The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1861-10-10
SECESSKONHSTs.

| Since the unlawful and r1Otous arrest
Thompson last week, we have heard NOR
said about 'secession;sts" than ever before
Such men as A. l.. Wheeler, c. R. Reev,
and others of our most prominent business
men, who have been here longest, ant
have the most interest in the county, anC
the most to lose by wa, and secession, ant
the most to gain by the suppression Of re
bellion and a return to peace, are called
secession lists, traitors. and other names o
that class. "Secessionists" indeed! Tn,
man who knows any of them, and make!
the assertion, is a faul mouthed liar. ant
unworthy the respect Of all who max,
any pletensions TO decency. With all o
them we have talked, and heard them talk
and nothing that could be construed into
secession sentiments. was ever uttered BY
either Of them in our hearing. or 10 oul
knowledge; while on the contrary, we
have heard them express the sound
est Union sentiments, and the strongest
attachment to the government. and unqual-
flied condemnation Of secession. Men
who charge them with the maine are either
knaves or fools.
At public meeting held here last May.
G.. H. Reeve drafted and introduced some
resolutions, from which we seec: some OF
the language. He urged their adoption,
in a speech of some length; they were
unanimously adopted. and nearly all the
leading Republicans and Democrats in
town voted for them. Yet these same
mem Republicans--now call him a Sc
cessionist, and there has been no change
in his sentiments we know. for We have
heard him speak publicly twice since, and
he entertains the same sentiments. But
for the resolutions:
"ReSolved. That. under the present con-
stitution of the United States, no State
has right TO secede from tile COntederacy.
or absolve itself from it, allegiance to the
General Government without the consent
of at least majority of the States: and
that the Government possesses the un.
doubted right to enforce obedience to its
laws within any such State, regardless Of
all or any pretended right OF secession.
"Resolced, That while we derry the right
Of the Southern States to secede, we rec
ognize the fact they have been taught to
believe that it was and is the intention of a
majority of the people OF the North to
refuse to recognize t'leir equality in the IN
ion. and to violate the recognized principle
Of STATES RIGHTS; and that, such being
the case, it has been and is the duty Of
every Northern State to remove all we'll
grounded reasons for such belief, and to
render strict obedience 10 the Federal laws.
"Resolyed. That we hail Rhode Island
as State purely patriotic, and one who
has put herself right upon the record;
therefore, she comes with clean hands to
the aid Of the general Government; and we
will go with her, heart and soul. in her
efforts to preserve the nation and protect
it from aggression" Rhode Island re-
pealed her Personal Liberty laws before
her troops started for the war
This is enough yet with this public record
made early in The war, such men are called
secessionists and traitors; and studied ef-
forts made to create the impression at
homo and abroad.
If opposition to the appointment Of
lawvers and doctors and otbar civilians 10
the highest commands in the army. with
out military skill, experience, or knowl
edge, while old army officers. with all these
requisites, are kept subordinate and left
unpromoted
If opposition TO the Sub Treasury s,
tenn, and the resort to pet banks and a
shinplaster currency by the Government
If opposition to the repeal of the reve-
nue. tariff, and the adoption of one that de-
stroys the revenue while we borrow money
and pay big interest and bigger taxes;
If opposition to suppression of the press
and the right of speech;
If opposition to the usurpation of power
while the Constitution grants as large pow
ers as it does;
If opposition to emancipation of slaves,
unless by act of coDfiscation through the
courts, the same as other property;
If opposition to the consolidation of the
States, and the "wiping out Of State lines
and State governments" as advocated by
Mr. Cameron in his Washington speech,
last summer;
If opposition to the policy refusing an
exchange of prisoners. while we receive
flags of truce, and keep as prisoners rebels
taken in arms, and leave our brave men to
rot and die in Southern prisons;
Il opposition to disbanding such bodies
Of men as are compelled to surrender to
the rebels. and leaving them far from home
without means Of return or aid, and de-
priving them of pay, when they perilled
their lives and los! their liberty on the