Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-01-23


treated as such. While the right to prosecute war
for the purpose of reducing the revolted provinces
to obedience still remained, vet it was a military
remedy, and could only be exercised according to
the established principles of war.
1t is said that, after of the earliest engage
ments, the British General threatened TO execute
as traitors all the prisoners he had taken in bat
tie; and that General Washington replied that he,
too, had taken some prisoners, and shond shoot
two for one until the British General should re-
spec; the laws of war; and treat his prisoners ac-
cordingly. MAY divine Providence, in His inf
mite wisdom ana mercy, save our country from
the humiliation and ealamities which now seem
almost inevitable. South Carolina has already
declared her independence of the United States
has expelled the Federal authorities from her
limits, and established a Government de facto
with military force to sustain it. The reyolu-
ton is complete, there being no man within her
limits who denies the authority of her govern
ment or acknowledges allegiance TO that of the
United States. There is every reason to believe
that seven other States will soon follow her ex-
ample; and much ground TO apprehend that the
other slaveholding States will follow them.
How are we going to prevent an alliance be-
tween these seeding States by which they may
establish Federal Government, at least de fdctO,
for themselves? If they shall do so, and expel
the authorities of the United States from their
limits as South Carolina has done, and Others are
about to DO, 50 that there shall be no human being
within their boundaries who acknowledges allegi-
ance to the United States, how are we going to
enforce the laws? Armies and navies can make
war, but can not enforce laws in this country.
The laws can be enforced only by the civil authOri-
ties, assisted by the military as posse cOmitatus,
when resisted in executing judicial process. Who
is to issue the judicial process in State where
there is no Judge, no court, no judicial func-
tionary? Who is to perform the duties of Marshal
i'll executing the process where no man will or
dare accept office? Who are to serve on iuries
while every citizen is particeps criRiniS with the
accusedy How are you going to comply with the
Constitution in respect to jury trial, where there
are no men qualified to serve on the juryg |
agree that the laws should be enforced. hold
that our Government is clothed with the power
and duty of using all the means necessary to the
enforcement of the laws. according to the COnsti-
tuition and lars The President is sworn to the
faithful performance OF this duty. do not pro-
pose to inquire at this time, how far, and with
what fidelity, the President has performed that
duty. His conduct and duty in this regard, in
cluding acts OF commission and omission, while
the rebellion was in its ncipient stages and when
confined TO few individuals present very diff
ferent question from that which we are now dis
cussing-after the revolution has become com
plete, and the Federal authorities have been cx-
PEELED, and the Governments de tdcto put into
practical operation, and in the unrestrained and
unresisted exercise of all the powers and functions
of Government, local and national.
But we are told that secession is wrong, and
that South Carolina had no right TO secede. |
agree that il is wrong. unlawful, unconstitutional,
criminal In INV opinion, South Carolina had no
right to secede; but she has done it. She has de-
clared her independence of US effaced the last
tige of our civil authorities, established foreign
| Government, and is now engaged in the prelimin-
ary steps to open diplomatic intercourse with the
Great Powers of the world What next! Iii her
act was illegal, unconstitutional and wrong, have
4 we no remedy? Unquestionably we have the
right to use all the power and force necessary to
regain possession of that portion of the United
States, in order that may again enforce ouI
Constitution and laws upon the inhabitants. We
can enforce our laws in those States, Territories
and places only which are within our possession
1t often happens that the territorial rights of 7
country extend beyond the limits of their actual
possessions That is our case at present in re-
spect to South Carolina. Our right ofjurisdictior
over that State for Federal purposes, according &c
the Constitution, has not been destroyed or i'm
paired by the ordinance of secession, or any act o.
the convention, or of the de facto government
The righ. remains; but the possession is lost, fol-
the time being Chow shall we regain the posses
son?'' is the principal inquiry 1t may be done
by arms, or by a peaceabie adjustment of The
matters in controversy.
