Year: 1863




The following article from the New Y ork
Times, is entitled to consideration in Ohio:


1t has long been aeclared by the rebel jour.
nails, and also by the European journals in the
interest of the rebels, that the Couscription
act could not be enforced, and that this would
compel discortnuance of the war The
an1i-war journals here in the North, while
they in general have not ventured to recon-
mend violent resistance to the CONSUMPTION,
have yet studied to excite against it every un-
reasoning passion and prejudice. Malignants,
teo. of the Vallandigham type, have for months
been doing heir best by artfu harangues, TO
fomeni spirit of resistance These men un-
derstand their work thoroughly. Their busi-
ness was 10 bring about violence and at the
same time keep themselves uncOmmitted to
violence; and Antony himself never managed
that business more skillfully. Every discern
ing man saw what it would end in-the mob
da the street taking upoDI themselves all the
risks, these gentry IN their closets rejoicing in
the fray in which they dared not mngle. The
Government could not blind itself to this
hagitiOus course of action. 1t made some
effort TO defeat it; but it was found that this
only armed these public enemies with new
power, for they suraed it to their advantage
by pretending that it was now a question of
freedom of speech, and gained new influence
by setting themselves up as its champions.
Thus the dangerous element has been cUntin-
ually growing. 1t has spread more or less
through every part Of the North 1t has
reached all the baser portions Of society every
where, and made them restless and ready for
almost any violence. In most communities
this spirit is effectualIy kept under by superior
public opinion. But there are localities where
this public sentiment has no such force. This
has been shown in the rural districts by the
outbreaks which have already occurred in
Ohio aud Indiana. 1t is now being shown
amid city population, where the passions of
men are far more inilammable, and where the
facilities of effective organization are far
greater. What its real strength is, no man
can measure; but yesterdays demonstrations
sufficiently attest that it is quite strong enough
to be formidable and dangerous.


The practical question now is how this spirit
of resistance is to be met. Is it to be done
by discussing the merits and necessities of the
the Conscriplion act? Decidedly no! 1t will
be fatal mist axe for he friends OF the Gov
ernment TO suspend their action un the turn
OF any SUCH question. No man who is at
heart Tor the war by which alone tine Govern
ment can bo sustained has a serious doubt
about either the constitutiohaiity, or the JUS
tice, or the propriety, or the necessity of this
resort for replenishiug the national armies.
Even were it otherWise-were the measure
actually one that could be reasonably ques
toned, it would not affect present duties one
title The one sole fact that must determine
the action of our public authorities against
these demonstrations is that the Oonscription
act stands on the National Statute Book a
la1c. 1t was enacted by the two bodies in
which, under the Constitution, "aH legislative
powers" are granted, aud was approved" by
the President There has never been in this
Republic law Of more absolute validity, or
more perfect sanction. Until it is repealed
or pronounced by the highest Court unconsti-
lulional and null, it must stand, and its re-
uuirements must be satisfied. The admins
traitors Of law have no alternative but to
enforce its provisions without fear or favor.
Come what may, they are shut up to that line
of action And it is the duty of every law
abiding man to sustain them in it. The official
or the citizen who falters, is treaehsrOus to
every civil obligation.