Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-07-21
The Object of suspending the Draft In New
York.

We consider It probable that the object Of suspendng
the draft in New York was to afford tune to collect
sufficient military force there to enforce IL II this
,nrmi.e shall lrove correct we will hail the event With
satisfaction. Il will test the character OF the resht nee,
and if it be of the true temper, will bu add fuel to
the flames Forced submission TO an edct which
as Withdrawn on the demand of the people, would be
he most CALLING of all conditions OF suoJugstion In
don to The original cause Of revolt there would
i, the aggrsyaIirg incentives of violated faith and
base bypocrisy The admoniiiOn which su,h treachery
would convey would not be lost upon other sections
where an attempt may be made to enforce the con-
.eriot law. The people viii not be lured into like
snare. They will act promptly and accomplish the
work Of defeat unaWed by threats and unbeguiled by
promises.
We have some anxiety to know what the course OF
Governor Seymour will be, should an attempt be made
20 enforce the draft in New York at the bayonets point.
tie has promis,d TO test the constiu'onaity Of the
copscript law and doubtless the people will await the
result If the Yankee Government refrain from its en-
forcsmeut. Meanwhile, troops will be needed to save
the remnant of their army now in the field, and the
question is how will they be raiseds militia call will
be little less obnoxious than draft for it will be re-
garded as guse for deception means 70 accomplish
indirectly what experience has proved to be imprac-
cable through direct means. Governor Seymour has
been elevated power by the very class who figured in
this revolt and he will hardly prove false to them. he
has no motive to do SO. On the contrary Re has the
motive of good faith to his supporters the promotion
Of the cause Of peace which formed the most Promi-
u, Mt plank in his party platform, and opposition to the
rotten Washington administration, TO which he is fully
pledged, TO urge him to pursue opposite policy He
has the game Of peace or war in bis hands, and he
vii play false to bis party, and ignore every pledge
which secured for him the popular favor Of New York.
if he do not throw his influence into the scale Ct the
Peace party.
The question Of peace hinges, in opin-
on, on the issue of this conflict in New York. The
embarrAssmelts which will result to the governmelt
f,m the delay in the enforcement the draft cOnse-
ousn upon the constitutional test which it is the avowed
purvose of Governor Seymour to make, will be in
considerable step towards peace. If no relief afforded
by militia call may well assure ourselves of an
easier time for the future.
Our overnmeat should lie cautious no. to urge an
other descent upon the enemys country for that would
furnish the best prete1t that Lincoln could desire TO
make call for the militia, and thus replensh his de-
Melted army Toe internal dis ord which we had long
looked for as the first fOerunner of pssc, has fairly
set in and We should by its useful pro-
gres Is bids fair mature to respectable proportions
and we should look quietly on aud bless God for his
goodness.
The b st feature in the constitutional test to applied
to the draft in New York will be- that though may
suit favoraby to the Government the people will not
sabmit 10 it WHILE if 1t results iavOrably them, all
will be we'll The difference between these results will
be- that in the litter instance the necessity for resist
anee will no, arise in the former, ress ance would be
certain and inevitable. YankeedOm is evidently in
sad plight; and may the IgOnes accumulate tenfo with
every passing hour.
Mean hle We should be careful to relax no effort in
rsidrg new !esies and in military organization
If the enemy hopeessy weakened by this impedment
in the work of his military preparations let be pre-
pued to crush him. II the impedment is removed, Of
which We have much apprehension, our means to meet
his augmented force should be ample and adequate.