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| Drafting.5 |
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Wool, commander of the military district, were too few at the beginning to quell the riot.
Others were summoned from the military posts in the harbor, and these, with the efficient Metropolitan Police, managed, by Thursday, to hold the mob in check.
At that.time the volunteer companies of the city were beginning to return from Pennsylvania,1 and the leaders of the riot plainly saw that further resistance to authority would be dangerous.
So the city, after a sacrifice of life estimated at full four hundred persons,2 and a loss of property, for which it was compelled to pay, valued at $2,000,000,3 became quiet and orderly.
The Draft was temporarily suspended until further orders from Washington, and the Governor gave assurances that it, would not be renewed in the State of New York until the question of its constitutionality should be decided by the courts.
His political friends urged him to use the military power of the State in the maintenance of that position.4
Governor Seymour implored the President first to suspend the Draft because of alleged inequality in its operation, and to postpone it until the courts should pass judgment upon it. The Executive agreed to suspend it until a fair scrutiny of its operations could be had but he refused to postpone it for adjudication, for the reason that precious time would thus be lost, and the National cause endangered, for the Confederates were then sweeping into their military ranks every able bodied man they could lay their hands on. It was obvious to all that compliance with the demands of the Governor
would be the most speedy and efficient means for securing the triumph of the Conspirators; also, that the theory involved in that demand, when
1 See note 5, page 52.
2 In his next annual message, Governor Seymour said the estimated number of the killed and wounded was 1,000.
3 About twenty persons (twelve of them colored) were killed by the rioters. The remainder were slain by the military and police in the performance of their duty. They made exemplary work with the insurgents, firing directly among them, with deadly effect. Over fifty buildings were destroyed by the mob, and a large number of stores and dwellings, not burned, were sacked and plundered.
4 “Governor Seymour,” said the New York Daily News, “has pledged his word and honor (and the people of New York trust in and believe in him) that not one single drafted citizen shall be forced away from the State until the constitutionality of the conscription act shall have been decided.” The New York Express said: “He is virtually pledged to call forth the entire militia force of the State of New York, to resist the kidnapping which Abolitionist howlers declare is inevitable, and we entertain no doubt that he will keep his word.”
5 this little picture represents the manner of drafting. The names of persons liable to the Draft or conscription, were written on cards that were placed in the cylinder, made of tin, in which was a door. The drawing was public. A person, blindfolded, stood by the cylinder, and when it was turned several times, so as to mix the cards, he thrust in his hand and took out one. This was handed to the marshal, or his deputy, the name on the card distinctly spoken, and then recorded. This process was repeated, until the required number in the township or ward was drawn.
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