Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-11-24
For the Daily State Sentinel
The Right Use of victory.


comes the friends of rational liberty to consider
earnestly and carefully the practical use to be
made Of the moral and political power thus ac
quired. Upon right determination of this ques-
ton depends the full accomplishment of the work
OF our country's salvation so happily begun. By
the right use of victory the lawful authority OF
the Government of the Union may be restored
and maintained; the prerogatives and privileges
Of the States may be asserted, and the rights and
liberties of individual citizens may be protected
and thus the dignity of American citizenship vim
dicated
The grand element of weakness and mbe-
cility in the measures hitherto taken for the res
toration and maintenance Of the Federal au-
thority, is the perversion of everything to the
purposes and interest of political party. The
one thing needful in this matter, therefore is the
direction and application of all measures to the
welfare of the whole country. Military affairs
have, in all their ramifications, been Of a make
believe character, and have been made contribu-
try TO the political and pecuniary objects of the
Abolition party; and il is essential TO the strength
and success of the military arm. that henceforth
the simple and earnest purpose should be TO ac-
complish the objects specifically announced in
the Inaugural Address of the present Chief
Magistrate-the enforcement of Federal authori-
ty, the collection Of Federal dues, and the recov-
cry and holding of Federal property. Diplo-
matte affairs have been managed a Northern
interest, hostile 10 foreign nations, with view
to the dissolution of the Union as the ultimate
result of the contest for the purpose of confning
the Union within such limits as might secure
some chance for the continued ascendancy of
the Abolition party; and it is essential TO a sound
and successful diplomacy. that it should hence
forth be conducted as national, rather than sec
tional interest, and with an honest view to the
permanence and integrity of the American Ulion.
Financial affairs have been managed with
view to the profit of partisan pensioners upon the
treasury, TO the displacement (for party ends) of
the constitutional currency and the currency of
the States by an immense mass OF Federal paper
money, and to the favoring of those sections and
those branches of business which we're likely to
aid the Abolition party and it is absolutely essen
tia to a sound system of finance, that the dis
bursement of Government means the nature and
credit of the currency and the mode of imposing
taxes and duties, should be made consistent with
and promOtive OF the welfare of the people of the
whole United States. Political affairs have been
managed upon the principle of so using or abusing
the powers OF Government and so treating the
constitutional rights of States and individuals as
to give sense of security and immunity to the
adherents of the favored party, and to strike the
minds os all others with a servile fear which
should silence criticism and complaint: and il is
essential to a sound and successful political pol
icy, that the powers of Government should be
welded for the common good in subseryng to
all the States and of ali individuals should be re-
garded with scrupuous care, whether their poti-
cal opinions right in the sight of Horace
Greeley or not
The people have by their recent action made
distinct demand for these changes in the ad-
ministratiOn of public affairs, and they will soon
be in a situation to give the demand a practical
and effective shape. They will soon become an
element Of power in the popular branch of the
national legislature, and will be able to modify
the military, diplomatic, financial and political
operations of the Government. They may, by
and by, enhance their power there by just and
judcious berality towards those States which
may wish TO return to their duty and take part in
the national councils. When by the peoples in
huence. the desired change has been effected and
not till then, the authority of the Government
will be restored to its lost standing throughout
the entire limits OF the Union; the people will
again be truly sovereigns; public officers will be
subjected to a strict accountability; the depart
ments will be confined to their legitimate limits;
the civil power will be paramount to the military;
the judiciary will be able 10 exercise its process
aud its DEGREES; the Executive will promulgate
more imperial edicts; Congress will enact no
more laws unwarranted or prohibited by the Con-
stitutiOn and will annul existing statutes of such
pernicious stamp and efforts 30 save the ship of
state will not be commenced by throwing over
board the fundamental law. the chart and COM
PISS of the Government.
Again, the prerOgatves and privileges of the
States may now be successfully asserted. The
war has been used as a pretext for placing all
the States under martial law, for appointing over
them prOvost-marshals and military governors,
for interfering with their domestic affairs and
for depriving the persons, liberties or property of
the inhabitants of the protection Of the local
laws. The course of diplomacy has been such
as to create AN apparent necessity for the States
to submit to these infringements of their char
tered rights for a time. in order to preserve the
harmony and unity of the country, in defending
the national honor and independence The ma
tioual finances have been directed to the point of
discrediting and breaking down the local cur
rency and financial independence of the State
governments. The political powers have been
prosttuted to the purposes of centralizing and
despotc system adverse to the political rights of
States and the civil rights OF their people
The States may now question the validity of
the extension of martial law over them, the legal
authority of provost marshals and military gov
ernors and of the lawful power of the Govern.
ment of the Union TO disturb their system of do
mestic order; they may no longer consent to ap-
pear to approx of proceedings derogatory to their
dignity as sovereign States; they may insist that
the local currency. upon which the material pros
petty and financial ability of the States so much
depend, shall not be impaired and dscredited by
the hostile policy of the Federal Government; and
they may venture 10 extend the protecting 8gS
of State authority over those inhabitants who are
exposed to illegal invasions by Federal officials
of the liberties of speech. the press, the person.
and the other rights protected by the State
thCrites. Though the States will endure much
for the sake of the harmonious prosecution of
measures for the restoration of the Union, they
cannot be expected to submit long to the utter
denial of all their rights constituent and equal
members of the common Government.
Finally the honor and dignity of American
citizenship will, by these means, at length receive
an ample vindcation. Under the dispensation of
policy whose maxim is, "The safety of the peo-
pie the supreme law" there has been no such
thing tolerated as a manly, intellectual independ-
ence. But the mandate OF the people will soon
change all that The tongue will be unlOosed-
the pen will be liberated-the press will be unfet
tered The rights of conscience and intellect will
be restored Arrest and mnrsoDment by due
process OF law, and trial by jury, will take the
place of arrest and Imprisonment by telegram,
and trial and discharge by minion of the War
Department The courts of law will resume
their wonted authority and majesty, aDd those
who have insulted and despised them will be
brought 10 account. But all these desirable
things will not intoxicate the brain of the true
friend of his country, whose mouth has been
sealed or whose body has been incarcerated by
Federal tyranny. His entire department will be
marked by moderation and forbearance. While
he will approve of the visitation OF the penalties
of the law upon those who have dishonored it
and tranipled il in the dust, so far as its neces
sary vindcation may require. he will not, will
lngly see aught done in malice or revenge.
Extending generous toleration and patience to
those who have been misled aud deluded. he ,sill,
in the dav of the neoples poWer accord TO all