Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-05-08
QoGtltal.
sustain the Constituted Authoritie..

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Sustain the Constituted Authorities.
The tone of a portion of the press of this city
is well fitted 20 excite alarm. Hitherto we have
been generally law abiding people, and, with
some slight exceptions, have recognized the legal
and constituted authorities as the medium through
which the public affairs to be administered.
Complaints have sometimes been made that op
preston has been exercised through that medium,
but until the present moment bold threats of rev.
olution have scarcely ever been heard among us.
There is al this time, if we may judge from the
tone of portion of the press which supported Mr.
Lincoln in the late Presidential election, and
which has until lately sustained his policy, ten
dency, if not a concerted purpose, to 'supersede"
the President in his official functions. anu to place
'ssome representative leader at the head of
military force which shall enable him to exercise
the power Of a dictator.
The complaint is, that Mr. Lincoln's admins
tration is dilatOry and inefficient; that his Minis
tiers "parley with traitors" instead of arresting
them, sweeping them into the ocean. He is
censured by the presses alluded to, for not con-
centrating force at Washington with greater
promptness; in short, for not being prepared, on
weeks notice, for an attack which some of the
same papers have told US the South would not
dare to make, and whsh, until very recently, has
been deemed by the Administration and its friends,
highly improbable, if not impossible. 1t is now
twelve DAYS since the President issued his procla
nation for troops; and without any of the facii
ties for concentrating them at given point which
are always at hand when a war has been fairly
entered upon, it is complained that by a failure to
be Rolc prepared for the dangers which threaten
the national Capital he has proved himself in
competent and unfit for his position. In some
cases doubt is thrown upon his patriotism and
fidelity to the Union.
Ia f,rf fbo ola Of
Lincoln to the Presidency But We never ques-
toned his patriotism, integrity, and sterling good
sense. We see no reason to change our opinion
in any of these particulars Still less do we see
any just ground for the denunciations which are
leveled against him by portion of the Republi-
can press. Only a brief time has elapsed since
either he or -hey became aware of the actual
state of the eo1ntry-since the dreadful fact broke
upon them that either the Union must be sun
dered or a civil war; and perhaps, also, deSpot-
ism, succeed to the freedom and prosperity which
we have heretofore enjoyed. We have abOred
to prepare the public mind for this fearful alter
native. but with Indifferent success Nor should
it be forgotten that in his present trying position,
the President has the advice and aid of the first
military nan in this country, perhaps in the
world. We oo not presume to set up our judg
ment in military affairs over that of Lieutenant
General Scott, the President, the Secretary OF
War, the whole Cabinet, and the militu science
of the country.
On the contrary. we are honorably bound to
believe, and we do believe, that since the condi-
ton of affairs came to be understood by the Ad
ministration. everything has been done which
could be done to prepare for the emergency. Tn,
difficulties he has encountered have been extraor
dinary and unexpected; and it is not probable
they have been anticipated by any one of his re
vilers. Yet, with one or two exceptions, tn
tone Of the Republican press in this city is that
denunciation and abuse; of which not only tn
President, but Mr.. Seward, Mr.. Cameron, ant
General Scott, receive each ttsir share. A pro
position is made for .srepresel iative leader, L
supercede the President and usurp the function
of the constituted authorities Men WHO. Will
differing from the Administration in its policy
nevertheless recognize the obligation of ever
citizen to obey the laws, and to abstain fror
whatever terds to obstruct their execution. ar
pronounced traitors by those tcho suggest that III
President be deposed, and the forms of c0nstitu
fionai government disregarded.
We are among those who believe that the wa
might have been honorably avoided; but we ar
faithful citizens of the United States, boun
and at all times ready to obey the laws, and I
observe the constitutional obligations devolvin
upon Moreover, we believe that while th
war lasts, ard until way is opened for an hor
: orable peace, il must be prosecuted with vigo
and especially that the national Capital should b
defended at all hazards. But the President ca
not create armies on the instant, or produce tran
portation and supplies call AS the constitl
tional head Of the Governments. he is entitled |
the support and cooperation Of all good citizen
IF his political friends desert him-nay, wheth'
they oesert him or nSf-he will have the suppo
of true Union, law-asiding men, in all constitl
tional and lawful measures he may adopt to d.
fend the Capital and preserve the safety OF Il
States remaining in the Union.
The present moment is one of great concel
to the people of this city. Il behooves all goc
citzens-merchants, bankers, every body WI
values the supremacy of the law, the preservatio
of social order, or the protection of property
frown down the first indications of revolutionaI
action, and TO support the Constitutional author
ties in the discharge OF their duties. The prese
is crisis in our affairs which demands the u
most GOODNESS and judgment. and the truest fde
ity to the Government, whether its course accor
with our own judgment or net Now is the tin
TO test the real sentiments and patriotism of Il
people.
Mnch has been said lately about the evils
anarchy: and they can scarcely be exaggerate
But if the possibility of incurriDg them is a val
argument against even n respectful opposition
certain measures of the Government, how mu,
more is it valid argument against any and e
cry measure looking to the overthrow of tn
Government Who does not know that Pre-
dent Lincol IN could not be supplanted by usurpt
uliucf "uatCfO q fiCtCAss "ishOut thc uOct
full anarchy Many of his political friends wou
rally around him with might and main.
would the Democrats and Bell Everett men wit
out exception For, little as some Of them M
like Mr.. Lincoln, they would prefer him, or
most any other man. ccnstitutonally elected,
military Dictator, or 20 usurper Of any so
OF course, Americans would not yield TO such
usurpation except by force, and that could on
be made effective except through seas of bloc
Beware then. of the beginnings of evil. Sial
by the Government, until it is regularly supers
ded, according to the forms of the Constitute
" Y jour Of Commerce.