closes


II We mean to preserve the integrity of tho


Union and our national independence, We


must be prepared to defend both against


amy possible contingency. 1t is but proper
that they should be forewarned of this pur.


pose, and the passage of the conscriptior
will even show them what the determination


Of the nation is-Ledger.