Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-01-16

buttons adopted advising Cancellation and conces
sion upon our members of Congress.
Z. That if civil war shall result from the ag
gressive policy of the Republican party, the rash
counsels of Southern statesmen, or by the impol
tic and unwise exercise of cOerciye power on the
part of the Federal Government, twould become
the duty of Indiana, bound, as her citizens are,
to the North and the South, by ties of consan-
guinity and commerce, to act, with other con
sentative States as a mediator between the con-
tending factions.
8. That, as patriots, we should never despair of
the Republic; that whatever we do amid the diff
culties that environ the country, should be
enacted with the intent of preserving the Union,
or if its parts become severed, of rec0nstructing
it, and, that in the envent of the failure of Con
gress to effect "a speedy settlement of pending
difficulties, it would become the duty of the Leg
isature now about to convene, to provide by law
| for convention of the people of this State, to
the end that delegates may be appointed to a con-
vention of the border States, and the position
authoritatively declared which Indiana shall as
sumo in the perilour crisis.
g. That Indiana has ever been faithful to the re
quirements of the Federal Constitution, and
pei with indignation the charge that her statute
book has everbeen soiled with personal liberty bills,
or any similar enactments, intended to nulIfy,
thwart, impede. or, in any manner, obstruct the
enforcement of the fugitive slave law any other
law of the United States.
R. J. Ryan, Esq, offered the following resolu-
tons as an amendment. additional to the re-
port of the committee:
Resolued, That while we, portion of the De
mOcracy of Indiana, have differed among our
selves during the past three years, in regard to
the policy and administration of President Blu
chanan, nevertheless, we now cordially and unan-
imously endorse and applaud the firm stand he
has taken in defence of the Union and the laws
of the land.
Resolved That we hail with feelings of the
/ lveliest satisfaction the overwhelming majority
by which the gallant conduct of Major Anderson
has been sustained in the popular branch of the
American Congress.
The propositions were referred to the Commit
tee on Resolutions After consultation by the
committee they were reported back to the meeting
with the recommendation that they be laid on the
table. The report of the committee was adopted.
The sentiment of the meeting was decidedly averse
to considering resolutions of personal character
complimenting individuals for having done what
was, or what was conceived to be their duty as it
would have opened the door for multitude of
similar compliments to others and thus have caused
discord, instead of harmonious action as to the
policy of Indiana and the country in the present
crisis. The meeting was not called to pass upon
the merits of individuals, but the best means of
preserving the integrity of the Government.
Mr. Hendricks, in response to loud calls from
all parts of the house, spoke to the resolutions
reported by the copmittee. He said he had no
pride of opinion that he would not freely and
cheerfully offer as a sacrifice the altar of his
country. His belief was that n-intervention
was the best policy, but the Democracy had fought
the battle and had been defeated on that platform
ann now it was for all patriotic men who loved
their country above and beyond party 10 accept
any proposition that did not discard principle
that would bring peace to the country. He re-
viewed the territorial policy since 1890 and passed
a glowing eulogium upon Mr.. Crittenden, who
had thrown himself into the breach, and he called
upon Indiana to second Kentucky in her efforts to
maintain the Union. If the Union should dis
solve and the States be thrown back upon their
sovereignty, his allegiance was due and would be
given to Indiana.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Hendricks speech,
the original resolutions were unanimously adop-
ted.
The following resolution, by Mr.. N. b. Risin-
ger, was then adopted:
RESOLVED, That a copy Of these resolutions be
sent to elch of our Senators and Representatives
in Congress- and to each of the Senators and
Representatives in Congress of the Southern
States
A resolution by Mr.. Mcdonald authorizing the
publication of the proceedings of the meeting in
the Indiana State Sentinel, signedby the officers,
and requesting Democratic papers to copy them,
was then adopted after which the meeting adj
journed. A. A. HAMMOND, Pres.
j. j. BINGHAM, Secretary.