THE CONSCRIPTION.

(From the METROPOLITAN RECORD, June 13, 1868.)

Is any man so foolish as to imagine that the unconstitutional act for the conscription of our fellow-citizens can really be carried into operation? Do they suppose that the people will submit to such an exaction on the very life-blood of the country? If there are such men they must be blind to the events that are daily transpiring. No, there will be no conscription, and any effort to carry such a measure into execution will prove a total failure. The Administration has lost its power, and its motion, like the diminished speed of a railroad train after it has been detached from the locomotive, is but the impetns given it by the power which it once possessed, but which is gone forever.

The people are now thoroughly wide awake; they see that they have been deceived; they know that the Administration has falsified its pledges-has attempted to steal away their liberties, and that it is fast becoming utterly powerless to wreak its wicked will by overthrowing the sovereignty of the States.

But it is barely possible that an attempt to carry out the Conscription Act may yet be made, and it is well to consider such a thing among the probabilities of the future.

In this State we believe it will be opposed by the people, and its constitutionality tested before our courts. Now, it so happens that the opinion, the indignant protest of one of the noblest Americans that ever lived, has been placed on record against the tyranny of such an imposition. We feel proud in announcing the fact that this man was a Catholic-yes, a Catholic in the truest sense of the term. His name is WILLIAM GASTON, and it should be written in letters of living light wherever freedom has its worshipers. He was one of the ablest of American jurists, and his name is a synonym for judicial integrity, manly courage, heroic devotion to the truth and the right wherever that name is known. His father was murdered during the Revolution by a band of Tories, who were then engaged

in an attempt somewhat similar to that of the Abolition traitors at Washington to steal away the liberties of the people. Well might Judge Gaston say, when referring to this event

"I was baptized an American in the blood of a murdered father."

:

Judge Gaston was born in Newbern, North Carolina, and was elevated to the bench of the Supreme Court of that State, maintaining the highest reputation ever enjoyed by a member of the American bench. He died on the 23d of January, 1843, and the manner of his death is so remarkable that we can not forego the opportunity of referring to it here. Relating some anecdotes of his experience in Washington, he spoke of a freethinker whom he once met there. "From that day," said he, "I always looked on that man with distrust. I do not say that a freethinker may not be an honorable man, or that he may not, from high motives, scorn to do a mean act; but I dare not trust him. A belief in an all-ruling Divinity, who shapes our ends, whose eye is upon us, and who will reward us according to our deeds, is necessary. We must believe and feel that there is a God, all-wise and almighty."

These were the last words he ever uttered, for, rising to give greater emphasis to the expression, he fell back and expired.

This great man has, as we have stated, left his opinion in regard to conscription on record. The speech which he delivered in the House of Representatives in February, 1814, when referring to the great efforts made by the Administration of that day to fill up the army by conscrip tion, one would imagine was a prophetic description of the present time:

"THE MOST ENORMOUS PRICE IS BID FOR SOLDIERS THAT WAS EVER OFFERED IN ANY AGE OR COUNTRY. SHOULD THIS FAIL, WHAT IS THE NEXT SCHEME? THERE IS NO RESERVE OR CONCEALMENT. IT HAS BEEN AVOWED THAT THE NEXT SCHEME IS A CONSCRIPTION. IT IS KNOWN THAT THIS SCHEME WAS RECOMMENDED EVEN AT THIS SESSION BY THE WAR DEPARTMENT, AND THAT IT WAS ́POSTPONED ONLY TO TRY FIRST THE EFFECT OF ENORMOUS BOUNTY. THE FREEMEN OF THIS COUNTRY ARE TO BE DRAFTED FROM THE RANKS OF THE MILITIA, AND FORCED ABROAD AS MILITARY MACHINES, TO WAGE A WAR OF

CONQUEST! SIR, I HAVE BEEN ACCUSTOMED TO CONSIDER THE LITTLE SHARE WHICH I HAVE IN THE CONSTITUTION OF THESE UNITED STATES AS THE MOST VALUABLE PATRIMONY I HAVE TO LEAVE TO THOSE BEINGS IN WHOM I HOPE MY NAME AND REMEMBRANCE TO BE PERPETUATED, BUT I DO SOLEMNLY DECLARE, THAT IF SUCH A DOCTRINE BE ENGRAFTED INTO THIS CONSTITUTION, I SHALL REGARD IT AS WITHOUT VALUE, AND CARE NOT FOR ITS PRESERVATION."

