Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-02-07
Democratic Union State Ticket.



= The Senate Of the United States has committed
a gross outrage upon constitutional rights in the
expulsion Of Mr. BRssHr froaa that body. There
il no justification for the unless II "a the high
wayman's plea that might makes right" The
Republican Senators had the power to expel a
Senator and they exercised il. not for any ACT he
had committed in violation Of the Constitution,
but solely for tn reason that his opinions did not
coincide with theirs upon the momentous issues
which have involved the nation In fearful and
wasting civil war. A Senator. acting under the
soIsmnity Of On Official oath. responsible 10 his
constituents for the manner be discharged his
trust, Is prescribed for opinions sake. This is
is the first instance OF the kind in the history Of
the Government aud the act is committed by a
dominant party who for wears have claimed pur
,rcelieuce to be the champions Of free speech.
OF free press and OF free men. We are
no apologisis Of Mr.. BEIGHT. We offer no
justification for his opinions or acts Some we
have condemned and DO vet. But he had just as
much right t. entertain and express them, a. had
or have SUMNER, HALE. WADE HARLAN on any
other Senator. or individual the peculiar views
they entertain The men We have named held
seats in the Senate, when majority of that body
believed they entertained opinions and purposes
inimicaI % the Constitution and calculated TO de-
stroy the Union Upon the same grounds that
they united to exIel Mr.. BRlGHr from the Sen
ate, their seats could have been vacated. But the
party then ia power respected their constitutional
rights. They thought, spoke, wrote and voted
upon all measures of public policy they
fit. IL the mission OF the Democratic party
10 defend the Constitution and maintain all the
rights it guaranteed to the citizen. not to strike
them down and this sentiment Was the protec-
ton of the very men who foremost in the
expulsion Of Mr. BRicHr.
Let us look at the facts in the case. The
charge Of treason against Mfr. BRIGul based upon
his letter introducing Mr. LINCOLN. addressed
20 Jar. DAVIS as President ofthe Southern Con-
iederacy, was not sustained. The Judiciary Com
mttee of the Senate, composed mainly of Re
pubIicans. after full investigation of all the
matters in issue, exOnerated Mr.. BRIGHI from
any intended disloyalty to the Government. Mr..
FEssESpEN. the Republican Senator from Maine,
stated in his seat that Mr. BEieur had offered no
factious opposition to any financial measure de
signed to maintain the integrity of the Govern
ment. Three Republican Senator'S whose patri-
otism and ability can not be questioned, in elabo-
rate speeches. declared that there were no Just
grounds Ia sustain the charge of treason
against Ne. BRrGHr. or cause sufficient to
warrant his expulsion. But such expires
sions were OF no avail. party intoxicated
with the possession of power influenced by
political prejudces and luminosity, has stricken
down freedom of opinion aud freedom
of speech in the person Of Senator. Ii is of
but little ii any consequence to the freemeu of
Indiana, TO every citizen who renders allegiance
10 the Constitution. whether Mr.. BRlGHr occupies
seat la the Senate retires 10 private life but
il is of vital importance IL they desire to preserve
a constitutional government, To enjoy constitu-
tional liberty, that this outrage upon the most
valued preregativcs of the citizen of free Gov.
ernmeut. guaranteed by the Constitution, should
be properly rebuked. IL the people talnely sub
nit TO this blow at popular rights. we care not
for the man who falls. and make no appeal for
sympathy IN his behalf they are unworthy Of
and are unfit 10 enjoy freedom
To Justify what We have said in regard 10 this
violation OF freedom of opinion and frecdum OF
speech. if any Justification be needed. and to
prove that no just cause existed for the gross out
rage committed by the Republican Senate. We
give the following extracts from the speeches OF
two distinguished Republican Senators in refer
ence thereto. Senator Ten EYcK, of New Jer
sew. said:
Why. sir. well dc | remember that in this Sen
ate. and upon this floor. a Senator from Texas
declared here. over and over again that this
Union dissolved that there was IN existent
a Southern COntederacy. and that Jefferson Da-
vas at its head that lie owed his allegiance "a
IL: and that nc stayed here just as long a. the
Senate called ls name; aud that when they re
fused 20 call his name. he would take In, depart
ure Tor that Confederation; and vet. aside from
an effort made on the part of the Senator from
Connecticut Mr.. Foster which Was not follow
Ell up. no steps we're taken in this body TO rebuke
that Senator or 20 take course with respect -
him. Well do / remember that senator from
Virginia the former Chairman OF the Committee
on Foreign Relations, who has recegtlv been
made the football OF diplomacy, declared putt.
lcly this floor that he owed his allegiance To
Virginia. that THIS Union dissolved. that II
his tone and las mtnner. WAS Young Senator
here then, am comparatively Young here nov,
u / hid been Al Older senator do not Know that
should have said anything
The Senator from Massachusetts Mr. sum
ner has SAID that courage IN the Sen tie j. - ian.
pogt,ut aS courage IA the held Ii : So. sir: 1nd
a Senator should ALWAYS manifest the cvugas eoas
spirit whether ne be IA the majority IN the ma
norlty Ii ne be IA the minority he should ex-
hibif greater degree. according 70 my iuds
rnent tone and spri, and hrmuess Of char
acter, repellmg insults AMI misconduct. than
when he : in the majority"
This i the day Tor the establishment OF pre-
cedents: We are making new preceleuts Dec tuss
tire exigencies Of the time cali for them. Let Us
be careful thst We establish our preccfents upun
sure and safe foundations Let u not establish
them upon mere suspicious. Let not e,tab
iIsh the precedent that a Senator can he turned
from a seat in this body mersiv because he ice-
not speak ca vote desire him TO speak ~
vote The Senator from Kentucky will paidon
me il admit that my mind : much dwarle
"a be guilty of a thing Of that Kind. and that /
can not rise 70 the high plane Of PATRIOTISM and
staiesmanship which be requires At eur hands
Let IA be careful IA sctissl that car nreceeuis
40 not return upon eur heads to plague Let
a. be careful thai our action be not Ike that Of
those guns which.
-'sIhough wei aimed = duek pio,~r,
Bear wide. aud n OK their oVsr"
senator H.EKfs Of New York thus sharply