Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-07-22
THE ARMs-BEARING POPULATION OF THE COUNTRY
IN 1861.

THE ARMs-BEARING POPULATION OF THE COUNTRY
IN 1861.
After perusing the Presidents proclamation
calling for FIVE hundred thousand men in addi-
ton to those already put under arms the first
question of the reader this morning will be- prob
ably. "Can the country sustain this drain Of its
populaton?" We furnish a statement of the
population of the United States at the beginning
of the war, with the proportion thereto capable
of bearing arms. the number of men already
called to the field, &c. reply to the interro-
gatory.
By the census of 1860. it appears that the total
population Of the United States, at that time,
was 81 14S 600 Of which the white population
numbered % 957 600 OF this aggregate. the
free States had within their boundaries II ,924,
400-the slave States 036, 900. But Delaware,
MARYLAND, Kentucky, Missouri. and that portion
of Virginia now known as West Virginia, have
been and are ranked with the non -slaveholding
States in loyalty to the Federal Government
Their population was 1888, $50 Out of this
number. however. certain proportion active
sympathisers with the rebellion. and have fur
nished large quota toward the support of the
rebel armies Probably the number may be
stated at half milon-leaving, in round num-
bers. two millions who may be represented in the
armies of the Union. This number, deducted
from the population of the slave States, will give
seven
tcally) the total number from which the rebel
lion could recruit its armies; while correspond
ing addition to the population OF the free States
swelled it to nearly twenty millions But to this
number must he added the free blacks of the
North. the slaves who have come under the con-
troll of the United States Government, and the
number of loyal Southerners who have estab-
lished their adhesion to that Government since
the war began-in all about 81 600. 000-making
the aggregate loyal population 81 100000 Ac-
cording to the proportion shown in the census
tables Of 1860 of this population the number of
males between the ages of eighteen and forty
five would be about 5000 600 As the census
returns of 1860 show that the total number of
males in the United States at that time. between
the above mentioned ages, was 5 G24 065. this
estimate would give to the States in revolt be-
tween 600 900 and 700 900 males capable of bear
ing arms.
HOW LARGE DRAFT NATION CAN SUSTAIN.
In number of the Fe1eralist Mr. Madison
made the following statement:
1.-The highest number to which according to the
best computation, standing army can be carried
in any country does not exceed hundredth
part of the whole number OF souls. or one TWEEN
ty-ffth part of the number able TO bear arms
Assuming that this estimate is correct, it fol-
lows that country having population Of TWEEN
ty.One millions of souls could not safely furnish
an army of more than two hundred thousand
men. But the military machinery of the present
day is such, aud the relations of commerce to
agriculture and manufacture so changed since
the day a. which Mr. Madison wrote. that there
Is no doubt tn At much greater number of men
than that given above could be safely withdrawn
from the domestic pursuits of the countrv-a fact
sufficiently proven in the course OF the present
war. We believe that at least half a million
men can be drawn from such population under
similar circumstances. without materially affect
ing the prosperity of those remaining at home or
altering the course of government. But let Us
see how many have actually been called into
service stree the beginning OF the war.
NUMBER or MN ALREADY SENT TO THE FIELD.
In his report made on the LIST Of December.
1861. Secretary Cameron stated that II SIS men
we're raised during that year. under the first call
OF the President. These were three months
men," The number OF men. at the date of his
report, enlisted for three wears. was 66D.91l. So
overwhelming was the response for men, at that
time. that the Secretary stated that ne had no
doubt that the national forces could have been
swollen TO a million Of men had no; the Depart
ment felt constrained TO restrict volunteering.
july l. ls62. Immediately after the retreat
from the Peninsula. the President issued call
for three hundree thousand more volunteers
This force was chiefly of infantry. in pursuance
OF a recommendation from the President.
On the fth Of August. OF the same year, the
President called To the Geld three hundred ,hous-
and militia. 20 serve for term OF nine months.
This number was promptly furnished.
June 10. 1863. the President summoned from
certain States militia tn the number of 100. 900.
This number was afterwari increased TO 100 ono.
During the mouth of july. 1863 draft for
300 900 men enforced There j. public
means OF knowing the number o. men yielded
by this conscription
Since the 18th OF October last. lat which time
a call for three hundred thousand men was made