The language of this great and good judge is peculiarly applicable now, and contains a lesson which can not be ignored without entailing the most fearful consequences.

This is a war of invasion as that against which Judge Gaston protested, for the conscription of that day was with the view of invading Canada. It is even worse; for it is a war against the Constitution and against the writings of the fathers of the Revolution, in which there is no authority for the coercion of a sovereign State. If compromise had not been discarded, and the law of brute force had not been appealed to in the attempt to bring back the South, the restoration of the old Union would not be among the impossibilities of the future.

THE ADMINISTRATION TELEGRAPH; OR, HOW IT

IS DONE.

A PLAY IN THREE ACTS.

'WRITTEN EXPRESSLY FOR THE METROPOLITAN KECORD," AND NOT TO BE PERFORMED IN ANY THEATER, TO AVOID THE ARREST OF THE ACTORS.)

(From the METROPOLITAN RECORD, June 20, 1863.)

DRAMATIS PERSONA.

ABE LITION LINKEM.

W. H. HIRELAW.

SOLOMON GREENBACK.

SECRETARY BLUSTER.

SECRETARY SPRINGS.

CONFIDENTIAL CLERK OF SECRETARY HIRELAW.
GENERAL MALLET.

THE INTELLIGENT CONTRABAND.

THE RELIABLE SOUTHERN GENTLEMAN.
PORTER.

ACT I.

SCENE 1.

Secret office in the War Department SEC. HIRELAW presiding over a meeting of the War Telegraph Bureau.

SEC. HIRELAW-Well, gentlemen, did I not tell you that my plan would be the most successful? An experience of forty years in public life has satisfied me that the people are easily gulled. Did you not see how I cajoled them when at the Astor House in the great metropolis I said, and pledged my word thereto, that three short months would see the termination of this war. Tis true the pledge was not redeemed; but, sirs, the popular heart 's a generous one, and its trust once given is not soon withdrawn. If proof of this were needed, see how my political promissory note has been renewed, until now the time is extended to nine times three months! Am I not right, then, in my conclusions? Yes, sirs. What follows as the inevitable inference? Lie on, and they will still believe, for a lie well told must make its way. But what news

to-day from Vicksburg? Has that Sebastapol not fallen yet, or is Pemberton determined to hold out? What is Grant doing, and what is he about? The agent of the Memphis telegraph should have captured it before this. Send him word at once to say the fate of Vicksburg is sealed, that our starry flag now floats upon its ramparts. ALL-Good.

SEC. H.-If 'tis not taken, it ought, and that's the same. If not yet in Grant's possession, it should be; so we'll take it for grant-ed.

ABE LINKEM-Stay! hold, Mr. Secretary; not so fast, I pray you. Your joke on Grant reminds me of a capital anecdote of an old chum of mine who floated rafts down the crooked Mississippi-darn the thing! I wish it was straightened out-anyhow, it's full of snags. Well, this friend of mine said he'd bet drinks that his family was as old as creation-(his name was Grant, too)—so I bet him; but, by thunder! he beat me, for he showed me in the Bible where it said, "there were Grants in those days." And there, sure enough, it was, for the printer who set it up spelt it grants instead of giants, so, by thunder! he got me. [All indulge in laughter. GEN. MALLET-Ha! ha! really that's very good, Mr. President. Giants and Grants! Capital! Ha! ha!

ABE L. [aside to Gen. Mallet Capital joke! "My wife says so, too." By the way, General, who did you say you wanted appointed to that brigadier-generalship? [The General whispers.

He shall have it, and my word's better than a three-months note of Secretary Hirelaw.

SEC. H. I asked what news from Vicksburg. this hesitation ?

Why

INTELLIGENT CONTRABAND-It's not yet taken, and "dat's what's de matter." Massa, General Pemberton says he won't allow it noways nohow. He's got plenty grub, and says he'll fight Gen. Grant, or any other man, as long as he has a horse or a dog left.

66

GEN. M.-Who said that this was an intelligent contra band? He is not the man we want. Away with him. So. Is he gone?

VOICES-He's gone.