Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-04-09
NUMBER 1856.
UNION DEMooRaruc PLArFoH N.
ADOPTED N a&rx cOsvksrioS sAsukxr, =, lss7.

Resolved. /. That we resifirm and endorse the
political principles that from time 10 time have
been put forth by the National Conventions OF
the Democratic party.
?. That we are unalterably attached 10 the
Constitution, by which the Union of these States
was formed and established: and that a faithful
observance of its principles 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. unwise. 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-
depha, and Chicago and the development there
by of sectional hate and JEALOUSY producing (as
had long been foreseen and predicted by u.s. it,
counterpart in the South of secession, disunion,
and armed resistance to the General Government,
and terminating in a bloody strife between those
who should have been forever bound together by
frateria bonds, thus bringing upon the whole
country calamity which We are now 10 meet as
loyal citizens striving for the adoption of that
mode of settlement best calculated 10 again re
store union and harmony.
4. That in rejecting all propositions likely 10
result in a satisfactory adjustment of the matters
in dispute between the North and the South. and
especially those measures which would have Sc
cured the border slave States to the Union. and
hearty operation on their part in all constitu-
tional and legal measures TO procure a return of
the more Southern States 20 their allegiance, the
Republican party assumed fearful response
bility and acted in total disregard of the best in
terests of the whole country.
5. That if the party in power had shown the
same desire TO settle, by amicable adjustment.
our internal dissensons before hostities bad
tually commenced, that the Administration has
recently exhibited to avoid a war with our an
cient enemy Great Britain, we confidently be
lieve that peace and harmony would now reign
throughout all our borders.
g. That the maintenance Of the Union upon
the principles of the Federal Constitution should
be the controlling object OF all who profess 10y
atty TO the Government-and in judgment
this purpose can only be accomplished, by the
ascendency of Union party in the Southern
States, which shall, bv counter revolution, dis
place those who control and direct the present
bellion. That no effort to create or sustain such
a party can be successful which is not based upon
definite settlement of the questions at 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 or through the medium of National
Convention.
l. That the Republican party has fully demon
strated its inability TO conduct the Government
through its present difficulties.
g. That are utterly opposed to the twin
heresies, Northern sectionalism and Southern
secession, as inimical to the Constitution: and
that freemen as they value the boon of civil lib
erty and the peace of the country, should frown
Indignantly upon them.
9. That in this national emergency the Democ
racy of Indiana, banishing all feeling of passion
and resentment, will recoect only their duty to
the whole country; that this war should not be
waged in the spirit of conquest or subiugatiJn,
nor for the purpose of overthrowing or interfer-
ing with the rights institutions of the States,
but TO defend and maintain the supremacy of the
Constitution, and to preserve the Union with all
! the dignity, equality and rights of the several
States unimpaired and that as soon as these OBJ
jects accomplished the ought TO cease.
10. That we will sustain, with all our energies
Il for the maintenance ofthe Constitution, and
oil the integrity of the Union under the Consfifu-
ti0n ; but we are opposed to awar for the emanci
patton of the negroes, or the subjugation of the
Southern States.
IL. That the purposes avowed and advocated
by the Northern disunionists to liberate and arm
the negro slaves, is unconstitutional insulting 10
loyal citizens, disgrace to the age, is calculated
to retard the suppression ofthe rebellion and
our unqualified condemnation.
H. That the total disregard of the writ of ha
6eas corpus by the authorities over US, and 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 hagant violations of the Con-
stitution and most alarming acts of usurpation of
power, which should receive the stern rebuke Of
every lover of his country and of every man who
prizes the security and blessings of ife liberty and
property.
| l3. That liberty of speech am. Of the press are
guaranteed to the people by the Constitution, and
none but usurper would deprive them Of these
| rights; they are inestimable to the citizen and
| formidable to tyrants only. And the attempts
which have been made since our present unfortu-
nate troubles, to muzzle the press and stihe free
discussion, are exercises of despotic power against
which freedom revolts and which can not be tole-
rated without converting freemen into slaves
IA. That the seizure of Slidell and Mason, on
board a neutral vessel, on the high seas, was
either in accordance with international law, and
so legal; or else in violation OF such law and so
| Illegal Ii the former, we lament that our nation
has been Inundated by their surrender, under a
! threat; il the latter il was the duty of the Ad
ministration ut once To have disavowed the act of
their officer, and instead of incarceratng the cap
tives in Fort Warren, to have Immediately re
paired the wrong by placing them, as far as prac-
| ticabe, in the same condition in which that off
Ger had found them. In either event, the action
OF the Administration was vaciatng land COW
ardly. and degrading to the dignity of great na-
[ ton.
ID. That the action of the Republican party,
manifested in the partisan character of all ap-
pointments of the Administration 20 civil Office;
and, in holding party caucuses by the Republican
members of Congress for the purpose ofimpressing
upon the legislative acton that body the peculiar
dogmas of that party. have demonstrated that their
professions OF sacrificing party platforms, and par
ty organizations upon the altar Of their country,
are but so many hypocritical and false pretences
hy which they hope to dupe the unwary into their
support: and we warn all loyal persons. as they
| love their country, not to be deceived thereby.
l6. That the disclosures made by the nvesti-
eating committee in Congress of the enormous
frauds that have stalked into the armv and navy
departments, duplicating the heads of those de-
partments in a connivance at. If not an actual
participation in system of corruption, and in
which our brave soldiers have been deirauded of
their proper supplies, and our Government threat
ened with bankruptcy. demands thorough in
vestigation into all our expenditures, both State
and National. and that speedy and marked ex-
ample be made Of all such birds Of prey" who,
taking advantage of the necessities OF our coun
try, have fed and fattened upon public plunder.
Resolued. That the merit0rious conduct OF the
Indiana troops. in every battle field where victory
has perched upon the national banner. has filled
the people Of this State with the highest graft
tude TO her gallant sons, and that We send our
best wishes 70 officers and men, dispersed through