Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-09-18
a Witness.

The Republican press generally have standing
at the head of their editorial columns some ofthe
sentiments of DOUGLAS uttered just before his
death, in reference to the duty of the citizen in
the present crisis of the Government In his last
speech the deceased statesman remarked: Who
euer is not prepared to sacrifice party organiza-
tons and platforms on the altar of his country,
does not deserve the support and countenance OF
honest people. Let him be marked no true
patriot who win not abandon all such issues in
times like this" The Democracy are ever pre-
pared to subordinate party organizations and
platforms to the Constitution, which they regard
as the sheet anchor of religious and civil liberty.
This sentiment is part of their political creed.
Are the Republicans willing TO occupy similar
position? Are they prepared with the Democrats
to sacrifice party organizations upon the altar of
their country? Are the Republicans of Marion
county ready to give practical illustration of
their professions of no-partyism, by erasing all
party lines and Withdrawing all party candidates
for political officesr If they not, it is hypoc-
risy to keep standing at the head of their party
press the sentiments to that effect from the last
speech of DOUGLAS.
Where has rested the responsibility for the
present divided condition of the country and the
terrible calamity OF civil war? We will bring
their own witness to the stand to prove that the
difficulties which brought the present troubles
upon the nation could have been adjusted if the
Republican members of the last Congress, at its
-, -o,s;c,, I'D hon, ,vill;nc Rnt tl,av raf,so.l
to do so, because they we're not prepared to sur
render party organizations and platforms upon
the altar of their country. Senator DOUGLAS, in
a speech which he delivered in the United States
Senate on the Sd of January, 1861, thus charged
the sole responsibility of not permitting an ami
cable adjustment upon the Republican members
of Congress. In that speech he said, in speaking
of his proposition for compromise:
| / believe this to be a fair basis of amicable adj
justmert. III you of the Republican side are not
willing TO accept this, nor the proposition of the
Senator from Kentucky, Mr.. Crittenden, pray
tell us what you are willing to dor l address the
| inquiry to the Republicans alone for the reason
that in the Committee of Thirteen, a few days
ago, eUerg member from the South including those
from the cotton States, Messrs. Toombs and Da
WIS., expressed their readiness TO accept the propo-
siti0R of mig venerable friend from Kentucky
Mr.. Crttenden final settlement Of The con
trorersy. if rendered and sustained Jy the Repub
Iican members. Hence, the sole responsibility o.
our disagreement and the only difficulty ia The
toay of an amicable adjustment is 1ith tie Repub-
iican party.
Of course the Republicans can not deny the
testimony of their own witness. By him they
stand condemned for the present condition oil
public affairs and all the evils that may grow out
of the sectional contest now raging-the magni-
tude of which the Administration have not vet
been able to comprehend, or provide an adequate
remedy. We give another extract from letter
one of the last he wrote, in which MIR. DOUGLAS
charged that the leading Republican Senators, to
sustain party or organization and platform, were
the editor of the Springfield Register. Read:
The fact can no longer be denied that many
OF the Republican Senators desire war and dis
union, under pretext of saving the Union. They
wish to get rid of the Southern Senators, in order
to have majority in the Senate to confirm the
appointments; and many of them think they can
hold permanent Republican ascendency in the
Northern States, but not in the trh0le Union
For partisan reasons, therefore, they are ANXIOUS
to dissoIce the Union, if it can be done without
making them responsible before the people.
Again 10 the Republican party stand condemn
ed by their own witness for precipitating war
upon the country to advance partisan schemes.
Weare rejoiccd to see Republicans manifesting a
small degree of willingness to remedy, if posi-
BILE, the fearful condition of public affairs which
has resulted from their love of party more than
country. The moment they sacrifice party Or
CARNATIONS and party platforms upon the altar OF
their country" they will find the Democratic
party prepared" to erase all party lines in their
support of the Constitution and the Unon-to
abandon all party issues until the Government
and country are rescued from its perils, and its
flag is floating in triumph over every inch of
American soil.