Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-05-08

w EMIL NEN | L N LII.
WEnNESDAY.......... 8, 1861
sThs Conference OF the GOvsrnOrs.''
The Journal, with characteristic meanness.
ssks to psrvsrt the position Of the Sentinel upon
very occasion when il can possibly do so. In
sssrsnce to the conference Of the Governors our
smmsnts were based upon the correspondence
,etween them as furnished by Governor MORTON
HIMSELF What was the first proposition of Gov
srnor MAsoTFINf Here il is-the first telegram
'eceved from Governor AAseyFn by Governor
AoErOs. April IS. 1861:
LouIsvILLK-WilI you cooperate with me in
proposition 20 the Government at Washington,
OF peace by the Border States, as mediators be
~een the contending pArtiesf
To this Governor AoRrox responded:
INDIAxAPoLIs--I will unite in any effort for
ne restoration Of the Union, and peace, which
hall be constitutional and honorable TO Indiana
nd she Federal Government.
A conference Of the Governors Of Ohio. Ind-
na and Kentucky at Cincinnati, was agreed up
n; the two former filled the appointment and the
after failed to appear in person, but sent depu
'. Col. T. L. CRIrrESDKs. No reason is given
DC the absence Of Governor MAGosFIS, and we
ondemn as heartily and as fully as any one can
"a lack of courtesy and respect shown by him
ossrl the Governors Of Ohio and Indiana in
Ailing to attend in person the conference pro-
l0sed by himself. There is no apology in the
-lse. But TO thspOint. Governor MORTON knew
he object Of the proposed conference before he
vent to Cincinnsti-"a proposition to the Gov
rnmsns at Washington for peace by the border
Ssstes. as mediatOrs between the contending par
s." What the proposition of Governor Ma
soSSIs through bis deputy, The cooperation of
he Governors Of Indiana and Ohio Gin an effort
o oring about truce between the General Gov
,rsinsnt and the seeded States until the meeting
T Congress in extraordinary session, in the hope
hat the action Of that body may point out
hs way to peaceful solution Of our national
Soubles."
What is the response Of Governor MORTON to
his propositions Il do not recognize the right
+ any Statsto act asa mediator between the Fed
.ral Government and rebellious State" Now,
Fe do not blame Governor MORTON for his posi-
ion thus expressed, but is il not little singular
hat it took him from April 25th to May lst to
ONE to the conclusion expressed abovef The
irst proposition Of Governor MAGoFYIs to Cover
nor AoRros was that the "border States should
lct as mediators between the contending parties"
II Governor MoRroS entertained the opinion that
10 State had the right to act as mediator be-
sseen the Federal Government and a rebellious
State, such should have been his prompt response
o the first telegram from Governor MAGopFIS
That would have been manly and dignifed. But
Governor MoRTos, believing that no State has the
tight to act as a mediator between the contend
ng parties, accepts an invitation to attend a
conference having that object in view. What
business had Governor MORTON attending such
,onferencef What right had he to involve the
honor Of the State BY his presence even at con-
srence to consider proposition which he says
Indiana has no right to entertaini We do not
object to Governor AoRroS's announcing the po-
itions and sentiments contained in his final reply
o Governor AAGoYTIs, dated May lst, but we
10 say, and so viii every honest man, that il he
entertained such views he should have so replied
the first overture of Governor MAoogFIx He
not having done so, and having consented to meet
he Governor Of Kentucky to consider PROPOSE
ion of peace to the Government at Washington
oy the Border States, as mediators bet,Deen
he sonfeRding parties, intelligent person
an come TO any other conclusion than
70 either acted in bad faith toward the Gov
srnor of Kentucky. or else his final response to
Jim was an afser thought. II it was not an after
bought, what excuse can he offer for attending
conference TO consider proposition that the
State had no right to entertain and thus involving
- honor and duty toward the General Govern
nent, when the latter is using its whole power to
rush out rebellion in at least nine States of the
Jnionf In saying this much we will not ques-
ION the patriotism of Governor MoRroS, although
he Journal, in its issue of yesterday says
There can be mediation that is not treason -
md he left here TO attend conference Mt Cincin-
All, requested for the purpose Of uniting the
3order States as medistors between the contend
* parties.