Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-12-23
National Unity and STATE authorsty

National Unity and state Authority.
The protested object Of the war is the preser-
vaton not the destruction Of our peculiar form of
Government which. until the attempt TO divide it.
secured not only individual freedom and unexam-
pied prosperity, but that unity of action which
gave US national strength and greatness. These
ends were obtained by strict adherence to the
National Constitution and respect for the re-
served rights of the several States. The General
Government is the central power to which the
several State Governments are tributary, but
while owing a common Allegiance for pro
lection and defense, and those objects
which Union can best secure and pro-
mote, the States, in their separate capacity,
reserve and exercise independent rights and pow
ers, not affecting those delegated to the General
Government, but which has given to each State
individuality in action and Institutions The
Louisville Democrat most forcibly and happily
refers to the peculiar structure of our political
institutions and the necessity of adhering to the
National Constitution in letter and spirit, if we
hope to preserve the General Government, with
all the blessings il has conferred upon us as indi-
viduals and nation. in the following article the
spirit and sentiments Of which are well worthy Of
consideration at the present time:
Some of the Black Republican papers. claim
ing to be conservative do not even vet enter into
aud understand the contest in which the Govern
ment is engaged. With these, it still appears to
be war by which the Constitution is to be over
thrown, if necessary, for the preservation of the
Union Without entering into the discussion of
that question, it seems to us perfectly apparent
that the very idea of Union without the Con
stitution is absurd. What has bound and united
the people of this Government together bias been
the perfect and equal manner in which its provi-
sions have been adapted to the nature OF the
country and the genius of the people.
The manner in which the States act in legiti-
mate spheres, and the General Government over
all in a limited manner, has given TO the whole
that unity of action necessary in national affairs
and to each State that power OF domestic legisla-
ton requisite from diversity of climate and
habits OF the people
A strong Federal power would find it impos-
sible, from the mere massiveness of machinery
and its eompexity. TO legislate upon the minut9
of State affairs, while the frequently apparently
diverse interests of the States would not allow
them TO legislate as confederation so as to make
with wisdom that seemed inspired, adjusted
this in manner that commanded the admiration
of the world 1t is wrong TO say the nationality
of the United States was experiment. Its
power and unity had been recognized for seventy
years on every sea and shore on the globe. To
attempt to establish the Union upon any other
basis would be futile. Ii would erumbie to pie
ces, if established upon the right OF Secession,
as in the Southern COnfederacy. If established
sveness would be its destruction, unless the gov
eminent was made tremendous despotism, like
Russia Even then we have the lesson of ancient
Rome to show that its DAYS would be numbered.
liz would be impossible for Congress to regulate
at Washington the internal interests of Califor
mia, Oregon, Texas and Maine without crushing
out the spirit of freedom The true and only
method is strict adherence to the letter and spi-
rit of the Constitution. To depart from tried
successful plan for novel experiment is any
thing but craftsmanship. This plan has the
higher recommendation OF being understood from
long use by the people of this country The
Southern people understand it, and will be will
ling once the despots now running them are crush
ed, TO accept il.
In our opinion, this course simpIifes many
yexed questions-es2 ecially the slavery question
lt leaves it to the States, except in cases where
the States and State authorities abdicate their
authority, OF military eAlSeiciess necessary allke
for the State and United States, demand an in
reference for their ultimate preservation. This
exigency is only temporary and will pass away
with the occasion that called forth the exercise
of the power
1t is by faithful adherence to the Constitu
ton that the Union is to be preserved; and the
departures which radicals in the so called South
ern Coniederacy, and in the North, advocate, are
alike hostile to the Union. We would like to
Gals changed. Loud denunciaton, bitter recrim-
nation, and violent demagoguery, have saved no
nation, and ruined many. We believe that n
wise consideration of the Constitution is as es-
sential as armies. After this storm we look for
peaceful settlement of the question by firm
reunion, making us stronger, wiser, and better
than we were before these troubles began.