The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1863-03-05

AaO ~" NAOuC VI ktlisiHS ITOOPb
Hitherto. not only in this war, but from
our earliest history, hen the Federal Gov
eminent wanted soldiers, 1t has apE called
to the States aud demar ded OF each it's
proper quota-leaving each to choose its
own mode of raising the required number
The system has worked well. We have
experienced the benefit of it to the pres
ent war. Not to go beyond the example
of our own State-what could have been
accomplished here without the vigorous
efforts lof Governor Morgan and his CO.
workers in the State Government? Could
the same number of men have been sent 10
the field Through the agency OF Federal
officials and without action of the Sta Q
Government The interest and the prize
Of the State have stimulated our people 10
vie with those of other States in sending
men and material to the field.
All this is now to be changed. Sena
tor Wilson 5 new Concripticn bill entirely
ignores the State Governments and repu-
dates their services 1t rrovid Federal
officials to enroll the militia, to attend the
whole process Of drafting, and to hurry
them of TO the field. The State is to have
no voice in the matter New York As State
isno longer to send forth her sons, proud Of
representing her greatness, power and pat
rotism, but the Federal officers are TO
come among us and take them as Con-
scripts, and hurry them oil, not to our
regiments, but to be merged and lose their
State pride in such regiments as may hap
Pen 10 receive them.
We do not ask whether this mode of
drafting troops from the States Is viola
la!irn Of the latter and spirit OF the Con-
stilution opposed to the practice Of the
government, at war with it's whole theory
and destructive Of the dignity and rights
of the States-but We do ask whether. in
point of expediency, it is wise, and calcu-
lated to strengthen the hands of the gov
eminent and restore the bonds of the I'm
ion! Is our political system TO be upheld
and rendered strong. by regulating the
agency and SUPPORT Of the State gov
ernments, and OF the States us distinct po-
litioal communities? Can the Federal off
Gals more wisely and successfully carry
through a CONSUMPTION than the Cover
nors OF the several States?
VIII public sentiment in the States be
likely 10 be conciliated by this new process
or will dissatisfaction, jealousy, irrita-
ton and public disorder be generated?
Ii seems TO us that Senator Wilson 8
bill is one of the most suicidal measures
which the Administration has yet propo-
sed and that it's direct tendency will be to
make a CONSUMPTION too odious to be enfor-
ced. In such measure-necessariy
harsh and dis,as.eful 10 the people-the &C
tive and cordial CO operation of the State
Governments is particularly necessary.
But this bill repudis.es them and the
danger is that action under il will come to
be regarded as officious intermeddlng with
the people Of the State, when cheerful ODE
dience would have been rendered TO the &C
ton of the State authorities.
We appeal to Congress to arrest the
passage Of Senator Wilson's bill and con-
tnue to leave to each State the duty OF
furnishing its military quota. either volun-
tarily or by concripton, as may be neces-
sary. The attempt of the Federal Gov
eminent to assume this function will. we
are persuaded, prove disassrous.-N. Y
Argns.