Lamoille Newsdealer

Avoiding the Draft.

The means taken by a class of people among us to avoid the draft, partakes somewhat of the ludicrous. The first manifestation of this disposition, appeared in the State of Maine about six weeks ago, and took the form of flight to Canada. Since that time there has been a steady stream of travel in that direction. Hundreds of able-bodied sons of New England are now rejoicing in the protection which John Bull gives them against the demands of the government for the establishment of which their ancestors bled, and of which they have been accustomed to speak with pride. One silly sneak, fearing the U. S. Marshals, who have orders to arrest all of the sneaks they can find, attempted to pass the lines in the guise of a woman, but was overhauled at Rouses Point, where he has since been confined, and compelled to go daily for his rations in the costume in which he was arrested, as he took no other clothing with him, and none has been furnished. Every time he appears he is greeted by the jeers and hootings of the public. Those who have succeeded in reaching Canada are not much better off, for all sensible people look upon them with the contempt they deserve for their infidelity to their country in this trying hour. In some instances it is said that they are really abused and hooted at in the streets, and taunted with cowardice and want of patriotism. In some places they are absolutely denied food and shelter, and told to go back home. It has been even proposed that Canada get up a kind of fugitive slave law, or an agreement with the U. S., by which all these runaways should be arrested and delivered up to the government from which they had fled. Taking all things into account, these voluntary exiles are having a very unpleasant time of it, and doubtless many of them wish themselves back again, especially since the prospect that there will be no draft, becomes more and more evident, and doubtless many of them will, ere long, be seen on their way back, and they will wish to be welcomed as cordially as though they had only been absent on business; but all good citizens will turn the cold shoulder on them for ever hereafter, and they might as well conclude beforehand, that they can be spared from any decent community.

Another way of avoiding the draft, is by getting physicians to certify to disability. This, in some cases, is well enough, but it is wholly unnecessary, and when the listers do their duty, it is useless. A person may have the certificates of all the doctors in Christendom, and make an affidavit as long as the moral law, but if the listers do not find in them or without them, evidence to their satisfaction, they are in duty bound to send in his name as an able-bodied man. Then if he should be drafted, the Brigade Surgeon will determine whether or not he is able-bodied. We can see but little difference in the spirit manifested by those who run away to Canada and those who seek, through the assistance of an affidavit and a surgeon's certificate, to avoid the obligations of all citizens of any country. We wish we could find words adequate to express our contempt of beings (we cannot call them men) who exhibit such an utter want of manliness. By such conduct they not only forfeit all right to any sort of protection from the government, but they deserve to be banished from the civilized community, and forced to take up with the tender mercies of outside barbarians, till they can so far appreciate the value of good Constitutions, as to be willing to pledge their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor in its support.