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now be brought to a speedy and successful conclusion, if the country will sustain the 'Government in its vigorous prosecution. The draft must be enforced, in order to fill up the thinned ranks of the regiments, and Congress must provide a proper military organization and system of recruiting. The President and Senate must forget that they were elected by a party, and appoint and promote only for military talent and military service; -and the people must sustain the hands of their •generals and armies in the field. If this be done, success will soon crown our efforts; if it be not done, the war will continue till the whole country Is rained and devaalated.•The character and objects of the leaders of those who oppose the draft tire too well known to require comment. They are trai--tors at heArtand sympathizers with the rebels. They planned the anti-draft riots as a means of cooperation with the army of Las in Pennsylvania, and of forcing our Government into a disgraceful peace. And the Press which sustains these anLl-draft sad anti-war leaders is no better. They may pretend to be loyal■ and to favor the war, bat the jackass ears are visible tinder the lion’s skin- They secretly rejoice at oar defeats and mourn over and attempt to depreciate oar successes.But there are undoubtedly some really honest anti-draft men, who oppose this measure from honest and mistaken motives. The law undoubtedly has Its defect*, and some of its .provisions are objection able. But cannot the same be said of nearly every law passed by Congress or State Legislatures? What law can be found on the statute books which is perfect and entirely unobjectionable? But is this any reason for opposing their enforcement or for asking the National and State Executive to suspend their execution? Again it is said that the draft law Is of doubtful constitutionality and should be suspended till decided by the competent tribunals. We must, therefore, wait till the Supreme Court of the Boiled States declares it constitutional I If in thi9 Instance, why not in regard to all other laws ? This is a new doctrine, worthy *of Northern traitors and leaders of mobs and riota.The whole matter narrows itself down to this point: A large number of our troops are •being discharged for expiration of the term of their service ; our armies cannot profit by their recent successes unless the places of these troops are Immediately supplied ; volunteering will not do this, os experience for 'the last six months has incontestibly proven; Congress has provided another means—that by draft; the Executive must raise troops by this means, or do without any and give up the contest; there is no alternative presen led. Those, therefore, who oppose the draft, oppose the continuation of the war as effectively as if they took up arras and fought in the rebel ranks.But cannot the draft be delayed for a few weeks or months Ull some other measures can be devised S To delay the draft is equivalent to abandoning it entirely. It is not simply a •question involving the power and authority of the National Government; It is a question Involving the success of the war, and, therefore, the very existence of that Government. The army must be recruited now. A few months hence It will be too late. The rebel Government has resorted to a levy in mass, conscripting every man capable of bearing arms, no matter what his position or employment may be. It is their last and final attempt. After this they will have no reserves to fall back upon. Unless our armies arc ulso recruited now, they must be beaten back and defeated; new raids into the Northern States will be executed ; the National Government wil2 be weakened, and the confidence of the people lost.
Newspaper Details
New York Times
New York, New York, US
Fri, Aug 07, 1863
Page 5
Full Page
Clipped by
New Y.
NY, USA 28 Nov 2020
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