Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-03-06
TOT tIIV DlIIF 0ItIt NtfIIIIItI
ss,omestic Tranauiiity.~


in the preamble, is to ENSURE DOMESTIC TRAN
GUILTY."
The sources of domestic disturbance in the
States being the characterization of citizens to
State authority and the instruction of slaves
(then held in all the States) against their masters,
it seems reasonable to conclude that the suppress
sion OF these 10y the united power of the States
the thing alluded to in this language of the
Constitution. For the purpose of securing this
with other objects. most of the fourth section of
the fourth article was inserted IN that instrument.
The United States shall guarantee To- every State
in this Union republican form of Government,
and shall protect each OF them, ON
application OF the l., gislaturc. of the Execu
tive when the Legislature can not be convened, J
against domestic violence" Though the princ-
pal object OF the first clause might have been u
political One yet the maintenance of domestic
tranquility was had prominently in view.
The legitimate suppression OF instruction with
in State against the authority of the Union,
though it be attended with the disturbance VIC
lence and Suffering incident TO military opera
tons, is not necessarily. on the whole, incOn-
sistent with the maintenance of domestic tran
guilty. Unless the authority of the Union can
be sustained, it must be entirely unable to aid in
enforcing obedience to the laws and authority OF
the States, or to guarantee TO the States re-
publican form OF government. So, If in the
course of military operations carried good
faith for the suppression of Instruction against
the Federal authority. a state OF restlessness
should unavoidtbly be produced among the ser
wants, anu their obedience and fidelity should un
avoidably be impaired. the Government and peo
pie of the United States would not he censurable
for this incidental result. The blame would
rather be at the door OF those who melted and
carried on the revolt.
The present revolt seems TO have demonstrated
that, for the purpose OF REFRESHING slave insurrec
tons, the South IS not at all dependent upon the
North. But il has not been demonstrated that
many of the States are not dependent upon other
Suites for assistance IN preventing such occur
renees. While the disparity between the free and
the slave population of some OF the States con
nnues, II would seem that they must in some
emergencies be dependent upon other States.
The practical iutllment OF the guaranty of
republican form of government to the individual
States, it will readily be may involve a tenn
pOTary disturbance of domestic tranquility. II
attempt is made by minority 10 establish
something else than republican institutions the
people NAV call upon the Federal Government to
aid in restoring the Old system. The Govern
ment would of course be justified in responding
to the call, though great domestic disturbance
might result. IL may De useful To call attention
To the TACT that il a minority should so call tor
the aid of the Government there would be great
difficulty in saying that the Government might
respond tO the cai-fOr the thing which the Gov
eminent guarantees TO each State is not merel,
the form OF republican government-not merely
It's machinery and semblance, but the thing itself
and as ''the vital principle of republics" j. the
ascendancy of the constitutional majority, il
would not do to undertake to guarantee a repuh
e
not want it Ii would be undertaking TO do an
absurd and contradictory thing. The United
States Is 10 guaranty such government 10 a
people who want it, and who claim the iutilment
of the guaranty.
Ii Is proposed. in the most respectable quar-
tiers, that the military force of the Union shall
encourage the friends OF the Union in the revolt
Ell States in efforts revoutionze their respect
i've States and restore them 10 the old fra
ternity.
Ii i important TO consider how far and in v hat
way this can be done consistently with the con
Sttutiona object of insuring domestic tranquil
~. IL j. evident that the Federal Government
should not undert Ike in any way TO enable a
minority obtain control OF the States. This
would not only produce domestic dssenson, but
would be inconsistent with the guarantee given
by the Constitution 10 each State OF "A republican
form OF government. Again; In aiding 4 Union
be assisted Ia violent revolution of their State
government, not for the av0Wed purpose OF re
storing a republican government, bat 20 restore
the State 70 the UniOnl There can of course
be no objection to encouraging civil revolution
for the purpose: but may encourage = mill
tary revolutionI We could not do II for the
purpose of inStitutlng a minority in power. or of
assuming the State prerogatives ourselves; but
could We do il tor the purpose of restoring the
majority to their lost aScendancyf There are
two points of view in which this strikes favor
ably. As incidental 10 the measures for restoring
the rightiu authority of the Union. il appears TO
be legitimate measure, If kept within proper
bounds. and as Incidental To the restoration of
the rule Of the majority. and thus % the reStOra-
ton IN fact of republican Institutions, il appears
70 be consistent with the spirit and the specific
provisions OF the Constitution. Sach means
should be used with great discretion: but, if so
used IL seems 90 be admissible
Not few OF the people of the North are also
urging upon the President and upon Congress
the policy OF emancIpating and armng the
slaves. a a necessity incident to the military sup
preston of the revolt, and a part OF the Tor
fixture Of State rights incurred by the States in
Instruction All that needs here TO be said Is
that. as the object OF the people OF the United
States IA their military measures y 10 preserve
the Union and the Constitution, IL Is inds-
pehsable that the provisions AMI the prnci.
Ulez the great s.harfar If lTuion Shanld