Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1863-10-15
AN INSIDE VIEW OF THE DRAFT.

AN INSIDE VIEW OF THE DRAFT.
The Hon. J. A. GILMORE, the present Republi-
can Governor Of New Hampshire, has just made
an exposition to the people Of that State which
gives an inside view Of the vexations, delays, and
,,dssppointments attending the enforcement of the
transcription law.
1t seems that many Of the towns and cities in
New Hampshire have furnished during the pre-
sent war more than their full quota of men already
called into the volunteer service Of the United
States while others have furnished less and hence
the Legislature Of the State, by resolution ap-
proved July 10, 1868, requested Gov. Gilmore to
partment, and, in case draft was ordered in New
Hampshire under the law Of Congress, to make
such arrangements as would secure Gan apportion-
ment of the men to be drafted among the towns
and cities, SO that after such draft should be CON-
pleted, the number of men heretofore furnished by
together with the number Of men that might be
drafted from, the several towns and cities should
be in the proportion which the number of en-
rolled militia in the several towns and cities should
bsar to the whole enrolled militia Of the State"
Accordingly, with that degree Of promptitude
which the conceived Importance Of the subject de-
manded, Gov. Gilmore, on the very day of the pas
sage of these instructions, sent copy of them to
the Secretary Of War, accompanied by letter in
which the most palpable injustice" Of any other
p,aicy than that indicated by the Legislature was
soup. 1t to be enforced by argument and entreaty
In his |. tier to the Secretary Gov. Gilmore said
!" Won will It once perceive my dear sir the great dif
onty Of enorc q the draft manifesty unjust it would
be- carried out az Suggested Our people would almost
revolt at such rage upon the panest principles Of
Justice and equality.
What would be right and what should be done, a. it
10 me- ia that uctons be issued to our provost
marshas to take into co1s ,n1 t
present war and to make the draft in such way to
equaze the number Of taken from each town Tor the
war whether volunteers or by draft
This is matter which comes home to the feelings and
sentiments of our people very strongly and beg OF you
my dear sir that you will not hesitate at once to issue the
orders necessary TO secure 70 our aau
ton Of public policy and natural equity they are 30 clearly
entitled
On the next day four Republican members
Of Congress from New Hampshire, Messrs. Hale,
Clark, Rollins, and Patterson, Joined with his Ex-
oeIlency in endeavoripg to impress upon Mr.. Stan
ton the importance of the subject They wrote:
"I the Department will allow State authorities TO
assign quotas to the towns in making the number from
the districts, the matter be made satisfactory We
refer to papers forwarded to the Department BY Coz I'LL
more and Major Mack"
After the lapse of three days, having heard mo-
thing definite from the War Department, the Gov
,ernor, in order that no effort might be spared to
accomplish the desired result, dispatched Mr.. W..
G. Ordway, the chairman of the Republican Ex-
ecutiye State Committee of New Hampshire, as
special messenger to Washington, with letter,
under date of July IA, 1858, calling the Gimme
diate attention of Mr. Stanton to this matter Is
one of the " utmost Importance
And two days later the indefatigable Governor
again called the attention Of the Secretary to his
application, remarking that compliance with the
equitable plan suggested would not "delay the
draft day." He added:
This question is Of immense import to the peace
full execution Of the draft in State Answer immedi
.Ately"
At last on the 18th of July, the Governor re-
.eiyed the following telegraphic despatch from the
Secretary OF War:
WASHINGTON, July ~, 1858.
aTbe act Of Assembly OF your state only rescnoo mere
TODAY The question presented 10 your telegram and let
tar has been carefully considered. II absolutely mpos
sbe to make the appotonment by TOWNS The mere CUES
ton of some days delay of no essential importance
the object could be accomplished but it cannot Inc APP
poroDment Of credit 10 made by Cong DISTRICTS
according TO tie act Of Cor6res'
EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary OF War
"Gov GILMORE"
In the face Of such decision the Governor ap-
pears to have been struck with CONSERVATION, and
immediately tolegraphed to Mr.. Stanton as fol-
s'ws: co.ao,. ,,,x % ,os,
] am in receipt of yonr despatch Of yesterday. IL
SIN: IN be made yoa have decided, you must send
the dsa't eaforce it, Viii YOU not send the New
regiment :! Ss II Please answer BY telegraph.
HamPthire rhlL " j. A. GILMORE,
@Gorsrnor Of New Hsmpshire.
Hon T. NJ sr.sro. v secressry OF War
Bot before this alarming communication reacnea
the Secretary Of War, he seeh," % naSe fsSoss'o-
cred the apparently hasty conclusion Expressed y
his despatch Of the 18th, appears oy tins '0how,
ing, Of the same date, but which the Governor o'1
not receive until the following day: