Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-06-19

H. or BE- guilty of IT, To lasting infamy high
toned and virtuous public sentiment would class
the act Of making false enrolment or an unfair
drawing, along With the crimes OF forgery and
perjury. and would see u it thst infamous pun
ishment should rest upon the guilty. party In
this connection | call v0ur attention To the as
surance Given by Col. Baker. mot only that the
draft vii be fairly made. but that Il sill be con
Quoted with such entire impartiaiity preclude
all suspicious of dishone~1v."
He has also given assurance that the drawing
shall be under his personal supervision. Far az
il may be possible.
Col. Baker is known in this State: he j. an old
and respectable citizen. ana believe him 10 be a
man Of integrity and honor, and incapable Of do.
ing an act Of injustice between citizens in any
case, and especially in a matter Of this delicate
nature. resting upon conscience and honor II
NAV be impossible for him 70 attend at all places
OF drawing. 10 see that papers bearing the names
Of the enrolled men are properly mixed in the
boxes and fairly drawn. but feel ean6dent that
if in bis absence, any miscreant shall do a wrong
and Il can be shown, Col Baker will see il
righted.
Attention is also called to the assurance that
Notice will be given Of the time and place OF
making the draft. and the people OF each town
ship will have an opportunity Of being present.
either personally. or by men of their seec
ton. to inspect the proceedings"
Should there be any plrtiality in making the
enrolment, and names be omitted. either for ia
vor or reward. that NAV also be corrected before
the drawing, if proper attention be given.
From the information given by Col. Baker and
Others il is believed the demand upon this State
can not be nearly so large as is apprehended, as
il is claimed for the State that she has large
credit. amounting perhaps TO nineteen thousand.
for troops already furnished over the proportion
furnished by other States.
Relying. then. upon the assurance given. that
the law will be fairly executed, and in such pub
lie manner that all persons may know that it is so
executed. beg your permission 10 ask. Is IL 20
lItic or right To resist il by force? This j. "A
grave question. and one OF serious import 20 eve
~ one Of ia. Upon the question OF policy. ask,
can resistance be snccessfull IL j. impossible
that there should be unanimity of sentiment
in favor of il in any considerable por
ton OF the State. Efforts Mt resistance must
of necessity be IN separate localities. without ETH
cent concert among those who may favor it.
sulting IN guerril, strife. against which the or
gained military force OF the Government would
be brought, striking and destroying separate
bands, and leaving the localities of the struggle
reeking with blood. and smoking in ruins. The
men OF Indiana appreciate courage, and will ven
ture much % maintain the right. but rashness is
not their characteristic. and they will not face
destruction for an imposslbllity. Whilst We can
not cherish the hopes of former DAYS based upon
n united and harmonious people. and a well al
ministered Federal Government. il becomes US to
cling with fonder devotion To Indiana and her
institutions. and by all the energies OF devoted
patriotism. save her from the dire calamties OF
civil war Do not find sufficient inducement
in this reflection to avoid a course dangerous il
not fttall
But il resistance bv force rightG To this most
important question j know YOU will give n con
siderate and honest response. Concurring in the
judgment OF majority of the people of the State
| believe the law impolitic, and MANY of its pro
visions wrong | was opposed TO its enactment
and desire It's modification repeal But it was
enacted according to the forms of the Constitu
ton; by the body constituted under that instru
ment and comes 10 us demanding our obedience
Respect for legitimate authority. and obedience
10 law has long been cherished sentiment OF
the political party to which il is my pride TO be.
long Does that sentiment not commend itself
To the judgment and conscience of every good
citizen and OF every vlrtuous man, who desires
the restraints and safety Of law. rather than the
freedom of unrestraned licensel The dangerous
doctrine, that the conscience Of the citizen may
sit in Judgment upon laws enacted in proper
form, with view tn their resistance. has never
been adopted by anv considerable portion OF the
people of this State. and has at all times been
bitterly opposed by the Democracy. IL is a doc
trine subversive of weilordered government, and
has contributed largely to the calamites that
have beiailen our country.
The consttutionalitv of the CONSUMPTION act
can soon he tested in the proper judicial tribunals
and il declared unconstitutional it is no law. and
binds no man; but until so declared, every con
sideration OF policy and cherished principle for
bids its resistance. | know that il will tall heav
lly in It's execution, upon many OF my fellow cit
izens who are not prepared to be torn from their
occupations and families yet to them it will be a
less calamity than bloody strife in our midst.
| am not insensIble the fact that very many
persons do not approve the further prosecution OF
the war tor the reason that they do not believe
that il can restore the Union aud reunite the dis
severed sections; whilst they aud Others con
stitutng. as | suppose. majority. and perhaps "A
decided majority of the people OF the State. do
not and cannot approve the war policy of the Ad
mnistratiOn: and appreciate the embarrasS ment
they must experience IN even beng compelled to
serve in the army under such circumstances: vet
il i o. be remembered that the Administration
cannot be overthrown or It's policy modified by "a
refusal To Obev law, put To accomplish that re
suit so devOutly TO bee desired. We must look "a
free speech, free press and free ballot unless
indeed we esteem the departures from constitu-
tonal limits so great "a to justify revolution. and
be prepared to pass through that bloody or
deal For ts departures from right We may and
will hold the Administration responsible before
the Judgment of the world. and we hope 10 see il
succeeded by one that will stand by the COnsttu-
ton and the liberties oi the people
Whilst | entertain and express for the Provost
Marshal General OF this State IA confidence that
he will labor To secure a fair draft. vet esteem
il proper to call his attention TO the great i'm
portance OF making his appointments of every
grade OF men who enjoy the confidence and re
spect of the people. and who. when they 90 into
the neighboThoods. will carry with them a weight
OF character that will hriug the people IL their
support He will be pressed for appointments of
men who have no claims but service a party
hacks-bitter. extreme md dangerous men, who
hate and are ha'ed bitterly aud who will carry
strife and provoke opposition wherever they 90
Ii anv such have been appointed they should at
once be removed aud sedate and worthy men ap-
pon Ell in their stead.
Whilst ! recognize. to il fullest extent. our
own obligation tO obey law. | cannot omit saving
that the same obligation rests with eNu-l. it not
greater weight. upon every officer of the Federal
and State Government. and every instance OF It's
disregard in that quarter. seriously mpairs the
moral power of the Government 10 demanding its
Observance the part OF the people Outside
the Constitution and laws public officers possess
no powers. and their assumption and exercise can
only be aet- OF uSurpation. inviting. II not merit
ING. popular resistance Our Constitutions and
Laws. which place the robes ct Authority upon the
shoulders OF Presidents and Governors aud all
officers. at The same time suspend The people
shield for the protection OF their rights and