Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-04-10

The Cabinet has employed its energies and
time in distributing patronage, while the
Government at Montgomery has been rapidly
organizing, and with wonderful energy and
craftsmanship, in comparison with which the
Government at Washington sinks into insignif-
canoe, has made ample preparations to maintain
its Independence. The Montgomery Government
has policy, far-seeing and far-reaching, while
SEWARD, LINCOLN & Co., have been floating
about upon the sea of uncertainty without well
defined, if any at ALL purposes OF objects The
noble old ship whose successful career has ex-
cited the admiration of the civilized world in the
hands of a strange crew, incapable of managing
her, has well nigh foundered. This is the judg
ment of those who put the vessel in the hands of
those who now control her. We quote again
from the same source:
The administration must hGUe policy of dc-
tiOn-cIear and definite in the end it aims at wise
and resolute in the means employed, and pro-
claimed to the people as the standard around
which they can rally. What it should be, it is
not for ms to say. That is a matter requiring
wise and careful deliberation on the part of those
who ale responsible; but it should be decided upon
promptly, and then carried into effect with steady
and dauntless resolution.
The President has to decide whether he will
enforce the law at the hazard of civil war, or
whether he will waive the execution of the law,
and appeal to the people of the seced. States on
behalf of the Union. One the other of these
courses he should lose no time in adopting, sim
ply because every day lost renders less possible
the success of either. If he decides to enforce
the laws, let him call Congress together, and
demand the means of doing it. If he decides
upon peace, let him proclaim his purpose
| and seek at the confidence and favor of
the people whom he desires TO win. Let him
| first disarm the fears of war which now
unite by outward pressure, the Southern people
and then let him proceed to organize Union par
ty in every Southern State, and to strengthen and
encourage it by all the legitimate means at his
disposal. WHY has Sam Houston of Texas, been
| left to fight the battle of the Union alone-with
out q word of encouragement, or promise OF
man dollar from the Government at Wash
ington? Why have the Union men in Louisiana
been abandoned without an effort, to the despot.
ism of the minority which has usurped control of
their atfairsI Why have the noble hearted cham
pions of the Union and the Constitution in Vir-
! gina and Tennessee and Kentucky, been ignored
utterly in the use of Executive patronage and in
all the public action of the Federal Government!
Simply, in our judgment, because the administra-
ton has decided upon no means of meeting the
secession movement-because it has no Policy
1t is going on blindly-living from hand to mouth
trusting in the chances of the future for deliv-
erance from present and impending perils.
We trust this period of indecisiOn, of inaction,
of fatal indifference, will have speedy end. IN
less it does, we may bid farewell to all hope of
saving the Union from destruction and the coun
try from anarchy. A mariner might as well face
the tempest without compass helm, as an adj
minstration put to sea amid such storms as now
darken our skies, without clear anddchnite plan
President Lincoln for the dispersion of the dark
mystery that hangs over our public affairs. The
people want something to be decided on-some
standard raised-some policy put forward, which
shall serve as rallying point for the abundant
but discouraged loyalty of the American heart.
In a great crisis like this. there is no policy so
fatal as that of having no policy at all.
1t is evident that the Administration is not
equal to the emergency-to the circumstances in
which the country is placed. Mr.. LINCOLN has
no policy. He is a mere novice in craftsmanship.
His administration commenced with an unpardon-
able blunder. As it is said of the Bourbons, he
neither learns nor forgets A revenue system is
adopted, borrowed from old Whiggery, prejudicial
to the interests of large majority of even the
Northern States, and which at once arrays against
his administration the sympathes and interests OF
European Governments. Could more fatal
error have been made? And more than that, the
blunder is persisted in. 1t seems as though SEW
ARD, LINCOLN & Co. were bound to ALLEVIATE the
loyalty of our own citizens and the alliances OF
the leading Powers of the Old World.
The issue of slavery is no longer discussed
where it has been an absorbing theme. Com
Ill
when philanthropy and trade are placed in the
| balances the former kicks the beam. What say
the English journals, the great opponents of Brit
ish sentiment? The London Telegraph says mot
withstanding all the sympathy for the free States
we cannot suffer our industry to be cut up by the
roots in order that slaveholding faction may
| be prostrated,' And it adds France and Eng
land will no doubt combine to thwart the Cabinet
at Washington in any efforts it may undertake to
coerce the cotton States by shutting them off from
the trade of Europe" And in reviewing the sug-
gestion of Mr.. LINCOLN in favor of blockading
the Southern ports, the Telegraph says: we
can not afford to see the Southern ports blockaded
for month, week, a day. If Mr. LINCOLN at
tempts to blockade them, the European laws of
blockade will be put in force, and the navy of the
republic will be at once powerless upon the seas
The other London papers are equally emphatic
in reiterating these sentiments. The Times says
'instead of ignoring the secession of the South
and determining to treat it as non auenu, the
President ought to recognize it as reality
and she is rendering an evil service to
his country if he does not deal with
things as they are, instead as they ougot to be- "
And in reference to the prospects of reunion il
adds: at is difficult to believe that such re-
union can take place; il is difficult to believe that
it is even desired. The South has shown no sign
of any wish to return any terms into the Con-
federacy it has left; and the North has employed
the short interval of secession to raise up a new
barrier against re union in the shape of an lib
eral tariff all the benefits of which will be on one
side and all the burthens on the other
In view of all these facts, can it be said that
Mr.. LINCOLN has any policy which looks to re-
union? The administration seems determined to
prevent reunion, as the Times remarks, by raising
a barrier which will confirm the division, and dis
satisfy the great agricultural interests of the
North. If it can be said Mr.. LINCOLN has any
policy, it is to ALLEVIATE the two sections of the
country, and enlist in behalf of the Confederate
States the sympathies and aid if necessary, of all
the European Governments.
Circumstances will soon force policy upon
the Administration. 1t can not much longer
evade the issue. 1t must be met, but we fear
from the INDIGESTION thus far manifested it will be
too late to avert the evils which seem to be upon
he country and which "A wise and firm policy
might have prevented.
The Adm nistratiOu Mode of COnclI.
iafiOn.
The appointment of the great high priest of
Abotionism the Ohio Western Reserve
JOSHUA X. GrDDINGs-to the responsible and u-
cratiye post of Consul General to the British
Provinces, is justly regarded by the Southern
press as giving practical denial to all the pro-
| LESSONS of Cancellation and peace that have been