, 1863-08-15
rHE WASHINGTON STATESMAN
sAUTRDAY MORNING, AUa. l5, 1859

The war news we publish this week
will be read with interest, though no great
battles have taken place. The army of the
Potomac is at present inactive, and will
probably remain so until its ranks are
again filed up. The Conscription law
according to the dispatches, is being en-
forced in some of the States, but in Massa-
chusetts and some other of the New Eng
land States there seems to be lack of able
bodied men, and those who are not ex-
empted from the draft by law are leaving
for parts unknown. If the Conscription
law is to be evaded in one State it will GER
tainly be done in others. If the people Of
one or more States are permitted to dodge
the draft question, it will be an up hill bus
mess enforcing it in the remaining Nor
thern States.
The rebel Morgan and his band of raid
sters have been captured by the Federals.
The Unionists are still operating against
Forts Wagner and Sumter and are hopeful
of reducing those srongholds.
The rebel newspapers speak of an en-
gagement between the Federal troops un-
der Gen Banks and the rebel forces under
Dick Taylor, in which Banks was routed
with loss of 5000 prisoners. The dis
patches through Northern sources make no
mention of such battle having been
fought. At any rate if Banks has had an
engagement the result as stated by the
Southern dispatches is no doubt greatly
exaggerated in favor of the rebels.
Louis Napoleon's late operations in Mex.
leo are creating great excitement in the
newspaper world. The Secessionists of the
Slidell school in Paris are reported to be
jubilant over the prospects of an early re-
cognition of Independence of the Southern
Confederacy by France. They regard Ma
poleons foothold in Mexico as the equiva-
lent of Southern independence The jour
nails on this coast are discussing the prob
ability of war with France and seem tc
favor the idea of a possibility of such q
result. 1t will no doubt be the policy o.
our government to keep alOof from a wal
with France as long as possible under oul
present embarrassed circumstances but
if France shows an aggressive attitude to.
ward the Federal Government unmistaka-
bly, hostile, war will ensue. With no civ
il strife in the United States, Napoleon
would not dare to assume a menacing at
titude toward this coast. However, be
may yet conclude that it is best for him tc
proceed cautiously.
The bearing of England toward our Gov
ernment at present is rather patronizing.
The election in Kentucky is reported by
the dispatches to have gone Union. The
War Democratic ticket then, we under
stand has been triumphant. Out here thai
kind of a ticket would be called Copper.
head by. the radicals. The Louisville
Journal says there is no emancipation party
in Kentucky, and that one cannot be formed
there. The same paper further says tha
the people there will not support thc
Emancipation Proclamation either as mil
itary or political necessity" The opposi
ton ticket was anti-war and reconstruction
Wicklife, was the candidate for Governor
of the anti-war party and Bromlette, the
candidate Of the wal party. So there is nc
possible chance for the Republicans to claim
that election for their Union party