The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1862-01-23

Is it the honor of The nation? The
surrender of Mason and Slidell tells us,
that we have, for the first time in our his
tory, bent the knee to our ancient foe.
The times never SO demanded thor
eugh and efficient organization of the
Democratic party as at the present. Throw
out the banner, aud upon its ample folds
let the people see inscribed their time
houored principles, and they will gladly
rally around it, as of yore.
A civil war is upon US. For its exist
ence the Democratic party is not respon-
sible. For many years we have admon
ished those who favored a sectional party
of its danger--iu the sentiments Of Wash
ington's farewell address. that the great
est danger to be apprehended 10 our coun-
try, was the formation of geographical
parties--we have advocated those doc.
trines which we believe fair and equal to
all sections: and which could have been
adopted without woundiug the pride, or
stimulating the Arrogance of either Our
appeals were disregarded. Sectional pride.
prejudice. and hatred in one section pro.
duced the same sentiments in the other;
and of this sectional strife was begotten
our present troubles. The war is upon us
-'wickedly provoked on The one side, and
in folly and sin. and without sufficient
cause, commenced on the other With
secession upon the one hand. and section
al interference with Southern rights upon
the other. we hold no sympathy. Our
most earnest desire is for the restoration
of the Union, upon the basis of the Con
stitution, and, for myself, will give an
honest support to all constitutional and
proper measures. adopted by the Admins
tration TO that end: and will as earnestly
oppose all acts in violation Of the consti-
tuition. and in suppression of liberty, be
cause OF my veneration for that solemn
compact Of our fathers. and because such
policy renders the Union impossible, by
obliteraling the Union sentiment Of the
South, and giving aid and comfort to its
enemies.
What are we to do with the negroes Of
the South, in connection with the war, is
asked upon every hand Before answer
ing that, let me ask, for what purpose is
the war waged? If, as the President does
profess. and the soldiers in the field be-
Iieve, 1t Is To suppress rebellion, TO re-
store the Union, and est blish tho Con
stitution and the supremacy of the laws.
then | answer, with the negro slave and
his condition, we haze nothing to do;
nothing whatever, either as n purpose. in
cident or consequence of The war. If the
Constitution be restored, in It's authority,
over all the States, then the Constitution
itself refers the condition of the colored
race to the authority of the States, and by
its own provisions excludes Federal juris
diction. But beyond that. how is the ne
gro to be made an element Of strength for
the suppression Of the rebellion? Cam
eron, and his supporters of the Republican
party say. put arms in their hands. For
what purpose? Are there not as many
men in the North ready to fight as we can
arm and feed and clothe and pay? Or is
it true. that outnumbering the South, near
ly as three TO one, the North falters and
fails an 1 must call the negro to the rescue?
[ would call upon my countrymel to visit
with universal Indignation aud scorn the
miscreant who entertains SO base an opir-
ion Of Northern strength. and Northern
courage. Ignorant Of the use of arms.
and lacking those high intellectual and
moral qualities, that make the efficient
soldier. the negro can win no battles where
the men Of the North are driven back.
What General would 90 into battle trust
ing to black regiments for his strength?
and what regiment, made up of the proud
men of Indiana, would stand in battle,
where they must lean for support upon
armed negroes?
Another class, too cowardly to fight.
and too malevolent to be gratiiied by the
results Of civilized warfare, demand car
nival of blood. aad feast Of horrors. amid
scenes Of servie msurrection. Our faith
ers detested the foe that would incie the
J forest savage to scenes Of midnight mas
sacre. and the Judgment OF enlightened
and civilized humanity condemns an ap.
! peal to the cupidity or lust of the soldery
Shall we. then. who have in keeping the
, honorable memories of our fathers; who
are amenable to the judgment of the civil
lied nations, shall we invoke to our aid
E the negroes of the South. calling up the
5 foul spirit Of instruction, and making in
t discriminate and uncontrolled war upor
, men. women, and children. amid scenes
8 too horrible to be described, and toe
Q wicked to bring a blessing. As | believe