Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-05-23
UNION DEuocsarsc PLATFORM,

maintenance oil the Unl1 and The preservation
the Cons.itution. and seeing in the present condi
ton Of the country the deplorablc effects Of a
departure from ~ tine horored and conservative
principEr-. and the triumph Of sectionaIism: and
firmly believing that the Union and the Consfitu-
ton can be preserved alone by the restoration OF
that party TO power, we invite all true Union men
throughout the land 20 unite with N in sustaining
IL organization and carrying out its principles:
Therefore
Resolved, L. That we reafiirm and endorse the
political principles that from time TO time have
been put forth by the National Conventions of
tie Democratic party.
2 That We are unalterabiy attached 20 ths.
Constitution. by which the Union OF these States
was formed and established; and that faithful
Observance of it, principles can alone continue
the existence OF the Union, and the permanent
happiness of the people
8. That the present civil war has mainly re
suited from the long continued. unwise, 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 at Buffalo. Pittsburgh, Phila-
dslphia, and Chicago, and the development there
b., Of sectional hate and jealousy, producing (as
had long been fore-een and predicted by u.s. It's
counterpart in the South Of secession, disun0n,
sdd armed resistance 10 the General Government,
and terminating in bloody strife between those
who should have been forever bound together by
fraternal bonds. thus. bringing upon the whole
country calamity which To meet
loyal citizens. striving for the adoption OF that
mode OF settlement best calculated 10 again re
store union and harmony
L. 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 Sc
cured the border slave States To the Union. and
hearty co operation their part in al constitu-
tonal and legal measures to procure return Of
the more Southern States To their allegiance. the
Republican party assumed fearful response
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 10 settle, by amicabe adjustment,
our internal discussions before hostilities had sc-
tualy commenced, that the Administration has
recently exhibited to avoid a war with our an
cieat enemy. Great Britain. we confidently be
here that peace and harmony would row reign
throughout all our borders.
8. That the maintenance OF the Union upon
the principles of the Federal Constitution should
be the controlling object of all who profess 10y
atty % the Government-and in Judgment
this purpose can 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 re
heibOn. That no effort 20 create or sustain such
"a party 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 OF through the medium Of a National
Cony enton.
7. That the Republican party has fully demon
strated ia inability TO conduct the Government
through its present difficulties.
q. That utterly opposed to the twin
heresies, Northern sectionalism and Southern
secession, as inimcal to the Constitution; and
that freemen. "a they value the boon of civil lib
crty and the peace of the country. should frown
Indignantly upon them.
9. That in this national emergency the Democ
racy Of Indiana, banishing all feeling OF passion
and resentment. will recolect only their duty TO
the whole country; that this war should not be
waged in the spirit OF conquest or subjugati IN,
nor for the purpose OF overthrowing or interi It
ing with the rights institutions Of the States,
hut to defend and maintain the supremacy of the
Constitution. and to preserve the Unious with all
the dignity, equality and rights of the several
states unimpaired: and that as soon these oh
iects accomplished the ought to cease.
I'D. That we will sustain. with all our energies,
war for the maintenance of the Constitution and
OF the integrity of the Union under the Consffu-
non; but we are opposed to war for the emanci
patton of the negroes, or the subjugation of the
Southern States.
by the Northern disunionists, to liberate and arm
the negro slaves is unconstitutional. insulting TO
loyal citizens, disgrace TO the age is calculated
to rctar the suppression OF the ebellion and mt cts
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-
mtg OF deiense. are tiagrant violations of the Con
st;tuton 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
- That liberty of speech am. 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 10 tyrssnts only. And the attempts
which have been made since our present unfOrtu
nate troubles, TO muzzle the press and stiae free
discussion, exercises of despotic pow against
which freedom rev0lts and which can not be toe-
.afed without converting freemen into slaves.
Ia That the seizure of Slidel and Mason, on
board a neutral vessel, on the high seas was
either in accordance with internatio law, and
80 legal; or else in violation o! such law and so
illegal. ID the former. We lament that our nation
has been Inundated by their surrender, under a
N''"f ~ Wt iaetti WIS tt uutf vi tt Au
ADMINISTRATION have disav ell the act of
their officer, and instead of incarcerating the cap
tives in Fort Warren, TO have Immediately re
paired the wrong by placing them far prac-
ucablc. IN the same condition IN which that Off
Ger had found them. In either event. the action
of the Administration vaciilating ,and COW
ardIy and degrading to the dignity of great ma
ton.
Is That the action of the Republican party,
manifested IN the PARTISAN character OF all APP
poIntmentS of the Administration To civil Office
and. in holding party caucuses by the Republican
members of Congress for the purpose ofimpreSSng
upon the legislative acuon of that body the peculiar
dogmas of that party have demonstrated that their
professions OF sacrificing party platforms, and par
~ organizations. upon the altar of their country "
arc but 50 many hypocritical and false pretences
by Which they hope TO dupe the unwary into Their
support: and We warn 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 stalke,l into the armv and navy
departments. duplicating the heads of those de
partments in cOnnivance at, If not an actual
participation in system OF corruption. and il
which our brave soldiers have been deirauded of
their proper supplies. and our Government threat
ened with bankruptcy. demands thorough in
ye-ffwafiofa infa all aur exrap1ifura- hofb Sf.ta