Westville Indiana Feby 5 /64

Dear Sir:
	   You will please accept my thanks
for your remarks upon the commutation
clause of the conscription bill_
I suppose the patriotic part of those
who anxious to screen copperheads from the
draft, suppose we can make convert, enough
from their ranks to compensate for the
drain upon our loyal voters_ if so they
are reckoning without their host_ the
accursed hounds are wedded to their idols_
every Union man that enters the army gives
additional impetus to their efforts to sieze
the Government_ If things go on as they have
the pimps of Jeff Davis take Indiana at the
next election_  Is there fear of bloodshed by
the enforcement of the draft? better have it
then, than in an effort by a loyal army's
returning to oust traitors from legislative halls¬_

In the latter contingency they would have
the advantage of legal forms, while we would
have it in the former_ Father Abraham
perhaps sees further into the mill stone than
I do, and may see beneficial results from
getting northern traitors_ but my humble
opinion is that like thistles they should
be grasped with vigor if we would avoid
their sting¬_
	This township has this winter & fall
furnished 40 recruits_ two of that number being
copperheads_ the township is divided into two
election precincts, and the enrolment was
made separate and by different men for the
two precincts _  From the precinct in which
I live there is scarce an Union man left, not
one that I know fit for the service_ and yet
but one copperhead has volunteered_ at the folly
the traitors outvote us three to one, and have
so completely cowed the republicans, that they
slip to the polls quietly and away, not opening
their mouths _ and were it not for three or

four old democrats, who defy them_ they
would have it all their own way_ why at the
last election they tried to drive off your old
friend George Crawford who was Inspector
because he was a republican_
Now why not bring the draft to the
precinct when the enrolment has been
so made_ it was so made in this case
and so returned to Washington, but by
orders emanating from that place was
consolidated_ but there can be no diffi=
-culty in restoring the enrolment to it's
first condition_ Let it be done if there
is to be a draft & I can find women who
will enforce it in their precinct without
putting the Marshall to any trouble_
		Truly Yours
			Ch W Cathcart

Hon H S Lane
		U.S.S.

C W Cathcart