Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-08-28

holds doctrines fair, equal and just % all sections
and leave the canse Of our country in the hands
OF the men WHO have contributed TO our present
condition. While we have a country 70 save and
Union TO preserve. there is work and mission
for the Democratic party
liz may be that Republicans may feel that thev
ought TO abandon their party and torn Union
party. That Is well, il they viii abandon their
sectonalism and embrace Union sentiments-but
Democrats do not need % abandon Democracyt to
become Union men. If they are good and true
Democrats, they are good and true Union men.
For years have We not deprecated the organiza-
ton of geographical parties, preaching the doc
tr1nes OF Mashington's Farewell Address until
We have been rldiculed as Union aversi These
times prove Washington 70 have been not only
statesman but prophet
have not time 10 undertake discussion OF
the grave questions that now force themselves
upon the public attention. / can only say that
do not defend or justify the people of the South.
The revolution which they have precipitated is
not 10 be justifei-it was without adequate
cause. Congress has now, by legislation. recog-
nized the existence of war, and good citizens
we respect that action of Congress, and sustain
the present Administration in its execution. But
at the same time we hope for an early honorable
and permanent peace, and ought to favor every
movement TO that end. Had the Crittenden
amendments been adopted last winter peace
would now smile upon our lanti. But sectional
men then said no more COMPROMISING more
concessionS-and now the same men saw, no
compromise with rebels with arms in their hands
When Scott, in the midst of his splendid achieve
ments in Mexico, suspended hostilities sntil our
peace messenger could meet the Mexican author
lties Tor negotiation and adjustment. who in all
this land did not say il was in accordance with
the spirit of Christianity and of cirilization-and
altogether becoming the proud nation and people
whose army then stood stilll
20 not know that adjustment is possible-but
IT possible, am for it-and should have support
ed the proposition of Mr.. Cox in the late Con-
greSs, for the appointment of a number Of our
most eminent men as commissioners to meet men
of the like sort from the South. If 1T could re-
suit in no good, it would do 10 ham, But even
that was rejected by the party in power
1t IS now being given out that the present Ad-
ministration Is the Government, and that no strc-
lures upon it will be allowed. That sentiment
must be resisted If we to retain our liberties
Eternal vigilance is the price Of liberty The
conduct OF public officers is always the proper sub
ject ofinvestigation and criticism Tyrants alone
may claim an exemption. The conduct of Mr.
Lincoln in making arrests without authority of
Law, and continuing the Imprisonment without
trial; and in interfering with the liberty of the
press and freedom of speech, all in the very face
OF the Constitution. admoniShes US that the liber-
ties of the people are in danger. believe none
are SO stupid now, 20 suppose that the cause OF
the North has been promoted by these acts, which
Republican Senate refused 10 sanction but on
the contrary, IT is quite evident that the effect has
been to strengthen the secession sentiment in
some localities. Ii is foul heresy that the Pre-
sident may violate the Constitution in order to
preserve il.
Why this sensitiveness 10 investigation, discus
sion and criticism. when the gravest interests of
the people are involvedI Ii public affairs are
hofr, II
and the hands of the officers will be strengthened
IT, on the other hand, there is much peculation,
fraud and favoritism; if the peoples money is
being used used to enrich corrupt partsans, and
the public service is neglected ought these things
not to be exposed and coHectedl While think
that in Its leading measures this Administration
has been deeply in fault, grafihed at being
able TO say that believe the affairs of that de-
partment which is presided over by an Indianian,
are ably and efficiently conducted
Had time would call your attention to the
recent legislation Of COngress-to the tariff pJli-
cy which stimulates Eastern industry and enter
prise. and paralyzes the West; and to the direct
tax law, which will be found TO fall most heavily
upon agriculture, but the lateness of the hour ad
monishes me that my remarks must come to a
close.
In maintaining the Democratic organization /
believe you serve the country, and my heart is
with you in the movement.
After the conclusion of Mr. Hendricks speech
the meeting adjourned with three times three
cheers for the Constitution and the Union.
Our Army Correspondence Letter
from Capt. Observation-Disclosures x-
plot of two Companies of the 18th
Indiana.
CHEAT MOUNTAIN SUMMIT August Is 1861.
J.J. BINGHAM, Esq-Dear Sir: Quite bril-
liant little affair occurred this morning in front of
our lines. 1t has been evident for several days
that the enemy was advancing his forces, and his
scouts were gradually creeping in upon US. Col.
Kimball was as active and wide awake as he was,
and parties from our camp frequently surprised
and routed them-on one occasion killing two,
and on another running large force Of sixty or
eighty until they were scattered and lost like
mist on the mountain. Last evening Captain
Thompson of the l4th Indiana, and Capt Hill of
the 9th Ohio, left camp with about one hundred
men. The bivouacked about two miles in ad-
vance of our outline pckets and started at early
dawn for Gfeenbrier ALLEY, leaving small force
at the passes by which their return to camp might
be cut off. At the first Greenbrier bridge called
euS AeOShs AbhC pOtus "btic
cavalry were killed) they left ten men, and
pushed across the stream with the remainder now
reduced to about thirty. Ii was raining and thick
mist hung over the valley-a regular Western Vir.
ginia fog. They had not proceeded over half
mile, when they found themselves within the
enemy pckets. and drove in the first advance
and captured three cavalry horses and equipments.
They continued the chase, and next encountered
guard which was quartered at house on the
roadside. These they drove in likewise, killing
or woundinS seven or eight of them and receiv-
ing brisk fire from them as they fell back. They
pressed forward until, turning spur Of the hill,
they discovered the enemy's camp directly in
front-a perfect snow-drift of tents, from which
the infantry we're tumbling in hundreds as
the drums were beating arms. Capt Thomp-
son At the same moment noticed body of cav
airy move through the meadow below, to cut of
his retreat. These were deferred from taking the
road by the men the rock, and the gallant
Captain recrossed the river without the loss of
man, bringing with him horses. guns. canteens,
blankets, and numerous other trophies of his
fight Many instances of individual daring are
mentioned. Among Others Mr.. T. S. Vanvalken-
shoot fellow who had aimed at and missed Capt.
Thompson, and did bring him down, long after
the recall was sounded The enemy followed In
large force to the bridge, but did cross dread
ing an ambush.
This is the only stirring event we have had in
camp for several days. Yours truly,
j. r. BRAcKEN.