Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-07-27

The Reasons for the Draft.
The New York Herald, in commenting upon
the reasons given for the enforcement of the
draft, remarks:
One of our Washington correspondents states
that the main reason for the enforcement of the
draft at this time is the threatening aspect of our
relations with England. The government at
Washington looks upon the speeches in Parlia-
ment, the hostile attitude of the press of London,
and the decision made in the Alexandra case, as
an intimation of war, and therefore pushes for.
ward the draft to be prepared for it. Another
reason assigned is the complication growing out
OF the French war in Mexico; but this, like that
of England, we consider rests entirely upon con
tiDgencies yet in the future. Ii is also stated
from other sources that the government is
DESTROYS of the draft under the idea that many of
those drafted will pay the three hundred dol
lars, and thus a fund will be obtained
large enough to pay sufficient bounty to
the two years and nine months men to induce
them to re enlist. II is likewise said that the au-
thorities consider this the eliminating point of the
rebellion, and they desire to organize the $780,
OOO additional men as a reserve force, for the
purpose Of showing the Rebels that there is no
use of their holding out any longer. 1t is under
stood that the Administration intend to enlarge
and strengthen all the Notifications along our
~sescoast, and many of the new men will be
placed in those Notifications, and there be drilled
in the manning Of heavy guns aud in artillery
practice.
We have not sufficient data to say whether all
these reasons have convinced the government
that the draft is im2eratively necessary at this
time. Whether any one or all of them have led
TO the call for more troops, time will show.
Meanwhile let everybody keep cool. Let all
calm their troubled souls, and wait patiently the
development that the day brings forth, and they
may yet see the present troubles all amicably ar
ranged. and the rights of all properly protected.
In a Republican government the rulers are
recognized not as masters but as servants of the
people. The policy of the Administration should
not therefore be concealed from the country.
The people have a right to know the considera-
tons and objects for which burdens are demanded
Of them by those who conduct the government.
If the present forces in the field are insufficient to
overthrow the Rebel armies; or if our foreign re-
l%ations are so complicated that hostilities may
result with foreign powers; or if revenue is to be
raised from the payments for exemptions; or if it
is necessary to enlarge. strengthen and man the
Notifications upon the coast; or if it is the policy
to overawe the rebellion BY calling out
an overshidowing force, they should be given as
sufficient reasons for ordering a large draft, but
it is due to the people. the source of
power, that they should be advised as to the
policy Of the Administration, and their represen
tatives consulted before any important measures
are adopted which the exigencies of the country
do not seem to demand The people have cheer
fully and with alacrity responded TO every call of
the Administration for men and money when the
national paoaostt;oc caar,ad IN Ianaod IL anJ
they will in like spirit still further respond to
such calls if they are satisfied shat there are no
other purposes in view but the suppression of the
rebellion, the restoration of the Uuion
and the maintenance of the constitution
al Government "a administered so wisely
by Washington and his successors. A love of
liberty, of self government. not unrestricted, but
regulated by the constitution and laws framed
and enacted by themselves. animates and con-
trolls the American people. To secure and per-
petuate the blessings of civil and religious liber-
ty they are ready to make every needful sacrifice.
They desire to see this great Republic, which has
been the asylum of the oppressed of all ma
tons, continued upon the basis which has
given it its prosperity. strength and glory.
1t should not be forgotten that the price of
liberty is eternal vigilance, hence the necessity
of watching and resisting every encroachment
upon popular rights and every exercise of arbi-
trary power. We do not ask that the Admins
%tration should divulge the movements of the
armies or the military strategy of their Generals,
but if it is pure in purpose and sincerely desires
the confidence of the people, it will have no con-
cealments as to public policy, and 10 Interior de-
signs which are not apparent TO the country. 1t
is the distrust of the capacity and designs of the
representatives of the party in power that has d.
vided the Northern people. and they have a right
to manifest that distrust when the Administration
has proven so faithless to all lis public pledges.
What possible harm could arise by letting the
people know, in the present state of the country,
the necessity or justification for a draft of three
hundred thousand conscriptsf
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