The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1864-01-20


delay Vas uuavoidably occasioned 10 conse
quence OF the draft being at the time in actua
progress; but all things considered. TIE success
has been more tnan eqnsl 10 the most sangu'n,
expectations Recruiting has been brough
back u he standard of enthusiasm Of the =
ear Of the var, aud the ability Of the STAT,
still to fill its Quotas oy the process Of volunta
ry eulistments, has been proved beyond doubt
BoUNTIEs
This has been accomplished mainly by the Of
fering OF liberal bountivs TO the volunteers auC
thorough agitation aud canvass Of the comma
mites, cons, ouent upon it. The people hav,
generally taken the matter directly la hand them
selves Without any adequate Laws direcirs
their action in a uniform course, they have com,
together in their local munic pal corporations
aud in the various WAYS which seemed best C
lhem, have raised the money to enable them L
Offrr such oOuutirs as seemed Lficieut to nduc,
the enlistment Of the Quisite number OF n Il
70 fil the quota and escape the draft As &
general thing they have aimed az !evying IN
amount raised, hnally, by uniform tax. - or
der ttat al those VINO ought 20 c0utribufe 20 H.
should De made 10 do SO hOWevr unwiliiue any
might De AID TO this there seems to be 10 solid
objection. II any interest l. more indebted
than another for protection, 10 the maintenance
OF stao e government, il is tie property upon
which the taxation will tall Aud nas,nuch a.
the war Is wsged for the protection CT such gov
eminent, it mas justly demand that the proper
" OF the country snail contribute, by fair
ment, TO lis success in every proper way. Whal
more efsctual way than by filing the ranks Of
the srms under the immediate action Of the PEG
pie th-u>elvess
T., Z -.
bonds, aud other evidence OF debt. h4ve been
issued, which lack he necessary statutory sane
ZION, and do not therefore possess. ia the hands
OF tie holders, their proper and legitimate
value.
These obligations have been entered into in
good faith aud in good faith received presum-
ing upon the patriotism and justice of the Leg
slsture. They have been Incurred for the most
patriotic object, and have accomplished most
honorable odd bsns6ei~I -eeal--, bysh ~ tue
Stare and the Nation.
| have no hesitation, therefore. in recommend
ing that the legislative sanction b. given 10 the
sctlon Of the people in the raising of money for
the payment OF OOunties 10 volunteers since the
passage Of the act OF 1868. under such guards
aud restrictions as may be thought necessary
tor protection sgaiDst frauds and pre,euded
claims
n this connec ion, I wish also to call the az
tention Of the Legislature TO the osession OF the
propriety Of providing, 5y law, a uniform rule.
BY virtue of which oounlies NAV hereafter be
raised without the irregularities which have here
tofore occurred, and without he necessity Of an
other resort 70 ar extra session.
IL is extremely desirable that whcnever boun-
lies are offered. they should ne Uniform in amount
hrOug bout the State. 10 order that different To-
cslities NAV be prevented from ii heated compe
tiuOn ard bidding against e-ch other, IN MAN.
ner alike disasti Gus 10 themselves and the service
resulting in too many cases 90 downright 6ecep-
tion and f'sud, both upon the Volunteers them
selves and the towns and cities from which they
enlist. For this purpose il has been thought
best by many patriotic persons that bounues
should be fsred only BY tie State. and that the
smaller municipal corporations should be entrel,
forbidden 10 do so. In this opinion | do not
concur. After considerable Oos.I walton and ex
perieuce, | am convinced that no cOuiriva c.
has yet been adopted which Can cOuDsre 10 eiic
ency with the loca bounty for procuring enlist
ments into the military service. The same
amount Of money offered IN any o. her wav
either oy the State or General Government VI
not begin TO equal II, a. the reason l. Obvious
When the people of a town. or ward Of a CITY
are called together 10 consider of the prop iety
Of raising bounty to & The quota Of the toNt
or ward, a very great interest : awakened In TIE
question at the very first step. AID when Il i
finally determined TO do so, aud 10 asses The
amount in some way upon the liFtIe community.
the Interest Is so gresfly enhanced tat every
individual OF that community feels thorough ~
committed to The project. aud l-ncs his u,most
indueuce 10 accomplish il This il duence i
worth even more than the money ifsef Few
viii enlist from a colo. eless community. no mat
Ter Tor the money that nay De offered Bu, le,
the whole people rise up TO cheer on those who
enter the service Of their cOubtry. offsrin- gen
erous oouuti-s. not 10 buy All unwilling soldier.
bot a. an earnest Of hearty good viii towards a
gs'lant defender Of most righteous cause. in
which al the blood mat u she'd shall be sacred
aud the case is "bravely slrered" TIE sm5i
uous, enthusiastic Young men will 20 shouting
with Joy 10 the ranks. and take % their arms
with The spirit OF heroes
Ia whatever laws NAV be enacted upon this
suhj-ct, the object should De 70 aid the action
OF the people oy giving legal force ard va
hdity to such measures a. they mas decide upon,
as being most likely TO accomplish their purpose
AT the same time Il will be Nise 70 81 soue vel
defined limits. beyond which u shsl not De isE-
iai 10 go 10 prevent ineoosGerate rashness In
fixing such limits, care should De taken to avoid