It must take into consideration different branches
of industry, and the fields of one section must not be depleted of
husbandmen that those of another may be filled with warriors.
The act of March 3d meets these difficulties more successfully, perhaps,
than any previous act, whether of a State or National Legislature. It is
based upon the broad and well-admitted maxim, that every citizen owes
his personal service to the Government which protects him. But while the
Government impartially demands this service, the law provides for the
exemption of those who would suffer by the unqualified enforcement of
this demand.
Many persons outside of the specified limits of age, are physically able
to do military service. But, _as a class_, it would have been cruel and
impolitic to have forced men into a service which would have wrecked
health and happiness for life, or, by a short and swift passage through
the military hospitals, have shuffled them into premature graves. Few
men under twenty-five have the power of endurance necessary for a long
and wearisome campaign. The muscles are not sufficiently knit and
hardened for the service, nor the constitution sufficiently fortified to
withstand the exposure. Men over forty-five have lost the vigor and
elasticity necessary to long and arduous exertion, and are constantly
liable to become a burden instead of a benefit to the service.
No previous act has so equally disposed the military duty among the
various classes affected by it.
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