Monday, July 20, 1863.Washington, DC.
| President Lincoln writes to New Jersey Governor Joel Parker,
who wrote to Lincoln with concerns about the new Enrollment Act. Parker wrote,
"[N]o man can predict the results which might follow the enforcement of the
draft in the present feverish state of the public mind. . . . I deem it my duty
to state to you that there is a deep rooted hostility with many of the people
of this state to the provisions of . . . the conscription act, which is liable
to lead to popular outbreak if it be enforced." Lincoln answers, "It is a very
delicate matter to postpone the draft in one State, because of the argument it
furnishes others to have postponements also. . . . I wish to avoid the
difficulties you dread, as much as yourself." Joel Parker
to Abraham Lincoln, 15 July 1863, Abraham
Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC;
Abraham Lincoln to Joel Parker, 20
July 1863, CW, 6:337-38.
Congs. Lovejoy (Ill.) and Arnold (Ill.) discuss with Lincoln problems of
slavery and Border States. Francis F. Browne, The
Everyday Life of Abraham Lincoln (New York: Thompson, 1886),
533. President recognizes Guillermo B. Newberry as consul of
Peru at Boston. Washington Chronicle, 21 July 1863. |