Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-10-07

W hen IN power. thrf auuIDieIeFed ibc tof-
eminent upon the policy of a majority Of the
whole country. When in opposition they
spoke for minority Of the whole country.
They were loyal because they were national.
The Union was safe, because they were loyal.
Their success was harmless to the Constitu-
ton. because it was the defeat of constitu-
tional party, and not OF the spirit of the Con-
stifution itself.
The defeat Of the Democratic party in 1860
has been followed by the revolt Of several of
the States from the Union, and BY the present
terrible ciyl war, because il was defeated by
a sectional party. We reprobate that revolt,
as unnecessary, unjustifable, unholy. Devo-
ted to the Constitution, we invoke the VEN
geance of God upon all who raise their sacrc-
bgious hands against il, whether wearing the
soft gloves of peace or the bloody gauntlets
of war. But we affirm that the revolt and
consequent civil war were long foretold and
probable result of the accession TO power of
a sectional party, because their success was
the defeat of the spirit of the Constitution.
In so vast union OF States, of such differ
ing interests, habits and institutions, the dam
ger OF sectional parties to the peace and per-
manence to the Union, was early foreseen by
the fathers Of the Constitution. The Father
OF his Country, himself, gave voice to these
apprehensions in his Farewell Address in
1896. He passed eulogium upon the Union,
which no tongue or pen has since improved.
He urged the "unity of the Government
which constitutes us one people" He inn
pressed upon the nation, that it was a mann
pillar in the edifce of our real independence;
the support of our tranquility at home; OF our
power abroad, of our safety, of our prosperi-
fy, of the very liberty which we so highly
prize In spirit of prophecy, he cautioned
the people and their posterity against the
dangers it might encounter, and with his
parting words invoked them indignantly to
frown upon the first dawning of every attempt
to ALLEVIATE any portion OF our country from
the rest or to enfeeble the sacred ties which
now linked together the various parts" He
enlarged upon the mutual dependence Of the
various parts of the country, North and South,
East and West; he warned US against parties
founded on geographical Determinations
whence designing men may endeavor to ex-
cite belief that there is a real difference of
local interests and views" He foretold that
zone OF the expedients of party is to acquire
influence within particular districts, is to mis-
represent the opinions and aims of other dis
tTlCic. lOIcWdlntu u- tldt We tOulu
not shield ourselves too much against the
jealousies and heart-burnings which would
spring from these misrepresentation, which
tend to render aliens to each other, those who
ought to be bound together by fraternal affec-
ton" Fearful prophecy, fearfully fulfilled!
How the great spirit Of the illustrious Wash
ington would have mourned had he been able
to foresee the full and terrible measure of the
danger he foretold. the insane and terrible
disregard of his holy advice which has accom-
plishcd it.
There was no reason why the several States
OF the Union should not have abided together
in harmony for all time. Their domestic in
stitutions, their social condition, and their
habits of life, differed indeed from the begin
ming. And, in the language of General
Jackson, ..this difference was unavoidably in
creased by the varying principles upon which
the American colonies were originally planted;
principles which had taken deep root in their
social relations before the revolution, and
therefore, of necessity, influencing their policy
since they become free and Independent
States" The progress of all the States was
great, but frequently in different directions.
But the Constitution left to the several States
the exclusive control of their domestic con-
Germs; and had the spirit of Constitution pre-
vailed differences of domestic institutions
would never have disturbed the peaceful re-
lations OF the States in the Union. The
slavery of the African race formed from the
beginning the most important and dangerous
of these differences. The Constitution was
compact of compromises, and in no instance
more wisely or generously so than in relation
to the institution of slavery. And had the
several States OF Union added in their poll
tics by that necessary and magnanlmous spirit
of compromise. the Union would now be I'M
disturbed, and ancient harmony and prosper
ity would reign where civil war now RACES.
Fanaticlsm is the bane OF harmony. 1t
has disturbed many States and overturned
many governments. 1t isone of the most diff
cult social evils to deal with. 1t is growth of
prosperity, and yet gains strength under per-
secution. Ii often appeals to the most gener-
Gus preiudices OF humanity: it often wears the
garb of religion and morality it has wonder
full powers of proselytism; it has great capaci-
ties to make wrong look like right, and to deck
errors in the robes of truth. II is a terrible
apostle of evil. Dscord follows its lead, and
revolution too often is the end of its career.
Unfortunately, among many elements of
good and greatness, fanaticism emigrated to
this country. From time to time, it has played
Its part in marr1ng tina record of civil and re-
Egious liberty in American history. 1t has,
from time to time, sent forth various heretical
dogmas OF politics. 1t has asserted higher
law, above the Constitution itself. 1t has in
recent memorable words, sought to do in the
name of God what could nos be done in the
name of the Constitution.
1t finally found employment fatal to the
peace of the country in political abolition.
The North had rid itself OF the incubus OF
slavery. The North was as responsible for
slavery in the South, as the South itself is.
But fanaticism became offended with Southern
slavery; and overlooking home evils and home
reforms, it devoted itself to the discussion OF
the evils of African slavery, clamoring against
its criminality and urging its abolition. Ii
disregarded the Constitution, and denounced
its guarantees of the rights of slavery as a
compact of sin and shame. Many OF its
teachers openly advocated disunion and
many more proclaimed an irrepressible con-
flict between the domestic systems of the
North and the South. arguing that the States
of the Union must become all free or all slave
These dangerous and revolutionary doc
trines have always been combatted by the
Democratic party. The Democracy has no
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