Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-03-20
The ssFreemanss Journal,, ON Presi.
dent LincOin,s Message.
From the New York Freeman's Journal.
THE INAUGURAL AND ITS coScoMITANIs.

THE INAUGURAL AND IFS coNcoMITANTs.
On Monday last the melancholy spectacle
was presented of the Inauguration of Abraham
Lincoln to the Office of nominal President of the
United States. The city of Washington was
crowded on the occasion by tens of thousands of
excited men-cOmparatively few of whom seem
to understand the blow the country has received.
The closing days of last week accumulated the
gloom that has settled over the minds of patriotic
men. The "Peace Convention" called at the in
stance of generous Virginia, adjourned, having
been able to present nothing better for the
sideration of the country than the "plan' which
we give in another column. We are unable to
understand the motives that patriotic men in
Washington found for the Joy and congratula-
ton" with which the results of that Convention
were hailed On the contrary, it seemed to us
that the seventh article, tackled to the by the
rabid influences of the Massachusetts, School,
and claiming that amalgamationists in New Eng
land, BY investing black men with State citizen
ship, may thrust them upon Southern States in
like capacity-showed the chaffering and petit
Jogging disposition undated, to keep the word
OF the Constitution to the ear, and to break it to
the hope.
But even this poor dole was not freely paid.
The propositions of the Convention were not
sanctioned by the unanimous agreement that
alone could have given them weight. On the
contrary, they seem to have passed by majority
vote only in consequence of characteristic act
Of nsolence on the part of that loose jointed poll
tican, Dudley ID. Field, who held the balance
vote OF the New York delegation. The delega-
ton contained five conservatives and six radicals,
and were under instructions to cast the vote of the
State on every question as it rose, according to
the majority wiH in the delegation. Mr.. d. ID.
Field, having sought and accepted a place in the
delegation as radical, was afterwards led off, by
fee, to attend court during the decisive session
of the Convention, and modestly left his injunc
tons to supply the place OF his presence and vote
These injunctionS receiving only the weight to
which they were entitled, the delegation of New
| Y ork was divided and aoRIiquet.
And still farther, these poor propositions Of the
Peace Convention have been rejected by both
Houses of the "Rump" Congress. The Critten-
den propositions have also been rejectec, and the
expiring Congress, only by the most strenuous
exertions, succeeded in passing Tom Corwins
propositions, asserting the invioability of State
sovereignty in regard to the slaveholding States,
and recommending convention of all the States.
Thee of Senator Seward, on the vote upon
the Peace Convention propositions, added to the
general gloom. Confidence had been felt in him,
by many, that he going to declare for con-
sentative course. His vote against these PROPOSE
tions in the Senate, revealed the truth that he Is
but a trimmer, and will live and die such. He
! hoated off with the radicals.
ton, with its customary speech 1t is the fictitious
importance attached to the language OF inaugurals
that will do the damage. We present the docu-
ment, as il was read, in our columns. Earnest
narrow and bigoted. the language of the inaugural
is the language of the miserable and anti-nationa
party that elected Mr.. Lincoln. The natural
meaning of his words is. that he makes no note
of the disruption of fundamental relations--that
he does not recognize that force, used by him in
tba hon a., If he will ata of
the people of those States foreign nation even
as in their heat of passion, their revolutionary
conventions have declared they already consider
themselves The inaugural will be read to mean
that Abraham Lincoln proposes to retake the
forts and other United States property in the Sc
cedins States, and to collect the revenue in their
ports.
Still, lee us say, we do not believe he will at
tempt the one or the other. If he does attempt
it, in fact, he will force every slaveholding State
TO unite with the Southern Confederacy, and he
will bring united South into armed collision
with divided, convulsed and selfresisting North
If force be used in an attempt to recapture Uni
; ted States forts now held by seeding States, we
predict that, before snow falls next winter a
Southern army will hold the city of Washington,
and if there be civil war, it will be carried on
upon Northern soil.
This is no menace. it is foresight In Gods
name let il be prevented. >
There is but one course now left, short e mad
ness and misery for all of US. The laws in the
5 seeding States are in allegiance. Let them so
: remain, for the present. No oath of office calls
Mr.. Lincoln to attempt what is impossible, which
he acknowledges it to be to execute American
n law within resisting States.
Y The remedy for this fundamental disorder is
beyond the reach of the Administration or of
$ Congress. The only way now is to postpone ac-
e ton, and to summon National Convention of all
the States-either to heal breaches or to agree on
, peaceable separation. Is not this the American
e way2 Is it not the only way compatible with the
d principles of our institutions Is there anything
derogatory of any ones dignity, or of any ones
' interest in this proposition Let, then, all that
J. there is of patriotism of common sense left in
e the Republican party, strive to keep Mr.. Lincoln
. confined to carrying out this sole remaining plan
5 As to the border slave States-they are entitled
to the affection to the gratitude and to the prac
t teal friendship of all patriots for the conserva
g tive course they have taken hitherto. In pres
e ence of Mr.. Lincoln's attitude, in his inaugural
we feel that it may be impossible for them longei
t to preserve their conservative position. Blu
J. their exertions have not been in vain. They
Il have strengthened the hands of conservatives al
! the North, and have confirmed in our deter
h minaton that ice will not make war on the South
even if we have to fight Northern aggression a
5 our own doors to keep from being dragged int
80 unholy a conflict of sections.