Lincoln July 20, 1863 - Concerns About the Draft

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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.