Year: 1863

We publish full synopsis of what is
Justly regarded as the most important
document that has been published by
the United States during the war-The
Federal Conscription Bill.


1t will be perceived that this act is a
very different instrument from the con-
scription law now in force here 1t is
not framed upon our plan, but is strict
copy of the French, Sandman and other
European conscriptions. The draft on
the population is much less general than
by our law, and will produce fewer re-
cruits to the army in proportion to the
numbers Of the inhabitants The princi-
pie of the Southern law is that every man
shall be placed in the position where he
can most effectively serve the country
and aid the war. Hence it exempts only
those engaged in certain industrial pur-
suits, the continuation of which is indis-
pensable to the subsistence of the army,
the support of the Government in its le-
gitimate functions, and these fuHdamen-
tai operations of social existence on
which both depend These classes are
limited. But the Northern law of ex-
emption is founded on various social dis
tinctions, including great numbers, even
if strictly interpreted, and which admit
of almost unlimited stretching.


The true meaning of this law is to be
found IN those CIadses which relate to
the return or men and officers now alb
sent from that vast army, existing on
the pay-rolls of more than one million of
men. The law does not seem intended
to increase the numerical force of the
United Satisfactorily larger than that
country or any other can long maintain
nor will it do So


Its object seems to be, frst-to pre-
vent the men, whose term of enlistment
has expired, from leaving their ranks in
May. Second-to enable Lincoln to
make such future drafts on the people as
the waste of war may render necessary,
and to carry on the war without the as
sistance of the new Congress now about
to enter on its term, and in defiance Of
the majority of the people who desire a
cessation of hostilities These objects
the law will certainly accomplish.


1t is calculated to provoke great re-
sistance from the people and the States.
We cannot now estimate the power, ex-
tent or results of the discomfort and op-
position. But we fear those who suppose
that this opposition will render the law
imperative, and end in revolution,
mistake the present condition of the
North. 1t has been justly remarked that
they assume the people Of the country to
be now what they formerly were, and
gauge their spirit and determination by
the sentiment which still prevails among
ourselves. They do not realize the fact
that the Government of the United
States has CONCEALED into a despotism,
and that its inhabitants have actually
sunk down into the characteristics of
abject, trembling, and underlying slaves.
1t is the part of reason to anticipate the
triumph of Lincoln and the entire exc
cution of the law. Nor need we stand
appalled, at its probable consequences.
The Southern Government need only en-
force in all the States the conscription
law now existing to procure such addi
ton to its present army that it will not
only be as great as the country car
maintain, or as any Generals are capa
Bile of maneuvering, but abundantly suf
fcient to meet at all points every force
that the Northern CONSUMPTION will senC
to the field.