Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-02-18

sborrrB y rsrs cosvF~TIcs 5ssrsss. :. lss2 7

maintenance 81 tne mon and The preservation Of
the Constitution. and seeing IN the prescus condi-
ton OF the country the deplorabie effects of
departure from its time honorei ard conservative
principles, and the triumph Of sectisnalisn; ana
firmly believing that the Union and the Consfitu-
ton can be preserved alone by the restoration of
that party power, We invite all true Union men
throughout the land to unite with Us in sustaining
it, organization and carrying out its principle.
Therefore.
Res0lued. /. That We reafirm aud endorse the
political principles that from time 20 time have
been put forth by the SAtionsg Conventions Of
the Democratic partv
? That are unalterabiy attached 70 the
Constitution. by which the Union Of these STATE.
was formed and established: and tha; a faithful
observance of its principles can alone continue
the existence OF the Union, and the permanent
happiness Of the people
g. That the present civil war has mainly ~
suited from the long continued, unwise. and IA.
natica 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
delpha. aud Chicago, and the Development there
by of sectional hate and JEALOUSY. producing as
bad long been foreseen and predicsed by us its
counterpart in the South of secession. disunion.
and armed resistance to the General Government.
and terminating in a bloody strife between tbose
who should have been forever bound together by
fratenla bonds. thus bringing upon the whole
country calamity which are 20 meet
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 O.
result in a satisfactory adjustment Of the natter
in dispute between the North and the South. and
especially those measures which would have
cured the border slave States 20 tie Cni0n and
hearty CO operation their part in all ccnsttu-
tional and legal measures 10 procure a return Of
the more Southern States 10 their allegiance. Jhe
Republican party assumed fearful Tesp0nsi-
bty, and acted in total disregard oi the best in.
terests of the whole country.
,. That II the party Ia power had shown the
same desire 10 settle. bv amcable adjustment.
our internal dissensons before hostilities had
tually commenced. that the Administration has
recently exhibited 10 avoid war with our an
cent enemy Great Britain. We confidently be
lieve that peace and harmony would nov reign
throughout all our borders.
6. That the maintenance Of the Union upon
the principles of the Federal Constitution should
be the controlling object OF all who profess 10y
alty to the Government--and In our judgment
this purpose can only be accomplished. by the
ascendency of Union party ia the Southern
States which shall, bv a counter revolution, dis
place those who control and direct the present re
bellion That no 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 meiium of National
Convention.
T. That the Republican party has fully demon
strated its inability TO conduct the Government
through its present difficulties.
{. That ne are utterly opposed 10 the twin
heresies, Northern sectionalsm and Southern
secession. as inimical TO the Constitution: and
that freemen. they value the boon OF civil lib
erty and the peace of the country, should frown
indignantly upon them.
g. That in this national emergency the Democ-
racy of Indiana, banishing all feeling Of passion
and resentment. will recollect only their duty 20
the whole country: that this should be
waged in the spirit of conquest or sulJugatiDn,
nor for the purpose Of overthrowing or interfer.
ing with the rights 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 as these ob.
jects accomplished the ought 20 cease.
10. That will sustain. with all our energies,
war for the maintenance ofthe Constitution. and
OF the integrity of the Union under the Consffu-
fion; but we are opposed 10 awar for the emanci
patton of the negroes, or the subjugation Of the
Southern States.
IL. That the purposes ayOwei and advocated
by the Northern dsunionists TO liberate and arm
the negro slaves is unconstitutional insulting 20
loyal citizens, disgrace TO the age. is calculated
10 rctard the suppression of the rebellion and mo
our unqualified condemnation.
~. That the total disregard Of the writ Of ha.
beas corpus by the authorities 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 or giving to the party arrested any opportu
nifty of defense. are fragrant violations of the Con
stitutoR 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 life liberty and
property.
l3. That liberty Of speech anu Of the press are
guaranteed to the people by the Constitution, aud
none but usurper would deprive them of these
rights; they are inestimable 10 the citizen and
formidable TO tyrants only. Aud the attempts
which have been made since our present unfortu.
nate troubles, TO muzzle the press and siifie free
discussion. are 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 Slide 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 50
illegal Ii the former we lament that nation
has been Inundated by their surrender under
threat; IL the latter. it was the duty of the Ad
ministraton At To have disavowed the act Of
their officer, and instead Of incarcerting the cap
tives in Fort Warren. to have immediately re
paired the wrong by placing them, far prac
ticable, Ia the same condition in which that off
had found them In either event the action
of the Administration vaciliatiBg baud COW
ardly, and degrading 10 the dignity OF great ma.
ton.
10. That the action of the Republican party,
as manifested in the partisan character Of all NJ
pOintments OF the Administration 10 civil Office
and, M holding party caucuscs by the Republican
members Of Congress for the purpose ofimpressinc
upon the legislative acton Of that body the peculiar
dogmas Of that party. have demonstrated that thcr
professions OF sacrificing party platforms and par
ty organizations upon the altar of their county,
are but so many hypocritical and false pretence-
by which they hope 10 dupe the unwars into their
support: and We warn all loyal persons, as they
love their country not % be deceived thereby.
10. That the disclosures made by the invest
eating committee in Congress Of the enormous
frauds that have s;alked into the army aud navr
departments, duplicating the heads Of those de
partments IN conniyance az, IL not an actual
participation IN system Of corruption and in
which our brave soldiers have been defrauded Of
their proper supplies. and our Government threat