GoNY especially got me thinking about the issue of conscription more seriously as a political issue.

The war, based on what I've read, was supposed to be about freeing the slaves. But conscription itself is a form of enslavement, which defeats the entire purpose. All that death and destruction in the name of freeing the slaves while enslaving people in the process? I'm not sure this fact should be overlooked.

And considering that they also printed a lot of money during the time, increased taxes, created a new class division where if you paid a certain amount you can avoid being drafted, I think lessons can be learnt from this by people advocating for radical social changes and reforms.

I wonder if there was a better way. That's the question. I agree with the fact that slavery is illegal no matter what the legislated or custom-derived law says. But if the means pursued contradict the ends, then the whole movement opens itself up to scrutiny, and might end up causing problems down the line.