Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-05-01
Governors nIessage.

hitherto unknown IN her history, ana one winch
all patriots and lovers of liberty throughout the
world had fondy hoped would never occur. CT
vii war, that has ever been the bane of Repub
lies has been inauguTated by certain rebelliOus
States. which, unmindful of their constitu
tional obligations, and regarding not our
common history, blood, interests, and institu
tons, are seeking To dishonOr the Nation, and
overthrow the Federal Government, so wisely,
and, as we had hoped, permanently established
BIZ our fathers
The origin of this most wicked rebellion dates
back more than thirty years. 1t is well known
that distinguished Southern statesmen, as early
as 1920, cherished the dream of a vast Southern
slaveholding confederacy, comprehending the
conquest of Cuba, Mexico and Central America.
The determination was then formed to break our
Republic into pieces by any available pretext.
The first one seized upon by South Carolina was
the Tariff question, and had not the Nation had
for its Executive man greatly distinguished for
patriotism, courage, and decision of character,
vide spreading and disastrous consequences might
have followed. BY prompt and energetic action,
the rebellion was crushed out for the mo. to lie
revived, as subsequent events have shown, on
new features and in another form.
The election of a President of the United
States through the ferns of the Constitution,
entertaining opinions obnoxious to certain States
of the Confederacy. is boldly published TO the
world as Just cause for the dissolution OF the
Union, and bringing on if necessary for that ur-
pose all the horrors of bloody revolution. 1t
would be an insult to your intelligence to argue
that the admission of this pretense as justifca-
ton would be clearly fatal to all Republican Gov
eminent; that popular institutions can only be
sustained by submission to the will of the people
as expressed through the forms of the Constitu
ton, trusting to the peaceful remedy of the bal
lot box for the redress of grievances. And the
wickeiness of this pretence is greatly aggravated
bs-f ha raAact hat
that was only put forward in furtherance of
schemes entertained for years and supported by
VIGOROUSLY false assumptions of fact and logic.
When we read the history of the late Democratic
Convention at Charleston, by the light OF sub
sequent events can we fail to see that the scheme
of secession and ACKNOWLEDGMENT of the Union
was one of the steps towards its c0nsummation?
If confirmation OF this opinion were needed, it
will be found in the fact that certain traitorous
members of Mr. Buchanan'S cabinet were sys-
tematically engaged for many months before the
late Presidential election, in placing the arms and
defences of the nation in position to be readily
seized by the seeding States.
Secession was first argued a right springing
from the Constitution itself, but as the movement
gained strength, the flimsy pretext was abandoned,
and ceased to be a subject of discussion, and what
in an hour of weakness was claimed by feeble ar
gument, is now boldly asserted by military power.
The North, conscious of her strength, and the
rectitude of her Intentions, has hitherto remained
quiet, making no preparations whatever for con-
6ict of arms Her forbeaance has been con
strued into cowardice and her efforts TO keep the
peace have but provoked increased insolence and
aggression. The secession movement has from
its beginning been an act of war Ordinances of
secession have been Immediately followed and
sometimes preceded by the violent seizure and
plumber of national property, and the f0rcibie ex
pulson of the agents and officers of the Federal
Cove first and psp rN
step in its progress, it has been distinguished by
acts of hostility and outrage, alike injurious to the
nation and insulting to the people Of the loyal
States.
The secessionists were profoundly convinced
that the cooperation OF the border slave States
could not be procured without conflict of arms
between them and the Federal Government, and
hence have labored assidiously to place the Gov
eminent in position that a collision could not be
avoided except by the most abject submission and
humiliation. The intention to force conflict
has been most apparent and delay suffered
only that they might complete their preparations
and when at last their preparations were com
plete, and welried by the long forbearance of the
Government, they inaugurated hOstilities by
saulting and reducing Fort Sumter.
The place where Fort Sumter is situated had
been regularly coded by the State of South Caro-
lima to the Federal Government, and by an ex-
press provision of the Constitution was under the
exclusive jurisdiction of the United States. 1t
unfinished and held by garrison OF less than
one hundred men, and while in this condition was
invested by large army. The stock of provi-
sions was almost exhausted, and the immediate
prospect was presented to the feeble garrison of
starvation, or yielding up into the hands of an
armed and avowed enemy fortress of the United
States. AT this iuncture the Federal Govern
ment, which had waited long, perhaps too long,
declared its determination to send provisions to
= ID -.
be made, and before single sail of the fleet was
seen off the harbor, powerful cannonade was
opened upon Sumter, which resulted in its de-
struction and surrender.
Every day brings us intelligence of new out
RACES and assaults. Throughout the rebellious
States is heard the note of preparation for ex-
tensive and aggressive campaign The National
Capital is menaced, and every avenue of approach
for Federal troops and provisions is attempted to
be cut Off The free navigation of the Mississippi
river, the great artery of commerce of the North
west, is DISTRACTED, and the usurping government
of the rebellious States has issued proclamation
inviting the freebooters of all the world to prey
upon our National commerce.
We have passed from the field of argument to
the solemn fact of war which exists by the act of
the seeding States. The issue is forced upon us
and must be accepted. Every man must take his
position upon the one side or upon the other. In
time of there is no ground upon which a
third party can stand 1t is the imperative duty
of all men to rally to the support of the Govern
ment, and to expend in its behalf if need be,
their fortunes and their blood Upon the preser-
vation of this Government depends our prosperity
and greatness as a naton-our liberty and happi-
ness as individuals. We should approach the
contest not politicians, nor as ambitious parti-
sans, but patriots who cast aside every selfish
consideration when danger threatens their coun-
try. The voice of party should be hushed and
the bitterness that may have sprung out of polit-
ical contests be at once forgiven and forgotten
Let us rise above these paltry considerations, and
inaugurate the era when there shall be but one
party, and that for our country. The struggle is
one into which we enter with the deepest reluc
lance We ere bound to the people of the seced-
ing States by the dearest ties of blood and insti-
buttons. They are our brothers and our fellow
countrymen, but if they regard not these tender
relations how can wef If they wage war upon
us, and put themselves in the attitude of public
enemies, they must assume all the responsibilities
incident to that position. But while | depiore
deeply the character of the contest in which we
are engaged, nevertheless we should meet it as
men.
To our sister State of Kentucky we turn with
hope and affection. She has grown rich and
prosperous in the Republic; could she do more if
she was out Of il? 1t would be sad day that
would sever the bond which binds these States to-
SCthct pilNt W. III StjdIdAt anu lloStilt HI
tons. / appeal to her by the ties of our common
kindred and history; by community of in
terest; by the sacred obligations to maintain the
Constitution inyiolate, to adhere to the Union,
and stand fast by that flag in defense of which
she has so often shed her best blood. pray her
to examine her past history and perceive how the
tide of her prosperity has flowed on unbroken,
and ever increasing, until her limits are filed
with material wealth, and her people respected,
elevated and happy; and then inquire if all this is
not the result of that Union she is called upon to
break, and of that Government she is invited TO
| dishonor and overthrow To ask Kentucky 10
secede. is to ask her to commit foul dishonOr and
suicide. | trust that the good sense and patriot
ism of her people Will suffer her to be dragged
| by the current of evils which has been cunningly
invented for that purpose, into the vortex of dis
union: nor permit her to be artfully invegled
/ into armed neutrality between the rebellious
States and the Federal Government. Such a
! position would be anomalous and fatal To the
i peace and Perpetuity of the Union. There is no
! ground in the Constitution midway between a
re5elliouS State and the Federal Government
i unon which cor, strnd boldiror IN, obaoL