Are ioe prepared for lrar7 do not mean tha
kind of preparation which consists of armies anC
navies, and supplies, and munitions OF war; bu
are we prepared IN OUR HEARTS for war with ouI
own brethren and kindredI | confess l am not
While | affirm that the Constitution is, and was
intended to be, bond OF perpetual Union; while
L can do no act and utter no word that will ac
knowledge or coutenance the right of secession
while | affirm the right and duty of the Fedora
Government to use all legitimate means to enforc,
the laws, put down rebellion, and suppress in
surrection, viii not me ltate war, and tolerat,
the idea, until every effort at peaceful adustmen
shall have been exhausted and the last ray o
hope shall have deserted the patriots heart. TheI
and not till then,wi / consider and determine
what course my duty 70 my country may requir'
me to persue in such an emergency In my opin
ion, war is disunon certain, inevitable, iTrevoca
ble | am for peace to save the Union.
l have said that i can not recognize nor coun
tenance the right of secession. Illinois, stuatet
in the interior of the continent, can never ac
knowledge the right of the States bordering OF
the seas to withdraw from the Union at pleasure
and form alliances among themselves and witt
other countries, by which shall be excludes
from all access to the ocean, from all intercours
and commerce with foreign nations. We cal
never consent TO be shut up within the circle of
Chinese wall, erected and controlled by other
without our permission; or TO any other system o
isolation by which we shall be deprived of an
communication with the rest of the civilize
world Those States which are situated in tn
interior of the continent can never assent TO an
such doctrine Our rights, our interests, on
safetv our existence as a free people, forbid i
{ The Northwestern States were ceded to tn
United States before the Constitution was made
! on condition of perpetual union with the othe
States. The Territories were organized, settler
! ! invited, lands purchased, and homes made, on IN
pledge of your plightei faith of perpetual union
When there were but two hundred thousand in
habitants scattered over that vast region, the
gation ofthe Mississippi was deemed by Mr.. Je
ferson so important and essential TO their interest
and prosperity that he did not hesitate to declai
; that if Span or France insisted upon re.ainin
possession of the mouth of the river, il would b,
e come the duty of the United States 10 take IL b
, arms If they failed to acquire il by treaty. If t
the possession of the river, with jurisdiction ovC
j its mouth apd channel, was indispensable to th
e people of the North west when we had two huI
drei thousand inhabitants, is il reasonable to SUI
d pose that we will voluntarily surrender it no
e when We have ten million people? Louisian
{ was not purchased for the exclusive benefit of ii
r few Spanish and French residents in the Territor
b nor for those who might become residents. The
J. considerations did not enter into the negotiation
e and formed no inducement TO the acquisition
: ure, for the common benefit of the whole Unio
/ in general. and for the safety, convenience an
It prosperity of the Northwest in particular. W
# paid Sl5 900 900 for the Territory. We have e,
: pended much more than that sum in the extiI
| guishment of Indian titles, the removal of II
t, dians the survey oflands the erection of custom
o houses, lighthouses forts and arsenals. We az
i mitted the inhabitants into the Union on an equ
/ footing with ourselves. Now we are called upo
J. to acknowledge the moral and constitutional rg
st of those people to dissolve the Union without Il
e consent of the other States; to seize the forts,
l. seaals, and other public PROPERTY, and appropria
IS them to their own use; TO take possession of Il
;, Mississippi river and exercise jurisdiction q
d the same, and 10 reanuex herself to France or r
main an independent nation, or to form allianc
ii with such other foreign powers, as she, in Il
} plentitude of her sovereign will and pleasure, ms
l. see fit. If this thing is to be done-peaceably,
d YOU can; and forcibly, il you must-lll i propo
le to say at this time is, that you can not expect
Dt of the North west TO yield assent to it, nor
s. acknowledge your right to do it, or the propric
a. and justice of the act
( The respectful attention with which my frier
1T from Florida Mr.. Yulee] is listening to me, r