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