Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1863-09-12
From the State Journal.
The Draff--NO Credit for Sssr-
DssEs EnEiss.aenss.

A l1ttcr is published from Provost
Marshal General Fry, TO Hon. Freeman
Clark, Of New York. #tntirg that it is
found that to adjust the draft to differ
ent localities SO that each will receive
credit for the excess Of volunteers upon
former calls, involves 50 much labor and
delay that the Department has decided
to abandon it. The Letter concludes
"WhiIe | thus frankly admit my inabili-
] ty to 10 what | contemplated. and give
my reasons for it. | can at least ask and
hope for acluiescence in q decision which
! has become unavoidable. The previous
action Of towns and counties in excess
show that they possess a patriotic sense
Of the necessity, the absolute necessity Of
pressing to victorious conclusion the
war upon which we stand or fall rs
nation, aud Of providing men and means
for the purpose. | therefore rely upon
their patriotism and their interest in 4
return Of peace and prosperity 10 abate
little these claims for previous geueros-
! ity, and, if drafted, to assume the honor
which awaits them Of being tie winners
of the last victory.
| No one appreciates noro than l DO
the proprety Of making, and, even, in
sistin4 upon having .lus credit allowed
for tho services alreali. rendered and the
sacrifices already endured, but in at
tempting this, it wouId not do TO yield
the great point Of providing means Of
making Il speedy termination of the war
aud thousand men may now save
the necessity of calling for ten thousand
/ in the future.
Il is rropcr for he 10 inform you, al
so, that the Secretary of War has deci-
de,l that lie has N authority under the
avs Of Congress to deduct the oyerpius
Of volunteers which may have been fur
nished by towns from the quota now or
/ leroI hy draft from these towns"
This decision Of the War Department
involves an injustice whicl, we do not be
Ileyc the President viii permit to be per
petratcd, if his ntt''utlun is properly Ill
rcctcd 10 it.
II would obviously he absurd for the
War Department 10 attempt TO hear and
| determine upon the case of each town
ami corporation. Yet Provost Marshal
! |"s' s"~,>.-' - -',t,I,-a, thrt such IN ciiJ'. Z.
WIS demanded. Upon that supposl;ion
! no one will condemn his decision. But
/ is il not easy to avoid all difficulty, and
to obviatc the it, justice Of drafting in the
same proportion in those towns which
nave already contributed largely beyon
/ thcir proportion Of men as in those that
have raised none at nil? At least if in
justice is done, the War Department may
/ relieve itsalf from the responsibility
! W hen the enrolment is made, 1t is easy
TO determine the quota of the State.-
i The State authorities can readily deter
mine what localities have raised IN OK
cess on previous calls. and what ones arc
! in arrears. Il is not fair that those
! towns and counties which have contribu.
! ted more shan their proportion in the
past, should now he called on to respond
to the draft in the same proportion as
those localities which have raised 10 men
at all.
Drafting is the fairest method of rails
ing an army, because it falls upon all
I parts Of The country alike. The selfish,
tie nrpatriotic, the cowar'lly have 10 re-
/ srond IS we'll rs the generous and brave
! 1t does not drain an,l OF its best and
most patriotic citizens. leaving the inert
and the reasonable behind TO organize
/ for :" fire III the rear Bat for two
4 years tho Government pursued the Sys-
TEN Of raising troops by volunteering
/ The result bus been that those whose pa
/ triotic impulses were livelest, whose at
I tachnent to the Government was most
vivid. have volunteered largely IN excess
/ of other classes. Now. when drafting
is resorted 10, il should first be made in
such manner rs to do substantial JUS
tiee to localities. giving credit for what
has been done in the past, and making
/ up for shortcomings.
4 prompt and earnest appeal ought
TO be made, by the Executives of the sew
cral States interested. to the President,
eud a reversal OF the decision of the
War Department secured.