Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-04-16

UNION DEuoC8ATuC PLATFORM.
..u~~~, ~ srxxu cc.vxxs1os sxxvAss. a. 1ss1
wu.rxs. The Democratic party having, from
the date Of its organization, been IN favor OF the
mainteuance Of the Unioo and the pre>crvationo
the Consultation. and seeing in the present condi
ton Of the country the deplorahe effects Of
depnsture from its time honored AMI conservative
principles, and the triumph Of secsionslism; and
firmly believing that the Union and the Constitu-
ton can Be preserved alone BY the restoration Of
that party 70 power. We invite all true Union men
throughout the land to unite with u in sustaining
il organization and carrying out lie principles:
Therefore,
R<ssfsed. I. That We rcafhrm and endorse the
pclitica! principles that from time 20 time have
been put forth by the National Conventions OF
the Democratic party.
q That we are unatersbIy attached 70 the
Constitution. by which the Union Of these States
was formed and established and that a faithful
observance Of it, principles alone continue
the existence Of the Union, and the permanent
happiness Of the people
3. That the present civil war has mainly
suited from the long continued. unwise. and ia
nstcai agitation, in the North, of the question OF
domestic slavery, the consequent organization OF
a geographical party. guided by the sectional
platforms adopted at Buffalo. Pittsburgh, Phila-
delphia, and Chicago and the development there
by Of sectional hate and JEALOUSY. producing (as
had long been foreseen and predicted by rs) it,
counterpart In the South Of secession, disunion,
and armed resistance 10 the General Government,
and terminating in a bloody strife between those
who should have been forever bound together by
fraterrIal bonds, thus bringing upon the whole
country calamity which we are now TO 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 to
result in satisfactory adjustment of the matters
In dispute between the North and the South and
especially those measures which would have
cured the border slave States to the Union, and
hearty cooperation on their part in all constitu-
tional and legal measures 10 procure return of
the more Southern States TO their allegiance, the
Republican party assumed a fearful response
bility. and acted in total disregard of the best in
tere-ts of the whole country.
5. That If the party In power had shown the
same desire TO settle, by amcable adjustment.
internal Discussions before hostilities had
tually commenced that the Administration has
recently exhibited to avoid with
cient enemy. Great Britain, we confidently be
leve that peace and harmony would reign
throughout ali our borders.
b. 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 our judgment
this purpose only be accomplished, by the
ascendency of Union party in the Southern
States, which shall, bv a counter revolution. dis
place those who control and direct the present
beIlion. That effort TO create sustain such
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 a National
Convention.
I. That the Republican party has fully demon
strated its inability TO conduct the Government
through its present difficulties.
3. That utterly opposed to the twin
hereses, Northern sectionalism and Southern
secession, nimical 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.
3. That in this national emergency the Democ-
racy of Indiana, banshing all feeling of passion
and resentment. will recollect only their duty to
the whole country that this should not be
waged in the spirit of conquest or subjugatijn
nor for the purpose of overthrowing or interfer-
ing with tie nights or 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 soon these OBJ
iects are accomplished the war ought to cease.
10. That we will sustain. with all our energies,
war for the maintenance of the Constitution, and
OF the integrity of the Union under the C0asfnu-
ton; but we are opposed TO a war for the emanci
patton Of the negroes, or the subjugaton of the
Southern States.
H. That the purposes avowed and advocated
by the Northern disunionsts, to liberate and arm
tie negro slaves. is unconstitutional, insulting to
loyal citizens a disgrace to the age, is calculated
TO rctard the suppression of the rebellion and meets
our unqualified condemnation.
IL That the total disregard of the writ of ha
beas 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 ofdefense, are fragrant violations of the Con
sttutlon and most alarming acts of usurpation of
power. which should receive the stern rebuke of
every lover of his country and of every who
prizes the security and blessings of life. liberty and
property.
- That liberty of speech anu Of the press are
guaranteed TO the people by the Constitution and
none but a usurper would deprive them of these
rights; they inestimable TO the citizen and
formidable to tyrants only. And the attempts
which have been made since our present unfortu.
nate troubles, 10 muzzle the press and stfe free
discussion. are exercises of despotc power against
which freedom revOlts and which can not be tole
rated without converting freemen into slaves
Ia. That the seizure of Slidel and Mason on
Board 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 nation
has been huriiliated by their surrender. under
threat; it the latter. il the duty of the Ad
ministraton Mt once 20 have disavowed the act of
their officer and instead of incarcerating fhe cap
tives in Fort Warren, to have Immediately
paired the wrong by placing them. as far as prac
ticable. in the same condition in which that Off
Ger had found them. In either event, the action
of the Administration was vaclatng band cow
ar,ily. and degrading to the dignity of great
fi0n.
-. That the action of the Republican party,
manifested in the partisan character OF all ap-
pontments of the Administration 10 civil office:
and. in holding party caucuses by the Republican
members of Congress for the purpose ofimpressing
upon the legislative action Of that body the peculiar
dogmas of that party. have demonstrated that their
professions OF sacrificing party platforms aud par
" organizations upon the altar of their country"
are but 50 many hypocritical and false pretences
by which they hope TO dupe the unwary into their
support; and all loyal persons. they
love their country, not to be deceived thereby.
10 That the disclosures made by the invest
eating committee in Congress of the enormous
frauds that have stalked into the army and navy
departments. duplicating the heads Of those de