Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-05-19
An Advance Plank i'm the Platform of
the So-ceIled Union Party.

the So-c>Iled Union Party.
The Ohio Statesman says: There is no doubt
JOSHUA r. GIDDINGs is a man Of more power and
authority in the so-called Union party than
ABRAHAM LINCOLN 1t is true that he has not
offices and patronage to bestow. and it is not
power and authority in that sense of which we
speak. But he promugates the creed of the
party, and mobiles it to suit the changing cir
cumstances that surround US.
His bulletins are sometimes, when promulgated,
considered rash, and thew are not unfrequently
denounced by those who finally drop in the rear
and help to put them through Mr.. GIDDINGs
has given tone and sentiment to the Abolition
party, for which the so called Union party is only
another name. And every dogma, no matter
how unpalatable it may at first have been, which
Mr. GIDDISGs has put forward. has finally re-
ceived the seal and appreciation of his party
even to the abolition of slavery in the District of
Columbia.
That old fanatic has just put forth another
proclamation in which he lays down new plank
in the creed of his party. and one which it will
finally adopt, unless the people, put their heels
upon its neck and hurl it from power, which we
think will be the case as soon as the opportunity
is given at the ballot box.
In a recent number of the Ashtabula Sentinel
Mr. GlDDINGs has a letter over his own signature,
addressed to -. J. ELLwELL. Assistant Quarter
master General, U. 5. A." now on duty at Beau
fort, South Carolina. In referring in this letter
to the Carolina negroes, Mr.. GIDDISes says:
would call your attention to the fact that the
Government which has so long oppressed them,
has abandoned them altogether. Congress can
agree upon no legislative action in their favor.
and they are now placed precisely in the same
condition in which the people of California found
themselves A. D., lS49. They are ieith0ut any
government.
Nothing is, or can be clearer to my mind than
that it is the duty of these people, at once to form
Government for themselves. Indeed, they
have ever had the right to alter or abolish the
| Government of South Carolina according to the
Declaration Of Independence, but that Govern
ment having abolished itself and left the loyal
people without Government, there can be donbt
as to the right or duty OF these loyal people to
re organize the governmental powers of that
State in such form to them shall appear most
likely to secure their interests and happiness. Do
not, however understand me adopting the doc
trine of the Democratic party, by declaring that
they may form their own domestic institutions in
their own way, by enslaying other persons. They
may consult their own interest and happiness, but
they must not invade the rights of others. They
must not enslave their former masters; but they
may govern themselves.
Now. sir, / suggest that the greatest service
which YOU and other philanthropists, public Off
GERS and teachers can do your country, or man
kind, is at once to rally these people to the form
alton of State Government, or, if you please, tC
re-organize the old State Government OF Soutt
Carolina. Let a day be agreed upon at once
let these people elect good aud loyal men TO then
legislature. When elected. let them convene
authorize convention to amend the Constitution
Let free Constitution be adopted and in ninety
DAYS OF before Congress will again convene, lie
US have free, aid loyal State Government il
full operation, just as we had in California.
This will inspire the emancipated people Il
obey their own laws, to eiucate their children, {,
acquire knowledge and become useful. 1t viii
silence that constant inquiry of conservatives
"What will you do with them when freer
These people must remain where they are to sup
ply us with cotton. Every European nation nov
demands that they shall exercise their rights al
men, shall cultivate the soil. and supply the peo
pie of other countries with its products, thus con
tihuting to the wealth, the comfort and the ele
walton of the human family; while all Christian
nations will protest against the removal of thes'
from their homes. from the land of their birth
their childhood and youth, from the place wher,
they will be most useful to themselves and Il
mankind.
1t is to be observed that Mr.. GIDDISGs holds
prominent Office under the Administration, tn
duties OF which he does not discharge, his salar,
being for his support, We suppose. while he goe
about rallying the advance guard of the Adolf
ton party. and promulgatng every new plank il
their creed.
Unless the people meet this new scheme prompt
ly; put down and tramp under foot its authors
we may expect to see Government put in opera
ton in South Carolina by the slaves Of that State
and ebony Senators and Representatives in Con
gress sent to it from Washington. and there ad
IDitted to seats in the halls OF the National Leg
islatnre.
Mr. GDDISGs's plan. as above enunciated, j
no doubt the plan of the leaders-the men of in
duence in this nhw party-and as such the PEG
pie should consider il and act accordingly.