Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-02-20

ders, as Spain failed, as Mexico failed, disgrace
will be added to disaster. 1t we succeed, stand
ing army numbering a hundred thousand will be
scantily sufficient to repress mutiny and preserve
order among what may remain of ten millions of
men, forced to form part of Government which
they will detest. In either case what fearful
sufierings shall we have causedl What terrible
passions, what deadly enmities shall we have
awakened.--passiOns, enmities, to endure while
ages pass; to descend, blight and curse from
generation to generation.
This is the inevitable course of things, If First,
we reject an efficient Compromise; Second, refuse
to acknowledge the independence of the Fifteen
Confederated Slave States; and Third, enforce
that refusal by resort to arms.
| But if, when our refusal to compromise shall
have united in one Confederacy these fifteen
States, we do recognize them rs foreign nation,
then it will be, by the law of nations cause of war;
not only If we invade any portion of the territory
OF that foreign nation, but if we seek 70 compel it
to pay tribute, under the name ofduties on foreign
impOrtatons; the same cause of war which we
should have, if a Southern fleet bockading Bos-
ton harbOr, were 10 compel the payment OF a tax
on tea on any other imported article.
To decide, then, that we will enforce the col
lection of duties from the United South, is to de
eide that the Southern States shall constitute not
only foreign, but an enemy's country. 1t is to
decide, that they shall proclaim war against us
As to our Southern forts. So long as our
brave troops are to be doomed to occupy any of
them, the duty devOlves on the Government
which SO exposes its defenders, to sustain,-if
necessary, to reinforce them That Government
which should abandon the gallant Anderson and
his little band to their fate, would deserve the
worst evil that may befal it, 1t there be per-
manent separation between thS North and South,
the final disposition to be made of all the United
States property will be matter of negotiation
Thus, then. a failure to compromise produces
a united South, asserted itself as a foreign ma
ton. We must assent TO that assertion, or we
must reject it. Ii we assent and yet attempt to
collect duties at Southern ports, we give cause
for war Ii we reject it, and follow up our re-
lection, we declare war
Coercion, then, let it assume what shape it will,
is, first disunion, then war. Coercion, commenced,
creates, beyond the Ohio, foreign naton coer-
ciOn. continued, makes the inhabitants beyond
that river enemies as well as foreigners.
Fellow citizens of Indiana, You were told,
two days since, by one who will soon be the
Chief Magistrate or our country, that the preser
vati0n of the Union was your business You
were expressly told that il was not the business
or Presidents, or politicians, ofce>eekers, but
yours. You were bid to rise up and preserve that
Union.
Never was reminder more in place. Never was
injunction more needed On YOU, on your chill
dren, on your descendants for ages to come will
fall the suffering If, by the action of President:
and politicians and ofice-seekers you are hurried
so far on the road of violence that there is re
turn save over the fields of civil warfare, DYED
with brothers blood. On you, then thus threat
ened with evil, devolves the task of laboring L
: avert it.
Up and be doing, ere it be too latel Yours i
the power. There are constitutional mean
enough through which to make known you
l wishes to those who, if you but speak in number
E sufficient, must regard them. Speak, then. Ne
r morialize. If you believe that in the Christian
spirit of Cancellation is only safety, say sol
t. you believe, that by compromise only can thi
Confederacy be held together, declare it, Yo
have been called ON by one in authority to act 70
e yourselves. Answer the call.
S For myself, while the sword remains undrawr
while kindred blood remains unshed, never shal
: | despair of the Republic. While there is PEACl
r there is hope for PEACE is the life of the Unior