Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-03-03

The great question of this controversy is: Can
we be one people, united and harmonious? This
is the all-absorbing question, at last. At the end
of ninety days, we would have no question of
tariffs We would have no question of war.
We would have no question of taxation.
But we would have a far mightier question:
How shall we reconstruct the Government, or
the Union? No man could deny this proposition:
In every ten years in this prolific country, we
have a new generation at the ballot box. These
succeeding generations would be felt in all time
to come They were THE PEOPLE. And in the
direction towards which their interest point
ed them they would surely go. Their in
terests pointed them in the direction the Union.
We had an identity of interests. Cheaper boots
and shoes, for instance, could be bought for mig
gers in Massachusetts than could be bought
abroad. Our manufacturing, commercial,
our mechanical, our agricultural interests were
those of one people. Every day, in all parts of
the country, new pursuits of industry sprung
up. He would instance one-that of the produc-
ton of coal OIL At first only few hundred
barrels per year was manufactured. Now more
than 30 600 barrels were manufactured, and this
one production alone bids fair TO revolutionize
commerce in oils. In two more years the trade
in coal oil will rival the cotton trade. What is
true in this matter is true of all our great interests
as an Industrious, producing and enterprisng
people.
If we will but do our duty in putting down
this wicked rebellion the good God would keep
us forever as one people
Look at the position Of Indiana on the map
Look at her rivers. Look at her geographical
relations. Never would she consent to surrender
the free navigation of the Mississippi river.
Never would she consent that this continent
should be divided. An eminent British states
man, years ago, surveying the map of our cOun-
try, regarding our mighty rivers, our prairies our
natural mountain barriers, had said that never
could two nations exist within our domain.
In nine months, fellow citizens. we shall have
questions far superior to those which now agitate
US. eshall have questions with respect to for
eign interference in the affairs of this continent.
Already they talking of placing scion of
the House of Hapsburg on the throne OF the
Montezumas. Already, as is reported in the
newspapers, is the South making propositions
abroad to abolish slavery after fifty years. AL
ready are England and France preparing to in =.
terfere in our national troubles.
He believed that Napoleon never would engage
in a contest against the people of the North His
| interests forbade it. Whatever course the Eng
lish government might take, Napoleon would
take his own course. He was a man of his own
mind, and kept his own counsel. He had more
intellect than any man now governing in Europe.
Napoleon was the hereditary enemy of England.
| He was the controlling spirit in continental Eu-
rope Never would he interfere, only as our
champion and our friend, with the hope of ulti
mately humbling England.
The great question in this country was whether
we should have a Government. The Ministers
/ in Europe, with whom he had conversed when
abroad, could not understand how a free people,
having no standing army, could maintain them
selves. Herein they thought they saw the weak
ness of republican institutions. Herein they
thought they saw the weakness of our Govern
ment If the loyal men shall succeed in putting
down this infamous rebellion the Government
would be stronger than ever before, not only at
home, but in the eyes of all the statesmen of
Europe and of the world. The nations of the
earth would thereby be convinced that free peO-
pie could govern themselves, and put down re-
belliOn at home and defy tyrants abroad.
Every man who lives in Indiana ought to be
/ proud of his State. IL was the most conservative
State in the Union. There is no people anywhere
more devoted to the compact and Government
formed by our Fathers. Indiana, to maintain
that compact and Government, has to-day sixty
thousand men in the field. And Indiana has an
orderly people at home There are few men
among us boring holes through the ships hull
but let them pass He would say to his Demo-
cratic friends and to his Republican friends, forget
party in this crisis of our country.
He was to leave for Washington to morrow.
He had been hOnOred by the Executive of the
State with appointment to the United States
Senate to fill vacancy. He had no feelings of
qualification in triumphing over fallen foe. He
believed that the Executive of the State had CON
ferred his appointment in obedience to the wishes
of all parties As one man we should stand
shoulder to shoulder in the cause of the country.
For forty years he had been in the service of
his country. He would go to Washington to
discharge his duty. He would do all in his pow
er to put down this infamous rebellion. He did
not seek this appointment. His cup was already
full. He had been hOnored by the people of In
diana already more lhln he deserved. But when
men of both parties came to him, soliciting that
he should serve them, he could not refuse.
His platform, in brief, was this: LIST, A vigorous
prosecution of the war. ID, No party creeds or
platforms. Sd, Put down at all hazards, this in
famous rebellion. Acts of Congress were of lit
tie value to him where the perpetuity of the Gov
eminent was concerned. God gave us one coun-
try. He made us one people, and we would have
but one Government
He thanked Governor Morton and his fellow
citizens for the honor conferred on him and
pledged himself to do all in his power to redeem
the trust reposed in hun. He would do all that
he could TO maintain the Government and the
/ Union.
| GOVERNOR MORTON REMARKS