Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-08-11
UNION DEuOCwaTuC PLATFORM

WHEREAS, The Democratic party having, from |
the date of its organization, been in favor OF the
maintenance of the Uni n aud the preservation
the Constitution. and seeing in the present cOndi
ton OF the country the deplorable effects of
departure from it, time honored and conservative
principles, and the triumph of sectionalism; and
firmly believing that the Union and the Consttu-
ton EN- be preserved alone by the restoration OF
that party to power, we invite all true Union men
throughout the land to unite with US in sustaining
its organization and carrying out its principles:
Therefore,
hesoiued. |. That we reaffrm and endorse the
political principles that from time TO time have
been put forth by the National Conventions of
the Democratic party.
> That we are unalterably attached to the
Constitution. by which the Union of these States
was formed and established; and that faithful
observance of its principles can alone continue
the existence of the Union, and the permanent
happiness of the people.
3. That the present civil war has mainly re
suited from the long continued, unwisc. and ia
natical agitation in the North. OF the question of
domestic slavery, the consequent organization OF
geographical party, guided by the sectional
platforms adopted at Buffalo. Pittsburgh, Phila-
delphia. and Chicago. and the development there
by of sectional hate and jealousy, producing (as
had long been ioreseen and predicted by us) its
counterpart in the South of secession, disunion,
and armed resistance 10 the General Government,
and terminating in "A bloody strife between those
who should have been forever bourd together by
lratcrual bonds. thus bringing upon the whole
country IA calamity which we are now to meet
loyal citizens. STRIVING for the adoption OF that
mode of settlement best calculated to again re
store union and harmony
L. That in rejecting all propositions likely To
result IL a satisfactory adjustment OF the matters
in dispute between the North and the South. and
especially those measures which would have SO
cured the border slave States To the Union. and
hearty operation on their part in all constitu
liona and legal measures to procure return of
the more Southern States To their allegiance. the
Republican party assumed fearful response
bty, and acted in total disregard of the best IN
terests OF the whole country.
.. That it the party in power had shown the
same desire to settle. by amlcable adjustment,
our internal discussions before hostities had
tually commenced, that the Administration has
recently exhibited To avoid n war with our an
cent enemy. Great Britain, confidently be
lieve that peace and harmony would now reign
throughout all our borders.
g. That the maintenance of the Union upon
the principles ot the Federal Constitution should
be the controlling object of all who profess 10y
atty to the Government-and in our judgment
this purpose can only be accomplished, by the
ascendency of Union party in the Southern
States. which shall. bv a counter revolution, dis
place those who control and direct the present re-
bellion. That no effort TO create sustain such
party can be successful which is not based upon
definite settlement of the questions ut issue be
tween the two sections; and we therefore demand
that some such settlement be made by additional
constitutional guaranty. either initiated by act of
Congress through the medium of National
Convention.
I. That the Republican party has fully demon
ef..
through its present difficulties.
/ z. That we are utterly opposed to the twin
heTesies, Northern sectionalism and Southern
secession, A. inimical to the Constitution; and
/ that freemen. they value the boon of civil lib
! ertv ANA the peace of the country. should frown
Indignantly upon them.
9. That i'm this national emergency the Democ-
racy of Indiana banishing all feeling OF passion
and resentment. Will recollect only their duty TO
the whole country; that this war should not be
waged in the spirit of conquest or subjugati,'H,
nor for the purpose of overshrowing or interi r
ing with the rights Institutions of the States.
but TO defend and maintain the supremacy OF the
! Constitution, and 10 preserve the Union with all
the dignity. equality and rights OF the several
States uuimpared: and that as soon a. these Oh
jects are accomplished the war ought 20 cease
TO- That we will sustain. with all our energies,
a war for the maintenance ofthe Constitution, and
OF tue integrity ~ tue I htOu 1Hotf etr So"StSa
hOR but we opposed TO awar for the emanci
patton of the negroes, or the subjugation OF the
Southern States
IL That the purposes ayOsei and advocated
bv the Northern disuniOnists, TO lberate and arm
the negro slaves, IS unconstitutional. insulting TO
loyal citizens disgrace 10 the age, is calculated
10 rctari the suppression Of the ebelon ana meets
our unqualified condemnation.
II. That the total disregard of the writ OF ha-
beas corpus by the authorities over us. aud the
seizure and Imprisonment of the citizens of loyal
States where the judiciary is in full operation,
without warrant OF law and without assigning any
cause giving to the party arrested any opPortu-
nifty OF defense are aagrant violations of the Con