, 1862-03-01
Speech by Senator Wright Of Indiana
1.-THE New Senator from Indiana
Def1neS His Position.
From the indianapolis Sentinel Feb, sG.1

1A-Af<A
The hail Of the House Of Representatives
was crowded Mt IN carly hour list night, to
Ecar, according to announcement, an address
from this distinguished gentleman. There
were many ladies' present, and every scat Was
occupied, and hardly staLding room left in
the aislcs and lobby.
Senator Wright, presenting himself said he
was no party man. He stood, in this crisis,
only for lis country. Away with all party
creeds and platforms The time for them had
passed away. What We wanted now was Il
united North, and if party creeds prevailed We
should have war and bloodshed in our own
midst How bitter 60 We become even in or
ainary times Of peace! Let the people be
arrayed on party crreas, and What Inan could
ft'rctu}l the consequences? Douglas bad said,
Forget your party cFeeds and yolr party plat
forms, and bring your Ill to the service Of
your country, in this dire emergency.
His {NHght's) party platform. sas that the
Constitution vas TO Ee maintained as the su-
preme law Of the land, and that tue Union
must be preserved as the only guaranty OF
Glcsty. He recognized but two classes ow
-1l!c fiet,ds Of the Union, and tho enemies
thereof. His motto was, maintain the Con
stlt1tion, and at I'll hazards, and ut all risks
and no matter at what cost, prescEye the
Upion.
Tie present deplorable civil war was forced
upon Us hy tho disuniouists Of the South
The Tar VIE wagcd on our rl7e only to ma;n-
tain tie Union. All classes Of men in the
North stood uppn this Platform. He referred
to the resolutions of the Indiana Democratic
Convention Of the Sth Of January, 1852, and
l. eensured them because they did not express
Ibis, viz: that the var was brought on bj tie
Southern disunlonists- Because he titus cen
snrcd this omission, it was said he WIS no
+: Dcmoerat! In this hour of the calamity OF
his country he would not shelter himself be-
hind party platforms The Sth of January
platform ives very ingenious ons-it didn't t
say they would fight, ard it didn't say they
wouldn't, a1d It wound up with resolution
complimentary to the soldiers engaged in the
var. It was 4 party platform, aud nothing
more
For this Union We were fighting, and yet
there were men who would stand on the cor
ncrs Of the streets and talk to you about taxes.
Talk about taxes, when our brothers. SONS,
irs The battles Of the country! Talk about
party platforms in this connection! Party
platforms! with ten OF fifteen boards in them,
and not one worth stepping or at that.
But VIC would have . far Eightier question !:
How shan We reconstruct the Government, or
the Union?
If VIC will but do our duty in putting down
this rebellion the good Gcd would Keep 1is
forever as one people.
In Line months. felIo. citizens, We shall
NOW agitate us. We shall have questions with
respect to foreign Interference in the affairs of
this continent Already arc they talking Of
placing scion Of the House Of Hapsburg on
The throne Of the Alontczumas. Already, as
is reported in the newspapers, Is the South
making propositions abroad to abolish slavery
after fifty years. ALREADY arc England and
France preparing to interfere In our national
troubles.
The great question in this country was
Ebether We should have Government. The
Ministers in Europe, with whom he had con-
Ee1sed abroad, could not understand how =
flee people, having no standing army, could
maintain themselves. Herein they thought
they eaw the weakness Of Republican institu-
t!ons*- Herain they thought they saw the
weakness Of our Government. II the loyal
men succeed in putting down this infamous
rebellion The Government would be stronger
than eEeE before, not ou1y At home, but in tho
EYES Of Al the statesmen OF Europe ard Of the
world Tho nations Of the esrth would there
u DC convinced that free people could gov
crn themselves, and prlt down rebellion at
bono and defy tJIants abroad.
He Eas to leave for Washington tomorrow.
He had been bonored By the Executive of the
S!ste Eith an appointment to the United
States Senate to fill vacancy. He hsd no
feelings Of gratifcstior In tFiumphiug over .
faaen foe. He believed that the Executive Of
the State had conferred Lis appointment In
obedience TO the wishcs Of NIL parties. As Qua
man We should atsnd shoulder to shoulder In
the cause Of the country.
His platform, In briEf, was this: lat, Wig
oro1B prosecution Of the war. ad, No party
cse1ds or platforms. Sd. Put down at ali haz-
ards, this infamous rebellion. Acts Of Con.