Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-05-22
UNION DEuoCmarrc pLaTFonu

WHERkss The Democratic party having from
the date OF IL organization, been in favor Of tn
nxintenance of the Unioo and the preservation o
the Constitution, and seeing in the present condi
ton Of the country the deplorable effects OF
departure from lie time honored and conservative
principk@. and the triumph Of sectonalism; and
firmly Believing that the Union and the Consiltu'
ton cas- be preserved alone by the restoration OF
that party 20 power, We invite all true Union men
throughout the Land 10 unite with us IN sustaining
its orgp lization and carrying out its principles
Therefore,
Re.o{~d. L. That we renffirm and endorse the
political principles that from time to time have
been pat forth by the National Conventions Of
the Democratic party.
?. That we unaltcrably attached to the
Consultation. by which the Union Of these States
was for kocd and established; and that faithful
observance Of its principles can alone continue
the existence Of the Union. and the permanent
happiness of ;he people
8. That the present civil war has mainly re
suited nom the long continued. unwise and ia
nafcal agitation. i'm the North Of the question of
domestic slavery, the consequent organization Of
a geographical party, guided by the sectional
platforIas adopted ut Buffalo Pittsburgh, Phila-
delphia: and Chicago, and the development there
by of sectional hate and jealousy. producing (as
had lorig been foreseen and predicted by u.s. It's
counterpart in the South Of secession. dsunion,
and arr.ed resistance To the General Government.
and terminating in a bloody strife between those
who should have been forever bourd together by
fraterrrtl bonds, thus bringing upon the whole
countrra calamity which we are now to meet as
loyal citizens. STRIVING for the adoption OF that
mode o; settlement best calculated 10 again re
store ufion and harmony.
4. That in rejecting all propositions likely TO
result q a satisfactory adjustment OF the matters
IN dispute between the North and the South. and
especially those measures which would have Sc
cured tsse border slave States to the Union. and n
hearty 60 operation on their part in all constitu-
tonal s.Dd legal measures TO procure return of
the mote Southern States 10 their allegiance, the
Republ can party assumed fearful response
bilIty, ssnd acted in total disregard of the best in
terests at the whole country.
>. That il the party in power had shown the
same desire To settle. by amicable adjustment.
our internal discussions before hostilities had ac-
tually commenced. that the Administration has
recently exhibited 10 avoid with our an
Gent enemy. Great Britain, We confidently be
ieve 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 OF all who profess 10y
atty % the Governmeut-and in our judgment
this purpose only be accomplished bv the
States. which shall bv counter revolution. dis
place those who control and direct the present
bellion. That no effort 10 create or sustain such
a party can be successful which is not based upon
a definite settlement of the questions ut 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 a National
Convection.
hat tta Rap I,a fall.
strated its inability to conduct the Government
through its present difficulties.
q. That utterly opposed TO the twin
heresies, Northern sectlOnallsm and Southern
secession, inimical 10 the Constitution; and
that freemen. ~ they value the boon of civil lib.
erty ard the peace of the country. should frown
Indignantly upon them.
y. 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 subiugati N.
nor for the purpose of overthrowing or nteri r.
ing with the rights institutions of the States.
but 20 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 oh
lects are accomplished the war ought to cease.
10. That we will sustain. with all our energies
a war for the maintenance ofthe Constitution, and
OF the integrity OF the Union under the Constitu-
fion; but We are opposed TO a war for the emanci
patton of the negroes, or the subjugation of the
Southern States.
III. That the purposes avowed and advocated
by the Northern disunionists. to liberate and arm
the negro slaves. is unconstitutional, insulting TO
loyal citizens. a disgrace to the age. is calculated
to rctard the suppression of the ebeIion and IN. cts
our unqualified condemnation.
10 That tho total A, of tho vrr;t Of h.,
beas corpus by the authorities US. and the
seizure aud Imprisonment of the citizens of loyal
States whese 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. fragrant violations of the Con
st,tution 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 anu of the press are
guaranteed TO the people by the Constitution. and
none but n usurper would deprive them of these
rights; they are iaestimabe to the citizen and
formidable To tyrants only. And the attempts
which have been made since our present unfortu
nate troubles. to muzzle the press and stifie free
discussion, exercises of despotc power against
which freedom revolts and which osn not be toe
rated without converting ireemen into slaves
ID. That the seizure of Slidell and Mason on
board a neutral vessel. on the high seas was
either in accordance with international law and
so legal; or else in violation OF such law, and so
illegal. Ii the former. we lament that our nation
has been Inundated b, their surrender. under
threat; if the latter, it was the duty OF the AID.
niinistraton at once to have disavowel the act of
their officer and instead OF ncarcersting the cap
tves in Fort Warren. TO have Immediately re
paired the wrong by placing them. far rs prac-
ucable. IN the same condition in which that off
ces had found them In either event, the action
of the Administration vacilating land COW
arily. and degrading to the dignity of a grea, ma
ton.
10. That the action of the Republican party
"a manifested IN the plrtisan character Of all an
pointments of the Administration 10 civil office.
and. in holding party caucuses by the Republican
members of Congress for the purpose of mpresSins
upon the legislative action of that body the peculiar
dogmas of that party. have demonstrated that their
professions OF sacrificing party platforms. and par
ty organizations upon the altar OF their country"
are but 50 many hypocritcal and false pre,ences
by which they hope TO dupe the unwary into thci-
support: and we warn all loyal persons. as they
love their country. not To 5e deceived thereby
10. That the disclosures made bv the inveSti
eating committee in Congress of the enormous
frauds that have stalked into the army and navy
departments, duplicating the heids of those de
part ments in connivance at ii not an actual
paracipation IN n system of corruption. and il
which our brave soldiers have been deiraudei of
their proper supplies. and our Government threat
enei with bankruptcy. demands thorough in
- finn n ~ all u