The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-01-06

and all sections Of the country; In New England Penn.
sylvnnia and the West
BY an arrangement with Colonel Owen and Major
Townsend volunteering under the last call, except the
first ten DISTRICTS conducted under the direction OF
committees for the several Congressional DISTRICTS APP
pointed jointly by the state national authorities In
the FIRST ten districts including the New York
aud Bro0kiyn the whole matter was left in charge Of
General Hays and the local authorities. am advised
Of the results In that part OF the state, but in the other
twenty one districts the system adopted has been
cessful
The attempt 10 III armies by drafting was abortive.
While gaveno useful result, 1t disturbed the public
mind IL carried anxiety and perplexity into the work
shops, the fields, and the homes OF our citizens.
II not only fails TO Ill armies but II produces dis
content In the servce IL opposed to the genius our
political system aenaes our people from the govern
ment II IS injurious to the industrial pursuits OF the
country.
The difficulty getting recruits is owing in part, to
the exhausng demands which have been made for
sgs sae nuS also owing to other and
attempted " keep up the number OF In the fled
without regard 70 State or local governments ana
aside those numerous minor local organizations, whose
united contributions of men have made up our vast
armies BY Efforts TO make itself independent OF popular
and local influences the general government impaired its
power 10 get recruits
s asked why draft should succeed at the North
as well as at the south Our soldiers would cheeriuy
undergo the hadshps not only OF coerced but unpaid
service II the condition OF tue country demanded these
SACRIFICES They would the soldiers OF the South d.,
readily share IN the priyaons OF their fellow citizens.
But upon the same principle they have right share
IN the prosperity Of the comm unity when many
enriched by the operations Of this war and when those
who stay al home enjoy Unusual wages While gov
ernment and people financially pros perous armies
ought to be ned by bountes and not by coecan Govern
ment s bound IN equal nstce 10 give soldiers the
same pay which labor home Another diitcuiy
Is the depreciation OF currency While farmers
avoids the deprec;aon by increased price pay, the
soldiers have lost third the value pay
the money they get worth less by thirty per
ihan when the war began. Hence their families sui
fcriug.
When this war audi our soldiers return to the
field or the Workshop their ibor viii be taxed with
Of al other citizens 20 pay the debt It heaps up Why
should they not have fair share OF its expenditures
They win have 10 bear their share OF payment.
The law u Congress designed to keep up the
per OF men ~ the field with the least possible public
pense It's workings are the OF this IL has proved
levy upon property rather than draft upon persons.
Tue act or forcing citizens from their homes repugnant
to the feelings OF the people, State local municipal
mposi,on - sssvx as susa panu sceues " INC
bounties TO volunteers. This will continue TO be
the eject OF every attempt At coerced military ser
vice aud with stu increasing taxation Prior TO 1852
our armies were mainly oiled BIZ those who
eepted the usual pay and bountss OF our soldiers
In 1852 when IL was proposed 60 make draft under
state laws the local and State bountes we're about 500
IAst year, under the Congressional act, $500 paid
i an volunteers IN our principal cite, AZ tbs time un
bountes amount 70 $685. These local bouutes DO
prevent the exhaustion OF our national treasury. Tney
are gwen by the same taxpayers who uphold the natons
credit They are more oppressive up the industry Of
the country than they would be the made part the
national debt, and were thus more fEiy dinuaed
the whole country The ten lions paid TO government
for examinations were taken from class OF men who
could III anora 70 part With their small earnings II was
more hurtfu 10 the country than diused tax for
hundred millions OF dollars.
The expense OF raising troops Is aso increased by the
unexpected and irregular demands OF the government Tor
soldiers. Within the past eighteen months the govern
ment has made calls upon the country for more than
1000 900, and upon this state for 24s 900 men
These demands, coming unexpectedly after great ar
mics had been sent into the hed embarrassed the bust
ness Of the country Many who with time 10 make pre-
paratons would have entered Into the service could not
meet these unexpected acquisitions In addition TO the
confusion thus created, threatened drafts added to the
popular excitement. Enormous bounties have been OF.
fered by States towns and counties 10 their anxious com
petition 10 get volunteers 20 avoid co1scripion.
Another fragrant evil incident 10 sudden and irregular
calls 70 DO filled within short periods TO avoid draft Is
the opportunity Afforded tor hea-tess frauds, BY which
volunteers are entapped into the service and cheated out
OF their bounes because they not advised OF the ad
vantages offered. Under permanent aud uniform sys-
tenn OF volunteering such outrages could not all
classes would become familiar With its terms.
In keeping up armies regard must be had 10 the in
dustry OF the people. II this not done military
power win be destroyed. Our armies should DO al
loved to run down until they inecient and then
reinforced by convulsvs efforts These evils will be
avoided II, in the place Of drafts and calls permanent
plan for recruiting adopted and regiments Kept up by
constant supply or recruits. The drain for men
will be less hurtful, o. IL win make sudden
sonable bountes will induce volunteering, az time
VIII he allowed TO those disposed 10 the service
70 arrange their Affairs without sacrifice IN addition
this continuous system OF recruiting, the militia OF the
several States should be armed and equipped the
ner set forth 10 the national constitution They will
reserve force 70 be called out TO check disasters fol
low up the advantages OF While the existence OF
such militia would thus insure success 10 Military opera
tons, they would not be hurtuliy Withdrawn from The
industry OF the country they would uphold the laws In
from abroad " our state and nah nal governments had
obeyed ibe requirements o ber several constitute rs.