Randolph County journal. [volume] (Winchester, Randolph County, Ind.) 1855-1862, 1861-05-02
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
Gentlemen of ,hs Senate and House Of Repre-.

cumstanccs of the most grave and important
character. Our country Is placed in 4 condition
hitherto unknown in her history, and one which
all patriots and lovers Of liberty throughout th,
world had icndly. hoped would never occure
Civil war, which has ever been the bane of Re
publics; has been inaugura,ed by certain rebel
Gus, States. which, unmindful of their constitu
tionai obligations, and regarding not our com
mon history blood interests and institutions, ar
seeking to dishonor the Nation and overthrow
the Federal Government, so wisely, and, "a ".
hoped, permanently established by our fathers
The origin of this most wicked rebellion date
back more than thirty years. Ii is well know
that distinguished Southern statesmen, as earl
as 1870, cherished the dream of vas
Southern slayeholding Confederacy, compfe
hcnding the conquest of Cuba, Mexico an,
Central America. The determination was theI
formed to break our Republic into peices By an,
available pretext. The first one seized upon b,
South Carolina was the Tariff question, and had
not the Nation had for Executor man great,
distinguished for patriotism courage and decision
of character, widcspreading and disastrous con
sequences might have followed. By prompt
and energetic action the rebellion was crushed
out for the the time, to be revived as subsequent
events hTc shown, with new features and in
another form.
The election of a President of the United
States of the Confedoracy, is boldly published
to the world asjust cause for the dissolution OF
the Union, and bringing il necessary sfor that
purpose all the horrors of 4 bloody revolution.
1t would be an insult to your intelligence to ar
que that the admission of this pretensc as 4
justification would be clearly fatal to all Repub
lican Government; that popular institutions can
only be sustained by submission to the will of the
people as expressed through the forms of the
Constitution, trusting to the peaceful remedy of
ballot box for the redress of grievances. And
the wickedncss of this pretencc is greatly az
gravated by the reflections that il is utterly hy-
pocritical, that twas only put forward in furth-
erance of schemes entertained for wears and sup
ported by notoriously false assumptions of fact
and logic When we read the history of the
late Democratic COnv ention at Charleston BY th,
light of subsequent events, can we fail TO see
that the scheme ofseccssioIs and dismemberment
OF the Union one ofthe steps towards its con
summation. Ii confirmation of this opinion were
needed. it will be found in the fact that certain
traitorouS members OF Mr.. Buchanan's cabinet
were Systematically engaged for many months
before the late Presidential election, in placing
tie arms ana defences of the nation in pos
tion to be readily seized by the Seeding States.
Secession was at first argued rs right spring
ing from the Constitution itself. bat as the
movement gained strength. the hinsy pretcxt
vas abandoned, and ceased 10 be subject os
discussion. and what in an hour of weakness was
c..!.inea b feeble argument, .s .,o@ bolll, is
serted by military power.
The North, conscious Of her strength, ail the
rectitulc Of her intentions, has hitherto remain
ed quiet liking no preparation whatever for
conflict of arms. Her fcrbearance has been con.
strued into cowardcc, ani her efforts TO keep
the peace have but prvokcd increased insoence
and aggression The secession moyemet has
from its beginning been an act Of war. Oriin-
ances Of secession have been Immediately follow
ed and sometimes preceded blythe violent seizure
and plumber of National property and the forci-
bic expulsion of the agents and officers of the
Federal Government, From the very first, and
at every step in its progress, it has been dsti.-
guishcd by acts of hostility and outrage, alike
injurious to the Nation and insulting to the peo-
pie of the loyal States.
The secessionists were profoundly con, inced
that the cooperation of the border slave States
could not be procured without a conflict of arms
between them and the Fedeaal Government.
From the very first, and every step in its progress
it has been distinguished by acts of hostility and
alike iajuriour to the Nation and in
sulting to the people of the loyal States.
The secessionists profoundly convinced
that the co. operation of the border slave States
could not be procured without a conflict of arms
between them and the Federal Government and
hence have labored assiduously to place the
Gover'en in such position that a collision could
not be avoided except by the most abject sub
mission and humiliation The intention to
force conflict has been most apparent, and de
lay WAS suffered only that they might complete
heir preparations. and when at last their prep
arations were complete. wearied by the long for
bearancc of the government, they inaugurated
hostilties by assaulting and reducing TT. Sumter
The place where Fort Sumter 10 situated had
been regularly ceded by the State of South Car
oina to the Federal Government. and by an ex-
press provision OF the Constitution was under the
exclusive jurisdiction of the United States. 1t
was unfinished and held bv garrison of less than
one hundred men, and white in this condition
was invested by large army: cutting OF all ap
proach 70 it by zea or land. The stock Of proyi
visions was almost exhausted, and the immediate
prospect was presented ia the feeble garrison Of
starvation, OF yielding Up into the hands Of an
armed and arowed enemy 4 fortress Of the United
STATES. At this junctnre the Federal Govern
n'ent, which waited long, perhaps too long, de
-lared It's determination TO send provisions 10
the feeble garrison. Before this attempt could
De made, and before a single sail of the feet was
seen off the harbor, powerful cannonade was
opened upon Sumter, WHICH resulted in its de-
struction and surrendar.
Every day brings MS intelligence Of new oat
RACES and assaults. Throughout the rebellious
States is heard the note Of preparation for an ex
tensive and aggressive campaign. The National
Capital is menaccd. and every avenue of approach
FOR Federal troops and provision is attempted TO
be cut of, The free navigation cf the Mississip
pi River. the great artery of commerce of the
Northwest, is ob>tructed, and the ursurIing GOV
ernment of the rebellious States has issued a
inviting the freebooters OF all the
world to prey upon National commerce
We have passed from tic field Of argument