Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-04-10
Have we a government.

Mr.. DOUGLAS, in his speech on the state of the
Union in the Senate, on the 18th of March, made
an eloquent and appropriate response to the ques
ton propounded by the Republicans-"Have we
a Government" We quote that portion of his
remarks, and also his view of the duty of the
North in the present crisis as well adapted to the
present state of public affairs. Mr.. DOUGLAS
said
But we are told, and we hear it repeated every
where, that we must fnd out whether we have got
a Government. Have we a Government" is
the question; and we are told we must test that
question by using the military power to put down
all disconnected spirits. Sir, this question, "have
we Government has been propounded by
every tyrant who has tried to keep his feet on the
necks of the people since the world began When
the Barons demanded Magma Charta from King
John at Runnymede, he exclaimed, "have we a
government and called for his army to put
down the discontinued barons. When Charles l.
attempted to collect the ship money in violation
of the Constitution of England, and in disregard
of the rights of the people, and was resisted by
them, he exclaimed, "have we government?
We can not treat with rebels; put down the trait
ors; we must show that we have a government -
When James III. was driven from the throne of
England for trampling the liberties of the peo-
ole. he called for his army, and exclaimed, "let
show that have government" When
George Ill. called upon his army TO put down the
rebellion in America, Lord North cried Justify,
'no compromise with traitors: let us demonstrate
that we have a government" When, i'm 1918,
the people rose upon their tyrant, all over Europe
and demanded guarantees for their rights, every
crowned head exclaimed, "have we n govern
ment?" and appealed to the army to vindicate
their authority and to enforce the law
Sir, the history of the world does not fail to
condemn the folly, weakness and wckedness of
that Government which drew its sword upon its
own people when they demanded guarantees for
their rights. This cry, that we must have Gov
eminent, is merely following the example of the
besotted Bourbon, who never learned anything by
misfortune, never forgave an injury, never forgot
an affront. Must we demonstrate that we have
got Government, and coerce obedience without
reference to the justice or injustice of the COM
plants? Sir, whenever ten million people pro-
claim TO you, with one unanimous voice that they
apprehend their rights, their 6re-sides, and their
family affairs are in danger it becomes wise Gov
eminent to listen to the appeal, and to remove the
apprehension. History does not record an ex
ample where any human government has been
strong enough to crush ten million people into
subsection when they believed their rights and
liberties imperiled, without first converting
the Government itself into despotism, and de-
stroying the last vestige of freedom.
| The people of the South believe they are in
danger They believe that you mediate an in
vason of their constitutional rights. They be
leve that you intend to stir up servile insurrec-
ton and stimulate their slaves to cut the throats
of their masters, and their wives and children.
Believing this, they will act upon that belief, I'M
less you will remove all cause of apprehension.
If this apprehension be il-founded, if there is no
cause for it. you are bound to remove it. lift be
well founded, you have no right to refuse to re-
dress their grievances.
| Then, in either event, it is our duty to adopt
such amendments to the Constitution as will in