Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-02-26


wHrsrAs. The Democratic party having. from
the date of ts organization. been IN favor of ths
maintenance Of the Onion and the preservstionof Of
the Constitution. and seeing in the present condi
ton cf the country the deplorable effects Of
departure from ne tine honorei and conservative
principles, and The triumph Of section.lism: and
firmly believing that the Union and the Constits-
ton can be preserved Alons by The restoration Of
that party 20 power. ne invite al true Union men
throughout the land % unite with us in sustaining
- organization and carrying out ia principles.
Therefore
ResOlued. l. That ne reafsrm and endorse the
political principles that from time 70 time have
been put forth by the National COnventions Of
the Democratic party.
2 That ne are unalterablv attached 10 The
Constitution. by which the Union Of these sssse-
was formed and established; and that faithful
observance Of IL principles can alone continue
the existence of the Union. and the permanent
happiness of the people.
3 That the present civil var has mainly re-
suited from the long continued. unxise and Z.
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.
delphia. and Chicago. and the development there
by of sectional hate and JEALOUSY. producing as
had long been fo-eseen and predicted BY u.s. IA
counterpart IN the South Of secession. disunon.
and terminating IN bloody strife between those
who should have been forever bound together by
fraterfIal bonds. thus bringing upon the whole
country a calamity which We are now 10 meet ss
loyal citizens. STRIVING for the adoption Of that
mode Of settlement best calculated 10 again re
store union and harmony.
4. That in rejecting all propositions likely 10
result IN a satisfactory adjustment Of the matters
in dispute between the North and the South. and
especially those measures which would have
cured the border slave States 90 the Unon and
hearty CO operation on their part IN all constitu.
tional and legal measures 10 procure a return of
the more Southern States TO their allegiance. the
Republican party assumed fearful responsi
bility. and acted In total disregard Of the best In
terests of the whole country
5 That il the party in power had shown the
same desire 20 settle. by amicable adjustment.
our internal dissensions before hostilites had &C
tually commenced. that the Administration has
recently exhibited tO avoid n war with our
cient enemy. Great Britain. we confidently be
heve 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 tO the GONenment-and In our judgment
this purpose only be accomplished. by the
ascendency of Union party IN the Southern
States. which shall. bv a counter revolution dis.
bellion. That effort 20 create or sustain such
u 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 a National
Convention.
straied its inability 10 conduct the Government
through its present difficulties
.. That utterly opposed TO the twin
heresieS, Northern sectionallsm and Southern
secession. inimical to the Constitution. and
that freemen. they value the boon of civil lib
erty and the peace of the country, should frown
Indignantly upon them.
3. That in this national emergency the Democ-
racy OF Indiana, banishing all feeling of passion
and resentment. will recoect only their duty to
the whole country; that this war should not be
waged in the spirit of conquest or subjufation.
nor for the purpose of overthrowing interfer-
ing with the rights or institutions Of the States
but 10 defend and maintain the supremacy of the
Constitution, and to preserve the Union with all
the dignity. equality and rights Of the several
States unimpaircd and that soon these OBJ
ects are accomplished the war ought TO cease.
10. That we will sustain. with all our energies.
for the maintenance of the Constitution, and
OF the integrity of the Union under The Consfifs-
tion but opposed 10 for the emanci
patton of the negroes, or the subjugation OF the
Southern States.
IL. That the purposes avowed and advocated
by the Northern disunionists. TO lberate and arm
the negro slaves is unconstitutional insulting to
loyal citizens. disgrace TO the age. il calculated
to rctard the suppression of the rebellion and meets
our 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 j. IN full operation
without warrant OF law and without assigning any
giving to the party arrested any opportu-
nifty of defense, are fragrant violations of the Con
stitution and most alarming acts Of usurpation OF
power. which should receive the rebuke OF
every lover of his country aud of every man who
prizes the security and blessings Of ie liberty and
property.
l3 That liberty of speech anu Of the press are
guaranteed to the people by the Constitution. and
none but usurpcr would deprive them of these
rights; they inestimable 10 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 stfe free
discussion. exercises of despotic power against
which freedom revOlts and which can not be tole.
Iatcd without verting freemen into slaves.
ii. That the seizure Of Slidell and Mason on
board n neutral vessel on the high seas was
either in accordance with international law. and
80 legal: or else in violation OF such law. and -
illegal. If the former. We lament that nation
has been humiliated by their surrender. under a
threat; il the latter 1t the duty of the Ad
ministratioH at once to have disayOwed the act of
their officer and instead Of incarceratng the cap
tves in Fort Warren. To have Immediately
paired the wrong by placing them. far prsc
tcAble, in the same condition IN which that of
Ger had found them. In either event. the action
of the Administration Sacilating ,and COW
ardly, and degrading TO the dignity OF great
ton.
10 That the action of the Republican party
manifested in the partisan character Of all sp
pointments Of the Administration 20 civil Office.
and. Ia holding party cAucu.es by the Republican
members of Congress tor the purpose Of pressing
upon the legislative acton 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"
are but many hypocritical and false pretences
by which they hope TO dupe the unwary into their
support; and We warn all loyal persons. as they
love their country. not 70 be deceived thereby.
10. That the disclosures made by the invest
eating committee in Congress of the enormous
frauds that have stalked into the aruIs aud navy
departments. duplicating the heads Of those de
partments in a connivance At, II not actua.
participation in a system Of corruption, and 10
which our brave soldiers have been deirauded OF
tbe;r ,roner su,niie- and our Gov eru,ne,. ,hre.t