Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1863-12-04

Our arms are victorious-the rebellion
contracts its limbs, and transporting events
are big with the promise Of an early and com.
plete victory over the enemies of the Repub.
lie. Every battle fought reduces the numer-
ical strength Of our troops. Every passing
day draws them nearer to the close Of their
service. The crises calls for reinforcements.
Our friends now toiling and fighting appeal
to Us to lose no time. In the States of Indi.
ana, Ohio, New York, Connecticut, Aassachu-
sets and Rhode Island the war fever is -
high - at any former period in the history
Of the war. The number Of men daily ap-
pearing at Springfield, ILL.,, for muster, are
from 100 to 400. While her sister States are
promptly and enthusiastically responding 10
the Presidents call, Iowa is doing compare
lively nothing. But month will elapse be.
fore the State that has always met requisi-
tons upon her sons with unparalleled prompt
ness, will be COMPELLED to furnish her quota.
The fat has gone forth that our men must
be furnished, on or before the 9Th Of January.
For the honor Of our State-for the good Of
our cause-for the speedy triumph Of our
arms, we hope that no draft will be made
How can it be avoidedP By a spirit Of lib
erality on the part of those who cannot 60
towards ttoss who can and will 60. The glo-
rious little nutmeg State has recently pro-
vided bounty Of $500, to be paid to the
recruit rs soon as he is mustered into
the United States service. Any man enlistipg
in that State before the 9Th day Of January
receives $500 bounty-an additional annual
bounty of $50. $6 per month to his wife, g.
to each child not exceeding two in number,
and over fourteen years Of age. Massachu-
sets gives bounty Of $300-New York the
same. Even in our own State the people are
not all Indifferent as to this call. Linn
county gives s25 Bounty, and Cedar
Rapids township gives an additional sum,
raised by individual subscription. Henry
county is all ablaze with war meetings, and
gives 500 bounty. Benton gives $25. And
yet the banner war county is doing nothing.
For ourselves, we care not whether draft is
ordered; for the credit Of our county We do
care, and for our country and its cause still
more. We do not urge men to enlist for
the pecuniary inducements offered. To their
love Of country-their hope of political and
religious freedom-the perpetuity of Ameri-
lean institutions, and their love and venera-
ton of the sainted heroes of the past, we ap-
peal. Our citizens, many of them, feel very
secure about tn S matter of the draft, but when
they awake and find the alternative presented
to their optics Of going to war, hiring sub
stitute at the market price, or paying TO the
United States $500, affairs will assume new
shape. Then our financial sharps will learn
that it is cheaper for them to he taxed for
paying one hundred or two hundred dollars
bounty than to pay three hundred dollars
We propose, then, that meetings be immedi-
ately called over the county, speakers in.
vited, and the advantages of volunteer over
drafted man be discussed. Let local sub
scriptions be raised, or else petition for an
extra session Of the Board of Supervisors and
an appropriation by them for liberal bounties.
For the honor and fair fame of our banner
war county, we urge our people to avoid a
draft, by encouraging and aiding enlistments.