Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1852-01-29

men parties. The democrats proposed to make a
local law of it and conne its provisions the county OF
Wayne and then that Senator backed water and voted
against his own bill Mr.. Hanna then proceeded at
some length to review the circumstances preceding and
attending the annexation of Texas and to defend the
policy OF the democratic party in relation to that mea
Mr.. Secrest said he thought good could result from
the discussion Of those facts which had become matters
oil history From the IN which this discussion
had been conducted it that the parties were
deavong to find matter Of cproach against each other
rather than to search for the truth He did not wish to
discuss any matters reatrg the annexation OF Texas
or the Mexican War. They were matters oil history,
and our people ell well acquainted with them
He for the purpose Of replying some remarks
made by the Senator from Wayne, in relation to dis
tinguished citizen of this State, not member of the
Senate and who had no right and opportunity TO de-
fend himself in this Senate against the charges of the
Senator (Here Mr.. Holloway interrupted Mr. 5. anG
asked him if he had mentioned any absent persons
this discussion until the President Of the Senate had
denounced Mr.. Thomas Corwin.) Mr. Secrest said be
had nothing to do with that If the President o the
Senate did wrong, it was defence OF Mr. Holoway's
want OF courtesy. The President of the Senate was
able TO defend himself Mr. s. said that the Senator
from Wayne had introduced the charge against Mr..
Owen with pledge OF his life and honor TO its truth.
The hot hase and vindctive manner in which he had
introduced this charge, displayed bitterness OF feeling
which would nvsIdate his testimony any court OF
tce in the United States and his pledge Of life and honor
should not be regarded by the Senate. the Senator
was evidently too much excited to act with discretion
WI D. sdlu the senator from wayne Ddu NanlODly iDlS-
represented and garbled the position and language of
Mr.. Owen. The discussion in which Mr.. Owen was
engaged when he uttered the language which the Sena
tor from Wayne pretended to quote this morning. did
not involve the truth alsy OF the Scriptures the
justice OF The discussion was had some twenty
years ago, and whether people had the right
cordng to the laws Of God to make orcibc resistance
tn the oppression and tyranny of despotIc government
Mr.. Owen took the Affirmative and his argument was,
that the text in Romans beginning q Let every soul
subject to the higher powers, for there Is no power
but OF God. the powers that be OF God &c, and
ending Whosoever therefore resisteth the power,
ssteh the ordinance of God, and they that resist shall
receive TO themselves damnaton, is receive literal
construction part Of the word of God, then the d.
rect inference ls that all who have resisted legal
authority, engaged in Revolutions, Washington,
Jefferson, Franklin, and Others now, in the words
oi the text receiving 10 themselves damnaton" And
for that reason, it would lead tc absurdity, Mr.
Owen contended that if such construction was given
to 1t. il could not be the word of God. Mr. Secrest
said If that text be construed to that downtrod
against THEFT oppressors, and hur them from power he
too, would dlsbelieve it He believed the Bible
publican in all its teachings from beginning end and
that was In letter and spirit death to tyrans and y
ranny, and no such construction that Mr.. Owen op
posed could be placed upon any part Of the Scriptures
Mr.. Secrest said that the Senator from Wayne was
not lighting man-hc opposed to all wars and the
hresidc was the place where and the pOkng the
weapon with which he did battle. Let a Negro or a
Mexican, anybody else but citizen of Indiana be
the subject OF animadverson, and Mr.. Holloway's SYM
patneS WOULD guSh out towards them ike streams O
living water but he (Mr. Holloway could go OF
his way to attack in most violent and malignant
ner, and with all the pothouse ephets at his command
of the Purest and nobcst citizens of Indianar He
Mr. So had had the honor of Mr. Owens acquaintance
Tor years, and kn~ that his moral character
beyond reproach and well worthy the imitation OF many
of his assaiants His opinions twenty-five thirty
years ago were not orthodox all things, and Mr.. s.
did not know that they orthodox now but his heart
was right, and there was morally purer in In
diana, and he (Mr. S. proud OF his acquaintance
and friendship He had not arisen to make q Speech
but merely to vindcate Mr.. Owen from the rancorous
assault made upon him by Mr.. Holloway, and would
not have done that had Mr. Owen been in the position
defend himself. Mr. Owen amply able to vndicatc
himself, and would do it if the Senator from Wayne
would attack him anywhere else He had repeatedly
done it before the people Of his Congressional dis
trct TO the entire satisfaction of all who gov
erned by blind prejudice and he looked forward to the
day when Mr.. Owen would be Of ncalculabe benefit to
Indiana. Mr.. S. said he going into a discussion
OF the Mexican War. That war had been discussed be-
fore the people Of the whole country and fully approved
by them, and the opponents of that might well
charge upon the fortress Of Gibraer with pocket ps
tol. as attempt TO change that decision.
Mr. Dougherty took the floor and proceeded to speak
in defence of the Mexican War; but gave way for a
motion to adjourn, and
The Senate adjourned.