Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-07-16


The New York Riots.
The Republican papers generally charge that
the recent riots in New York City were insti.
gated by Democrats and that they were occasioned
by partisan opposition to the draft. There are
no facts that will justify these assertions, aud
they without foundation in truth The riots
occurred among the poorer classes in New York,
who were unwilling to be forced into the army by
conscrption In all countries where conscrip-
ton has been resorted TO to raise armies. the
measure has met with violent opposition from the
masses. NAPOLEON |. dragged men in chains
from their homes and compelled them to serve
as soldiers In France the conscript was en-
forced without regard to party or political opin-
ions. and the resistance came from those who
were opposed to being forced into the army re
gardless of the justice or injustice of the war in
which the nation was engaged. sympathy for
the dynasty in power In New York the diff
Guilty commenced with men of all shades of party
opinions. Who were unwilling to become soldiers
on account Of the families dependent upon their
was probably more decided with the women, who
looked for support to the industry of husbands or
sons, than with the men. From that cause the
most OF the opposition 10 the draft arises, and it
is general all over the country. The provisions
Of the conscript law are exceedingly Objectionable
to the poor labOring classes. They look
upon it as Discriminating in favor Of those who
are IN a better condition in life and who can pur-
chase exemption from military service. 1t was
predicted by some Of the best men in the country
that that feature in the act would excite violent
opposition and even resistance. The poor men,
it was said. would claim that they were under no
obligation to fight the battles of the country
and for the property and rights of the rich men
sian were the latter They would say that the
AsToRs. and the STEWARDS and the mllionares
o the commercial emporium should be no more
exempt unless physically disabled. from the
drudcery and hardships of the camp. than the
humblest citizen. Because a man carries the
h q or strikes upon the anvil or shoves the
plane :, impoSes more military burdens upon
him IA support of the Government than it does
sioaal man IL is such views that excited the
terrible riot which occurred in New York. and
they are not peculiar 10 the members of either
party. but are entertained by all alike And we
allude to them not to justify, or even
extenuate the acts Of those who have
m,de or may make forcibie resistance to any
Law. but to show that the riot in New York W Q
occasioned by the jeliousy and prejudices of the
tOor classes against the rich
We notice that in Brooklyn II .2Os names we're
enrolled and that O52 men were required under
the first draft of single men between the ages Of
twenty and forty FIVE wears, and of married men
between twenty and thirty FIVE years. 1t will be
seen that this draft takes from those classes two
out of every seven This Is about the same pro
portion To the male population of this city cana
Die of bearing arms that have enlisted voluntarily
in military companies during the MoReaS riid
excitement. IL is not surprising that so lrse q
draft upon the population, and We suppose the
ratio is the same in New York city as it is in
Brooklyn. caused no little excitement and feel
ing.
The Republican papers claim that the teach
inss OF prominent Democrats have caused tie Oh.
position 10 the conscrpt law This ia malicious
ly untrue. aud the charge is made 20 keep als g
and Intensity party preiudices The teachings of
the Democratic party have ever been obedience to
Law. Such has been its history from its or gin.
No prominent Democrat ever counseiled resist
ance to the couscript act or any other statute
no matter how obnoxious and unjust they
NAV have been Whence came the
doctrine that there law higher than the
Cons,itu,ioni Did it not spring from the men
who are nov CO operating with the party in pow
er. and dive IL Whither they wills Who. At this
DAY. have disTegarded constitutional obligations
involving the most sacred rights Of the citizen
upon the plea OF military necessity! Who. in
this State, sets ~ nsught Constitution and Law 5
and is attempting TO carry on revolutionary
Government Are not the men Sho have tiushi
these heresie- and set these pernisious example,.
responsible for the NIB spirit which irevaiIs
Throughout, the l,adl Whea rulers trsmole law
under foot. what can they expect otherwise than
their example Nil be followed? What influence
can the prscepts OF cOunseis OF such men have IN
favor ii obedience 20 lawf
MobocrAcy must be put down. Republic
can not long exist when the people resort to mob
violence for the redress Of real or supposed grev
anees. And the best way to overcome or sup
press IN. tendency 70 mob violence is In a strict
regard OF all constitutional obligations and ODE
dience 20 the AVS OF the Land The course OF
the Republican journals. in charging the respon-
sibiliIs OF tue riots OF New York upon one
party, not only exhibits Partisan m,Ievo-
lcnce. but Il seems TO invite the very
e'sieulties which they profess to depreca,e And
there i doubtless an object 10 view which does
1T appear upon the surface. We believe tha,
iea3ia. Republicans desire that martial law shall
ess.! ~asrs be proclaimed a. the means of per-