Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-03-31
JEFFERSON.

shall not here invade the arena Of political
discussion. 1 shall not advance the views of the
partisan; but the general principles which affect
nations welfare. and the vicious results of dis
eased opin ous which assail the fundamental laws
and virtues of a free people are not unworthy of
mention on the most solemn and exalted occa-
sions. No interest that appertains merely to earth
IS Of such sublime consequence to the American
as the maintenance Of his brthught in the equal
enjoyment of legal liberty. | shall endeavor to
point out .he real danger to that birthright and
the arch enemy 10 that sacred enjoyment. The
rapid grOuth Of the country, the increasing aven-
1es to wealth and promotion, the vast number Of
internal ard external questions of policy, the DO
liticaI revDlutions which sweep over the nation,
presenting endless and overwhelming temptations
70 call for h the worst passions Of men, have all
combined 10 beget that most dangerous and re-
voIting pest 20 human society and foe to public
peace and virtue-THE sEDITIoUs CITIZEN. Within
that phrase IS embraced In the nature of the evil
with which the friends Of the American Union are
now asSailed. No open violence yet grasps at
unlawful power, no Caesar has crossed the Rubi-
con, but { le air grows dark with the elements of
sedition ind a vast conspiracy is gathering force
70 usnrp tlIe seats Of power az the Capitol over
the torn a1d dishonored fragments OF the Consti
tuition The seditious citizen gIories in the bill
lows Of popular fanaticism which roar around him
and reoics in sight of the fatal leeshOre on which
the Union Is drifting. No cry of horror escapes
his IiD. He rather jeers at the warning voice of
others. He seeks with insane fury 70 grasp with
his own hand the helm Of the vessel % hurl her
more swiftly and surely on to destruction He
PROCESSES 20 mock az calamity and laugh at fear.
IL would lie the first and most natural supposition
Of patrict's heart that such a citizen would sink
down powerless and despised victim to public
scofB
- - . .
and what vas written in the days Of Cieon and
Alcibiadess is made true IN American history. In
stead Of osaracsnl not the Ostracism Of the she'll
for is bar ishment fell on WOrthier class, bus the
ostracism Of strong contempt and abhorrenee. We
see the sedilious citizen receive the senatorial
robe, and from that high and once sacred emf
nence we hear him vex the ear Of the nation. he
Is not satisfied with his Government. He clam
ors Tor ch lnge. He does not boldly proclaim the
necessity ,f revolution or amendment TO the Con-
stiution- That would be too manly for his char
aeter he prefers TO plunder bis fellow citizens
Of their rights by false constructions and coward
Is evasioIs. y, q not content that peace add
frafernal &c. ~ - should remain an undisturee,,
inherits e..-3 descendants of those who lad
the Emf.s IS AZ the Union 10 love with cne
<n0tAer. Paio TIE paths Of danger or prob 70
con bAt I e D-s1 sesituTes- He i content % In
cite the deIad=6 disciples Of bis creed, to %rts-
is logical and nevirbIe results to the exIss u
blood anil civii war, out that is not part a -
drama Of se6nion in which he personally APP
pears. In order 10 establish unkind re-