Year: 1864

The Lafayette Journal, which assumes no
small share Of political sagacity and influence,
in its issue of Saturday charges that 1.-THE In
dianapols Sentinel does not directly oppose the
draft, but the tendency of its articles upon the
subject is to lead the people to believe that Mr.,
LINCOLN has been deceiving the nation and tri1ing
with the people," The people were assured by
high officials in the confidence of Mr.. LINCOLN
that the call for three hundred thousand men
would be the last. More than this. since that
call was issued, the telegraph. under government
supervision. has reported to the country from day
to day. that the rebel armies were demoralized
that the desertions from them were fabulous in
numbers. and that the rebellion nearly played
out. Right upon the heels of these declarations,
to use a homely comparison. another requisition
is made for troops. And what is the
apology offered for this new calf
The telegraph advises us that the
news from the South, the vigorous efforts being
made by the Confedeaates for the campaign of
this year. made this call for additional troops
anecessity. We said not word against the draft
We only censured the Administration for its
lack of sagaeity and its inability to appreciate
the resources Of the enemy. The country has a
right to expect that those to whom are commit
ted the management of public affairs will be
able to comprehend the trust con6ded to them.
IF we have committed an error it is in placing
or even expressing any confidence in either
the ability or honesty o: the present representa-
tives of the government. But short time ago.
early in January, Senator WILSON, Chairman of
the Military Committee in the Senate. in alluding
to the last call Of the President for three hundred
thousand men. remarked: --ft


THE government has called for three hundred
thousand men, and presume that is the number
the government wants, either OF old veterans
who re enlist or of new men. More than half of
those men, / think. we shall have enlisted within
the next twenty thirty days"


But the Journal apologies for the new call
by stating it would not have been necessary,
"but for the fact that the War Department de-
cided to credit the re enlisting veterans to the
State quotas under the last call for 300, 900. -
The Chairman Of the Senate Military Committee
states that the War Department had taken that
feature into consideration when the last call was
made.


In the same speech Senator WILSON expressed
the opinion that "there was more danger from
the want of money than the want of men," and
if such be the case. this additional call will only
increase the embarrassment We quote another
extract from that speech to show that the Ad.
ministration party is furnishing the most potent
arguments against the policy of the draft and tine
ability Of the nation to stand up under it- Said
Senator WILsoS:


A large number of the States will furnish voiun
teers: some will not ! think we shall have :
draft: but 1 do not think it will be necessary tc
continue drafting. We have in the service o
the country, and are paying in our army. thinl
not less than $50 900 or 700 900 men, We mus
have from 400 900 500 900 effective soldiers il
tbs field / do not believe that the rebellion has
over 225 900 men in arms, and have very gooC
reason so to believe. believe that If we ds
our duty. the military power of this rebellion
will be crushed out before the first of Octobe
next
/ want to adopt a policy that shall bear a
lightly as possible upon our people-upon ou
productive industry-and shall 6ll up our armies
That is the first question; and | want to save tn
treasury all the expense that can possibly b
saved. / believe our danger is more from wan
of money than from want of mel.


The Journal had better settle accounts with il
political friends before it makes issue with II
political opponents. We will however excuse III
ignorance of that print. if it will hereafter max
a reasonable effort to comprehend the question
IL attempts to discuss e