Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-03-21
UNION DEnocRAruc pLATsex n !.

the Consultation, and seeing IN the present condi
ton Of the country the deplorable effects Ct
Departure from its time-honored and conservatire
principles. and The triumph Of seciionalism: and
firmly believing that the Union and the Consttn-
ton can be preserved alone BY the restoration Of
that party % power. We invite All true Union men
throughout the land 20 unite with us In sustaining
its organization and carrying out its principles;
Therefore.
Rcsolued. J. That we rcafirm and endorse the
political principles that from tine % time have
been put forth by the National conventions Of
the Democratic party.
?. That We are unalterably attached % the
Constitution. by which the Union Of these States
was formed and established; and that faithful
observance OF its principles can alone continue
the existence OF the Union, and the permanent
happiness Of the people.
3. That the present civil war has mainly re-
suited from the long continued unwise and ia
natical agitation, in the North Of the question Of
domestic slavery, the consequent organization Of
platforms adopted at Buffalo, Pittsburgh. Phila-
dephia. and Chicago. and the development there
by of sectional hate and JEALOUSY. producing (as
bad long been forcseen and predicted by u.s. its
counterpart IN the South Of secession, disunion
and armed resistance TO the General GOverament,
and terminating In a bloody strife between those
who should have been forever bound together by
fraterIlal bonds, thus bringing upon the whole
country a calamity which We are now TO meet as
loyal citizens. STRIVING for the adoption of that
mode Of settlement best calculated TO again re
store union and harmony.
a. That in rejecting all propositions likely TO
result N satisfactory adjustment OF the matters
in dispute between the North and the South and
especially those measures which would have se-
cured the border slave States 20 the Union. and
hearty CO. Operation on their part in ali consttu-
tonal and legal measures 20 procure a return Of
the more Southern States 20 their allegiance. the
Republican party assumed a fearful responsi-
bility and acted in total disregard Of the best in
terests of the whole country
;. That If the party in power bad shown the
same desire 10 settle, by amicable adjustment.
our internal dissensons before hostilties had ae-
tually commenced. that the Administration has
recently exhibited to avoid a war with our an.
cient enemy. Great Britain. we confidently be
heve that peace and harmony would now reign
throughout all our borders.
3. That the maintenance Of the Union upon
the principles of the Federal Constitution should
be the controlling object of all who profess 10y
atty to the Govenment--and in our 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
bellion. That no effort 10 create or 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 medium of National
Convention.
Z. That the Republican party has fully demon
strated its inability to conduct the Government
through its present difficulties.
8. That we are utterly opposed TO the twin
heresies, Northern secti0nalism and Southern
secession, as inimical 10 the Constitution and
that freemen. they value the boon of civil lib
erty and the peace of the country, should frown
Indignantly upon them.
9. That in this national emergency the Democ-
racy of Indiana, banishng all feeling Of passion
and resentment, will recollect only their duty to
the whole country; that this war should not be
waged in the spirit of conquest or subugation,
nor for the purpose Of overthrowing or interfer-
ing with the rights or institutions OF the States,
but to defend and maintain the supremacy Of the
Constitution and 10 preserve the Union with all
the dignity, equality and rights of the several
States unimpaired; and that as soon as these OBJ
ects 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 Consfifu-
fion; but We are opposed 10 war for the emanci-
patton OF the negroes, or the subjugafion of the
Southern States.
H. That the purposes asowed and advocated
by the Northern disunionists, 70 liberate and arm
the negro slaves. is unconstitutional insulting TO
loyal citizens, disgrace to the age is calculated
TO rctard the suppression of the rebellion and meets
our unqualified condemnation.
II. That tie 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-
nifty ofdeense, are fragrant violations of the Con-
sitution 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.
13. 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
nights; they are inestimable TO the citizen and
formidable to tyrants only. And the attempts
which have been made since our present unfortu-
nate troubles, 70 muzzle the press and stihe free
discussion, are exercises Of despotic power against
which freedom reyolts and which can not be tole-
rated without converting freemen into slaves
Ia. That the seizure of Slidell and Mason. on
board a neutral vessel, the high seas, was
either in accordance with international Law. and
so legal; or else in violation OF such law, and so
II TIE lDTmtI, we lament tnft nation
has been humiliated by their surrender, under a
threat; if the latter, it was the duty of the Ad-
minlstratiOn at once To have disayowed the act of
their officer. and instead Of ;ncarceratiEg the cap
tives in Fort Warren. 20 have Immediately re.
paired the wrong by placing them as far a. prac
ticable, in the same condition in which that Off
Ger had found them. In either event, the action
Of the Administration was vaciIlating Land COW
ardly. and degrading to the dignity Of great na-
ton.
ID. That the action of the Republican party.
as manifested in the partisan character OF all ap-
pointmeats OF the Administration 20 civil Office:
and, IN holding party caucuses By the Republican
members OF Congress for the purpose Ofimpressing
upon the legislative acton OF that body the peculiar
dogmas of that party have demonstrated that their
professions sacrificing party platforms, aud par
ty organizations. upon the altar Of their country"
are but so many hypocritical and false pretences
by which they hope 70 dupe the unwary into their
support; and We warn all loyal persons a. they
love their country, not 70 be deceived thereby
10. That the disclosures made BY the inyesti-
eating committee in Congress of the enormous
frauds that have stalked into the armv and navy
departments, duplicating the heads Of those de.
partments in connyance at, If not an actual |
participation in a system Of corruption. and in
which our brave soldiers have been defrauded of
their proper supplies. and our Government threat
ened with bankruptcy. demands thorough in
yestgation into all our expenditures, both State
and National, and that speedy and marked ex.
ample be made Of all such birds Of prev" who.