The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1863-07-02

srArx OF WISCONSIN, ExrCurrvE DErARr.,
MADISON, june 2sth, 1858.
GENERAL: Returning home after sew
eral weeks absence, fnd reports and ru-
mors Of difficulties, existing or apprehend-
ed, IN the execution of the CONSUMPTION
law, and also request of the A A. Pro
vest Marshal General to furnish some
State arms TO District Provost Marshals.
Although the execution of this law de-
wolves entirely upon officers Of the gene.
raj government. deem it not improper,
under the circumstances to address you,
as the commander Of the Department Of
the Northwest, on the subject.
IL am correctly advised, the employ
ment OF United. States military force in
the execution of this law, depends in a
great measure upon your judgement and
discretion, as the employment of State
forces for that purpose would depend upon
the Governor OF the State.
desire, therefore. to express to YOU
my confidence that the people of all parts
of this State, are in the main, willing to
obey this as well as any other law, und
4 HAT the evil authorities are generally
willing and competent to execute it l
do MT think that any open or concerted
resistance will be offered anywhere in the
State.
In my judgement, the military power
should not be employed in the enforce.
ment of any law in the FIRST instance, but
1t should be left to the ordinary civil Off.
GERS and tribunals 10 see its execution,
unless it should clearly appear that the
latter are unwilling or unable to do 50.
Ii was upon this principle that acted in
the enforcement OF the draft last fall whe n
declined to employ military force until
the necessity therefor became apparent.
The unfortunate violent disturbances
and resistance which then occurres will
not, however, firmly believe, ind a rep
etition in this act, and l trust that the
civil authorities viii be able TO suppress
every attempt that may be made TO inter
fere with the prompt execution Of the
law
Trusting that your views will coincide
with mine. and that military force will
not be employed unless it should become
absolutely necessary,
am General, very respectfully, your
obi serv't,
(Signed) EDWARD SALMON,
Governor OF Wisconsin.
MAJ. GEN, JOHN PoPE, commanding
Departmental the Northwest
LETTER OF MAI. GEN. PoPE.
HRApouARTERs DEPRT. or THE NORTHWEST,
MILWAUKEE June 25th, 1868
GOVERNOR | hsve the honor TO &C
knowledge the receipt of your letter of
the 23d inst, in relation to the execution
of the Conscription Law In this State,
aud to the question of the use of military
foree,tar that purpose.
fully agree you, that the military
force should not be employed within the
loyal States in the execution of this or
any other law until all the means for It's
enforcement usual IN times pas. have
been exhausted. Conflicts of authority
between the military and civil depart
ments, or between the military forces and
the people, are entirely to be deprecated.
am sure that you will bear willing tes-
timony TO the respect which has been ex-
hibited towaId the constituted authorities
OF this State, and to the care with which,
In the discharge OF duty in this Military
department. complications or misunder-
standings which might arise from such
cause have been avoided.
! have been satisfied from the begin
nlpg that, IN nearly every case, the Con-
scrptiop Law can be executed by the civil |
authorities alone, through the people act |
ing under their directions, the legal and
usual forms. In the discretion entrusted
TO me by the Government, as to the en-
ploynen! of military force for the execu.
tion Of this law within this Military De.
psrtment, have steadily declined TO
permit the use of any of the troops under
my command, unless l could be convinced
that all other legitimate means had been
'riei without success. Already, In one or
two cases. have found that the applica.
tions for military aid had been made
without necessity, the enrolment under
the iaw having been completed thoroughly
BY the willing aid of the civil authorl.ies
The habit of resorting 10 military force
In every trifiing case OF opposition or re-
sistsnce to the laws, is becoming 80 com
mon TO excite in the minds Of iudicious
Den Very serious alarm. Such q prac.
tice entirely supplsnts the civil authori
ties, sets aside lime-honored means for
the enforcement Of the laws in this conn.
try. destroys in the citizen that feeling of
personal interest In their exeeuf,on
through which alone we have maintained
popular government, and prepares the
Pnehc mind for complete abdication Of
evil r,ue
Il rs Impossible 10 believe that citizens
OF THIS country. except under The mmedi
ate influence Of excitement, can be will,
ing to trus. the enforcement Of civil law
to military force, and thus TO surrender
the very highest privilege and duty OF
American citizens. Such course woaId
inevitably lead, il persisted in. 10 IN.
compete dominion Of the military, and
the final oyesthrow Of Tree insiitutlous.-
This practice teLds also naturally to veal
On IN the soldier that reverence Tor civil
law, and that respect for the civil author
ities. with which he entered the military
service. which be Still earnestly eherishe.
and upon which alone we must rely for
the quiet disbandinQ of our great arm;as