Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-02-27

WEDNESDAE..-...FE 81, 1861
The state Union Convention.
The convention Of the citizens Of Indiana.
which assembled On the birthday Of the Father
Of his country, 10 take into consideration the
present. exigencies of our public affairs, was
largely attended. Every county in the State was
represented, and BY its best and wisest men It
was emphaticallya Union meeting. We never
attended convention more imposing in charac-
ter-one more earnest TO secure the object for
which il convened, or at which greater unanim-
ity of sentiment prevailed. The unanimous voice
of the convention was for the maintainance ofthe
Union, by any honorable and permanent adjust
ment of the antagonism existing between the
North and the South. withors regard to the party
Platforms which have heretofore divided the
country. 1t was no less emphatic in its expires
sion against coercion. or, in other words, civil
war and internecine strife The convention was
Cor concession, Cancellation, compromse-for the
preservation of the Union upon the principles
which the Government was formed, and upon
which il rests for its perpetuity. If the spirit
which animated the convention is the prevailing
sentiment Of the people Of Indiana, We shall en-
sertain the hope that Liberty and Union. one and
inseperable, is now, and will ever be, the motto
and destiny Of the American people.
The convention spoke with one voice. and that
voice could not be misunderstood 1t was for
peacs. Il was against disunion, if the separation
could De prevented by any honorable compro-
mise But if disunion was the only alternative,
the SEN. .nent of the convention was for peace
able separation. We cannot war with brothers.
We cannot fight the men-the people-who have
fought our battles II division must take place,
Jet US part as brethren. as friends. 1t was felt
that the only hope of reunion. OF the reconstruc-
ton of the Government is in maintaining peace.
This feeling animated the convention. and, if we
may be allowed to Judge from the representation
present. it is the sentiment of vast majority of
tie people of Indiana.
There was no partizan spirit manifested in the
convention-Repablican Democrats, and Consti-
tutiopal Union men met to consult upon the I'M
happy differences which divide the country. Party
platforms and individual opinions were surrender
ed to obtain what was regarded greater good,
the preservation Of the Union and the govern
rnent under which we have obtained honor abroad
md prosperity at home To mairtain and per-
netuafe those blessings was the objest Of the con-
vention Most sincerely do hope that its
efforts may be successful The address and res
buttons adopted with entire unanimity are tenn
perate in tone in good spirit and present the only
practicable mode Of healing the existing divisions
and re-uniting the country. These ends. we be-
lieve, can only be accomplished by the prompt
adoption of "she plan Of adjustment Of Senator
CRIrrzsDEs. or any other fair and just PROPOSE
ton substantially resembling it" While we
we would not oppose the alternative of Ma
tional Con vention, composed of delegates cleo
led BY the people. xe fear Ia operation would be
too slow to meet the crisis, and the adoption OF
such measure would be subject to misconstruc-
ton by even the most moderate men Of the South.
Il would look to them as though it was inten-
ded for delay and not for reconciliation. A new
confcderated government ha. been successfully
organized, which will rapidly gain strength by
tae accession Of ether States if the compromise of
the present difficulties is even deferred The
cession Of a single State might DE regarded as
rebellion easily overcome, but the union Of six
States, with large resources, in opposition to the
General Government, must be considered revo-
luton. which it raay not only be difficult to sub
due. but impolitic even to attempt its su5uga
ton. Conquered hostile provinces would add
no strength to The Un4on.
The patriotic and conservative sentiments
sdopted by the convention. composed as il was Of
the best men Of all parties, should receive the
cordial approval Of every citizen Of Indiana, who
desires reunion Of the States upon permanent
basis The proposed adjustment of Mr.. CRrTTES
DEN is fair between contending parties. BY it
each yields something, but the North gets the
lions share. And then it becomes permanent
settlement by Constitutional enactment, and
stops an agitation by which demagogues have
for-ished. and tlrns the attention of the country
20 the development. of its resources and those in
tcrnal improvements which would go far to bind
the States in lasting Union We have already
made wonderful and unexampled progress
az . nation. but with peace and union the
Imagination hardly conceive the great
ness and the wealth that the United States
could achieve IN another eighty-fve years.
Is not this destiny and aheritage which every
good citizen should desire to transmit to his chill
dren-to the generations which shall succeed us
To accomplish 50 bene6cent an object it only re-
quires the surrender of partisan pref udices and
passions-of secional animosties, and restora-
ton Of that patriotic conservative and concatory
spirit which animated the Fathers of the Republic.
The Union was born Of concession, and it can
only be maintained By concession To achieve
Independence and Union, the men of the Revolu-
ton pledged their lives, their fortunes, their
sacred honors, and yielded sectional prejudices.
party creeds, and governmental theories To
perpetuate Government which has conferred
unequaIled personal liberty and happiness. and
general prosperity and progress, viii not the Sons
be governed By the wisdom. the patriotism. and
the conciliatory spirit which controlled the
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