The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1861-09-19

professed to belong. as well as i'll other par
ties and 10 other States of the Union, who,
while admitting the wickedness and folly
of the leaders of secession, believe that a
wise and firm conciliatory policy in the
Federal administration and in Congress,
would have averted the present civil war,
and preserved the Union in its integrity;
who believe that the war if carried on to
its natural results, with the virulence indi-
Gated by both contending sections. will
result in the destruction of the Federal
Union, and in radical changes for the
worse in the American system of free re-
publican government. besides entailing up
Oh the people for many years pecuniary
burdens grieyous to be borne; who believe
that passion and party spirit are alike hos
tile to the wise conduct of public affairs in
the present great crisis and peril of the
nation; men who also, while they will give
up their lives and fortunes to defend the
Union and Constitution, so long as they
are worth defending, nevertheless believe
that peaceahle separation Of Federal
States, become radically jealous and hos
tile TO each other, is better than formal
Union when maintained only by the terror
of an immense military power, corrupting
the morals, subverting th liberties, and
eating out the hard earned substance of
the people. There are many men. l say.
as little sympathizing with secession or
secessionists Mr.. Smith or his compat-
riots in the trade of firing :he hearts of the
Northern people to the war heat. and prob
ably as well informed as they in the histo-
ry and institutions of their country, who
honestly hold the belief | have stated
These men have a right to their opinions.
and to their free expression, and it lily be-
comes men protesting. like Mr.. Smith, a
lofty zeal for the Union and Constitution,
to denounce such of his fellow citizens, as
traitors unworthy Of burial in the soil Of
Indiana. | believe | know something of
the history of the political creed of the
Southern States in regard to State rights
and the Fedral Union which has placed
them in their present attitude of revoiu-
tion rebellion against its authority
That creed the Democratic party has sub
stantially endorsed for the last sixty years.
and whether 1t be right or wrong. it is be-
yond doubt the basis of political action
with the masses of the Southern people
While therefore am free TO say, that
cannot feel that wild zeal for war upon the
South which seems to inflame the minds Of
SO many christianity protesting, and at
other times peace loving citizens, repel
with scorn. as an insult and a falsehood
the assertion or intmation of any man.
that l love Union and Constitution less
than any other man who occupies the soil
of Indiana. While l may question the
wisdom of my fellow citizens whose voices
echo SO loudly..for war to the knife with our
kindred of the South, will not dispute
their patriotism, nor shall without denial
d spite my own. 1t is not the duty Of any
man to believe without evidence. No cit.
izen is bound to believe or to say that his
rulers and their policy are immaculate
While it is the duty of every citizen to
obey the law, it is also his right and duty
to Judge of the wisdom of the law. and by
constitutional and peaceful means to effect
i've. or its repeal when wrong. The citi-
zen who, whether he be ia the minority or
the majority, believes that the welfare of
his country are endangered by the acts or
policy Of its rulers, is coward, if not q
traitor, If he fails to do what he eau for his
country's good.
1t is indeed a new doctrine in America
that failure TO approve the measures OF
its rulers Is treason to the State Such a
doctrine may do for an Asiaiic despotism,
but it has no place in the American theo-
ry Of free government. 1t is new doc
trine that to question the policy. or doubt
the good results of war, is to give aid
and comfort TO the enemies of our couu
try. Tried by such rule of treason, the
illustrious statesmen of England, who bat
tied maniully for the rights Of the revolu-
tionary colonies, and for peace and concil-
la.ion with them, even after the war was
begun and independence declared. were
traitors to tie crown and constitution OF
England; and yet what man, outside an
insane asylum. in this day, would say that
Burke, and the elder Pitt, and Camden
. and Fox were traitors TO their country
Was Lord Chatham's speech on the motion
} for removing the British troops from Bos-
ton. treason? Was Lord Camden traitor
when he declared that he would persist to
! the last In opposing the pernicious and un-