Weekly Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1853-1861, 1855-08-02

phalanX, and give eIncacy anu euSCt 70 INC
SEA tiHlelltS and convictions OF our hearts"
These might be regarded as an empty gas
/ conade, or the more harmless threatemngs OF
lunacy; but let us not deceive ourselves
These threats come not only in form, butthey
are sustained by the solemn sanctions of
many of the States Of this Union. One after
another most, if not ali, of the Non-Slaye-
holding States, have, in some form or other,
given their sanction to, and approval of, this
crusade against Slavery. Most if not all of
the Free States, | repeat, have given aid and
comfort to this infamous movement. Some,
by the election of Abolition Senators; some,
by resolutions denunciatOry of Southern insti-
tutionS; some, by declared purpose to abro-
gate laws pissed for the protection of South
em property, in conformity with the express
requirements Of the Constitution; some, by an
open and shameless notification of laws
passed by Congress-; some, by an invasion of
the sanctuary of the Judiciary. Thus, in
some form or other, most of the Free States
have recorded their hostility to US, and joined
these conspirators and traitors against the
Constitution and our sacred rights.
In a crisis like this, what does patriotism
and self-preservation suggest to the people OF
Tennessee, and the entire South? An aban-
donment of petty hostilities, burying of an
cient feuds and prejudices, and union of all
for the sake of the Union-a union of the
4 South for the safety Of the South-a union
Of all hearts and hands for the protection OF
our rights, the maintenance of our honor, and
the preservation of the Constitution, and the
Union as it exists, under the Constitution
These are the high considerations to which
would invite you, aud which seem to me to
merit the respect and attention of every pa
triot
For the expression of these opinions /
know subject myself to the imputation OF
being called an Alarmist-an Agitator-a
Sectionalist. Be it so. If to warn my coun-
trymen Of an impending danger constitutes
an alarmist | am one; if to denounce the
schemes and purposes of a band of traitors
and conspirators, as Infamous as ever disgrac-
ed any age of the world, makes an agitator,
| am one; if to maintain the rights Of Ten
neSsee, as guaranteed by the Constitution,
and resistance of this horde of vandals, makes
a sectionaliSt, am one The danger that
threatens us is, to my mind, so manifest, that
feel | should be guilty Of moral treason if
did not raise my warning voice. 1t may
probably will-be disregarded; be it Sony
skirts are clear.
To such as may be ready to denounce me
as an agitatOr-one seeking to foster sectional
jealousies and prejudices-an enemy TO the
quiet repose of the country-to such an one,
l would propose one simple and solemn ques-
ton: In the present attitude of things, i'm
the present organizations of parties with their
discords and dissensions, are zoe not Ekely to
see an open, aUolCed and SlCorn enemy of oar in
4,
election? | ask is not such result possible
even probable? In my Judgment, such re-
silt IS not only probable, but unless something
should occur not non seen, think 1t a matter Of
fearful certainty. In the present state of party
excitement and party hostilites, is it not GER
tain that we shall have three, it may be four,
candidates in the field for Presidency. No
one doubts that the Democratic party will
have its candidate. 1t is equally certain that
the American party will have theirs; and it
IS doubly certain that the Abolitionists will
have theirs. To these may possibly be added
a Wing candidate. That there will be three
j candidates, as things now stand, is absolutely
certain. Ii so, what will be the inevitable
result? Can an election be made by the peo-
pie? So to suppose is to betray a wantOn ig-
norance of the strength of parties, and the
means and appliances that will be brought
into requsition by each, to secure its triumph
With three candidates in the field, hold il
to be self-evident that no election can be
made by the hple. If not, &C course it will
devolve on the'House of Representatives tc
make President; and what follows? Does
not every informed man kIaoao that a majo1lta
of the nert House is decidedly Anti- SzaUery-o
majority Of them the SWORN and deaolg enemies
Of Slavery. With the election in their hands
to doubt the result is to doubt our Senses
When this shall happen, then our folly and
infatuation will be as palpable as it will be
culpable and fatal
Ifthere be anything in these suggestions
and think there is-what is the momentum.
question that addresses itself to every patriot
; every lover of his country. That question is
or ought to be, what can be done to avert {
, catastrophe so fearful--so fatal to all the hal
lowed memories Of the past, and all the brigh
anticipations of the future This is ques
: ton of fearful magnitude, and would tina
some one was endowed with that wisdom OF
: prophetic ken that would enable them t.
sneak with certainty, and whose voice woull
! be heard and respected. But there are non,
such, and we are left to reason, unaided b.
inspiration, TO comprehend the danger an,
apply the remedy. You will pardon tn
boldnesS OF one so humble as myself 70
I offering suggestion q do not presume to adj
wise, merely suggesD which, in his judg
| ment, offers the only sure and certain escap
= from such a calamity. 1t is the earnest con
: viction of my judgment that the danger i
. imminent, and the remedy one, and only on,
A union of sound national, conservative
: constitutional men, of all parties, Ill creed
y and all demonstrating upon the Constitu
IS ton, with Its Observation-Disclosures tn
II rights of each and all of the States, as guar
: anteed by the onstitution-furnishes safe
) certain escape. | believe there are conserva
Y tive men enough in the Union to preserve il
if they can be brought to unite and co-ope
rate together for that purpose. Can such
: union of the good and patriot IN parte
h be effected? That as 1te queslf fy conf
q dence in the justice, honor ana lp3triotsm c
! the American people will not allow me t
! doubt. Is there not virtue and patriotism
r enough in the American people to save the
II country from disunion and all the evils am
d horrors that may flow from it? May not me
be OF all PARTIES all creeds and all sections fo
5: bear for a season. May they not forego f
s a Gay the indulgence of their prediction
4 and party advancements2 May not the VIII
m and the Democrat forget for day their love
es and stand together for the Constitution an
mr. the country? May not the man of the Mort
the South, the East and the West forget h
Z locality, and remember his country, and b
n country only? To doubt, then, is to dou
Sc our virtue, our patriotism and our nationalit.
$ yea, it is to doubt mans capacity for sci
S. government. 1 ask no man to surrender h
10 principles or his opinions on all minor matter
at let US agree to disagree; let us stand togeth
ne until this issue is settled-unti our rights a
ri accorded to us, and the Union saved.
l. /, as you know, have ever been a Wing
Mt am still one, and, so far as the recognition
Fir the correctness of principles go, | expect
b. live and die one; but the principles and pol
he cy of this or all parties weigh but little wi
me when put IN the scale against the prese
Of 81 49,, Il.