Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-03-20

maintenance Of the Union and the prcservatsono o
the Constitution. and seeing in The prcscn- condi
ron OF the country ths deplorsble effects Of .
departure from - tine honorcd and conservative
principles. and the triumph Of scctiorslisr: ard
firmly believing that the Union and he Constitu-
ton can be preserved alone by The restoration OF
that party 70 power, we invite ell true Union men
throughout the land % unite with us in sustaining
IL organization and carrying out its principles:
Therefore.
political principles that from time % time have
been put forth by the National Conventions Of
the DemOcraiic party.
= That ne are unalterably attached % the
Constitution. by which the Union Of these States
was formed and established: and that faithful
observance Of rs principles can 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. anwise. and ia
nAtcal agitation, in the North. of the question Of
domestic slavery, the consequent organization of
a geographical party. guided by the sectional
platforms adopted az 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 u.s. its
counterpart in the South Of secession. disunion.
and armed resistance 70 the General Government.
and'termnatng in bloody strife between those
fraternal 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.
A. That ia rejecting all propositions likely 20
result in n 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 he Union, and
hearty operation on their part in all constitu-
tiOnal and legal measures 20 procure q return of
the more Southern States 10 their allegiance. The
Republican party assumed fearful responsi.
bility and acted in total disregard of the best in
terests OF the whole country.
>. That II the party in power had shown the
same desire 90 settle by amicabe adjustment
our internal dissensions before hostilities had &C
tually commenced. that the Administration has
recently exhibited to avoid a 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 ~ all who profess 10y
atty 70 the Government-and in our judgment
this purpose 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 20 create or sustain such
a party can be successful which i not based upon
definite settlement Of the questions at issue he
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.
Z. That the Republican party has fully demon
strated It's inability TO conduct the Government
through its present difficulties.
:. That we are utterly opposed 10 the twin
hereses. Northern sectionalism and Southern
secession, 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. banishng all feeling of passion
and resentment. will recollect only their duty TO
the whole country; that this war should not be
waged in the spirit of conquest or subiugati.pn
nor for the purpose of overthrowing or interfer-
ing with the rights or institutions of the States.
but to defend and maintain the supremacy of the
Constitution, and 10 preserve the Union with all
the dignity. equality and rights of the several
States unimpaired and that these OBJ
lects are accomplished the war ought 10 cease.
10. That we will sustain. with all our energies,
war for the maintenance ofthe Constitution, and
OF the integrity OF the Union under the Consfifu-
fon but we opposed 60 a war fof the emanci-
patton of the negroes, or the subjugation of the
Southern States. f
H. That the purposes avowed and advocated
by the Northern dsunionsts, 10 liberate and arm
the negro slaves. is unconstitutional, insulting 20
loyal citizens, 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-
teos corpus by the authorities over ", 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 ofdeiense are hagrsnt violations of the Con-
siitutlon 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 ie liberty and
property.
l3 That liberty of speech ana. of the press are
guaranteed TO the people by the Constitution and
none but usurper would deprive them Of these
rights; they inestimabe to the citizen and
formidable to tyrants only. And the attempts
which have been made since present unforfu-
nate troubles, to muzzle the press and siide free
discussion 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, aud
so legal or else in violation OF such law. and so
ultpdl- III tIe FORMER, we lament tnat uatlOu
has been Inundated by their surrender, under a
threat; If the latter. il was the duty Of the Ad.
ministration at once 20 have dsavowed the act Of
their officer and instead Of incarcerating the cap
tyes IN Fort Warren. 20 have Immediately re.
paired the wrong by placing them. a. far as prac
tcable in the same condition Ia which that off
Ger had found them In either event the action
Of the Administration was vacillating land COW
ardly. and degrading to the dignity Of great na
ton.
10. That the action of the Republican party.
as manifested in the partisan character Of all ap-
pointments Of the Administration TO civil Office:
and. in holding party caucases by the Republican
members Of Congress for the purpose ofimpressing
upon the legislative acton Of that body the peculiar
dogmas of that party. have demonstrzfed 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
by which they hope 70 dupe the unwary into their
support; and We warn all loyal persons. n they
love their country. not 20 be deceiyed thereby.
10 That the disclosures made by the invest
eating committee in Congress Of the enormous
frauds that have stalked into the ARM aud navy
departments, duplicating the heads Of those de
pa.tments In a connivance at. IL not an actual
participation in system Of corruption, and in
which our brave soldiers have been derauded of
their proper supplies. and our Government threat,
ened with bankruptcy, demands thorough in.
- II