The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1863-08-06
Enforce the Draft.


Resistance to the laws is rebellion; and
rebellion must be put down by the strong
force of lawful authority, whether it be in
South Carolina, Virginia, or New York.
There are no terms to be made with rebels.
Mob or Confederacy of rcsisters of the law
must be made to submit. Compromise or
concession are out Of the question; for to
yield to the demands of lawless violence is
to subvert the foundations not only of gov
ernment, but oflaw itself, and of civil order.
The laws must be maintained and enforced
at whatever cost. 1t is no matter how
many lives are sacrificed in the assertion
Of the supremacy of the law, and of lawful
authorities for unless this supremacy is
established no life is safe.
The Government is bound therefore, to
use all the force at its command TO suppress
the mob, and to enforce the draft which
has served as pretext for the mob in New
York. Every loyal citizen throughout the
country rejoiced when the oonscript,on was
first ordered, for it was felt that thus an
army would be obtained sufficient, with the
force now in the field, to extinguish the re-
bellion. The draft was no doubt heavy
one but heavy draft at first was likely
to be less severe drain upon the communi-
ty than succession of small and inefficient
drafts. This was the first feeling of loyal
men and now, since resistance to the draft
has been made, since the. laws have been
violently opposed, and traitorous dema-
gogues in the Nol tn have excited the low.
est and most ignorant portions of the CON-
nifty to rise against the Government, and
have thus given aid to the armed enemies
of the country now, every loyal man feels
that there is . more pressing need than ev-
er that the draft be fairly and completely
enforced, and that the legitimate power Of q
popular and democratic government, like
our own, be exerted in summoning and in
compelling, ifneed be, every citizen to bear
his part in the conflict in which the very life
ofthe nation is at stake.
The resistance to tho draft has sprung,
in the main from malignant opposition to the
Government which seize upon theconscrp-
ton as . pretext for exciting passion and
hatred of the administration and from the
easily alarmed ignorance of foreign, but
naturalized population suddenly subjected
to claim for military service. The real |
opposition to the measure is confined to |
very small class. It's only by exaggera-
ton, by panic, by temper izing and by the
nnprincipalled arts of demagogues and trait
ors that it can be made to take any alarm. |
ing proportions.
Let the Government then vigorously en-
'orce the draft The nation feels the danger
'f ftimidity, and demands resolute action
It feels the disgrace as well as the peril of
resolution in the enforcement Of the laws.
Let the conscriphon be carried forward
without delay or flinching, and the admins. |
ration may rely on the support Of all citi-
Eens of whatever party, who do not desire
o see anarchy substituted for the regular
course OF social order and established gov
'rnment, and this support will be given |
With such hearty and unanimous vigor, rs
!, prove to the enemies Of the nation. .whe,h |