The Daily Dispatch: April 7, 1864., [Electronic resource]

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The Justices of the Peack — who of them shall be Exempt from military duty.

Governor Smith has determined upon his course with reference to the exemption of Justices of the Peace. The following is an extract from a paper with his signature on the subject. It is clear and positive. The age of the Justice settles the question of his status whether at home or in the field.--Every Justice, whether under or over forty-five must appreciate the irony of the Governor touching the probable abundant supply of men over forty-five competent to perform the "meagre duties" left the magistracy by the war! Even the Justice who falls likes the instrument to be sharp, whether it be a "wise saw" or a "modern instance." If Justices be, as they were in the revolution of '76, of a chivalrous and patriotic spirit, those fit for service will hardly stop to cavil about the principle involved in the decision of the Governor; but proceed at once to defend their country from that foe who will, if successful, destroy all law, all right, all justice, and thus render entirely useless all magistrates and all others whose vocation is the execution of the law and the administration of justice. The Governor says:

‘ "In reference to Justices of the Peace, I shall "decline certifying in their favor for exemption "where they are under forty-five years of age, entire "ly satisfied that persons above forty-five can be "easily found who are fully competent to the "performance of the meagre duties which are left "them by the existing war."

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