The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1863-07-21
The Usnscripsisn.

The following excellent article upon the
CONSUMPTION we copy from the Chicago
Post. 1t is fair, manly, and bold utter
anee Of palpable truths, and is especially
remarkable as coming from . Democratic
paper, in these days, when it stands almost
alone in its party ranks supporting . sin.
gle measure adopted for the defense Of
the Union We commend it to our read
ers rs clear, concise statement, both Of
the results Of the CONSUMPTION and the du.
ties OF oil loyal men
ADVANTAGES OF THE CONSUMPTION TO
The NATION.
We do not propose now TO dwell upon
the obvious advantages of the conscrip-
tiou act and its enforcement. IL is i'm
portant that our thinned regiments should
be filled up as speedily as possible, and it
seems to be agreed that the system of
volunteering, whether from patriotic i'm
pulse or from the inducemsnt of liberal
bounties, has been carried already as far
as it can be successful in any considerable
degree. The only way to accomplish the
fCho Va mnhiub Jul otiHsCo iuii aho VII
cient, is to enforce the law which Congress
has provided to bring the duty of defend
ing our country, home, inpartially, to the
people.
But this, the direct and avowed object
of the CONSUMPTION. is not by any means
the only or even the chief advantage to be
gained by il. The great benefit to the
nation of the successful enforcement Of
this measure will be the establishment of
the fact that this Government is strong
enough to defend itself.
| 1t has been the constant sheer of our
enemies abroad, and the reiterated doubt
of our well-wishers in foreign countries,
that our institutions are too free to stand
a storm,-that they will do well enough
in fair weather, with plain sailing, but that
when any storm of popular opposition
broke out, the Government would find
itself powerless to resist, and must neces-
sarily go down. During more than two
years of this terrible rebellion, our Gov.
eminent has been nobly supported by the
generous self-saorifice of her sons,--a
free-wll offering obtained as soon asked
for. And We gladly pointed to those who
were looking from distance upon our
struggle to our magnificent armies, OBJ
tanned without hint at compulsion, as .
demonstration Of our ability to defend our
institutions against domestic or foreign
foes. Yet they have told us to wait; they
have suspended judgement until sterner
trial should come
And now we have reached thu time
when the Crucial test" il to be applied.
We are now to determine whether the
Government has power not only to invite,
but to compel her SONS to render her that
service which she has the right to claim.
Is it small advantage, then, that is to
be gained by the enforcement of this
measure. when we consider that the
strength of the Government is to be es-
tablished by it in the eyes Of Europe and
the world ?
The world knows that this is free gov
eminent 1t remains for us to demonstrate
that 1t is also strong one. We believe
that this will be satisfactorily proven by
the enforcement of this measure. We
believe that the mob which attempted to
strike down the strong arm of the law will
be poweriess to accomplish it's object
hnbnhaho "l'xeaR;gs lah.uShyvA qaeKsGGl.
any longer from the Administration. 1t
is well known that vicious horse will new
er obey rider who shows in any way that
heis afraid. If the voice of the rider
even trembles he is lost. Can we expect
an infuriated and brutal mob to be awed
by anything less than We should use to
govern brute
We trust-we expect-that the admin
istration will show TO all opponents of this
measure the firm unyielding front which
characteristics the majesty of law. If it
does so we believe that though not man
of those drafted into the service of the
United States should be needed to fight
her battles, great advantage will be
gained in establishing the fact that this
government is strong enough to command
the respect of all foreign powers.