Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-05-17
sI1,o1 Dguocwarsc PLarrow N .

maintenance OF the Uni y and the preservation
the Constitution. and seeing In the present condi
ton Of the country the deplorsbc effects Of a
departure from its time honorcd and conservative
principles. and The triumph Of sectionalism: and
firmly believing that the Union and the Constitu-
ton csn 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 organization and carrying out il principles:
Therefore,
Resolved, l. That We reafkrm and endorse the
political principles that from time TO time have
been put forth BY the National Conventions OF
the Democratic party.
2 That we are unalterably attached 20 the
Constitution. by which the Union Of these States
was formed and established: and that A faithful
Observance Of lie principles can alone continue
the existence Of the Union, and the permanent
happiness Of the people.
3 That the present civil war has mainly
suited rom the long continued. unwise. and IA
natica agitation. in the North, Of the question Of
domestic slavery. the consequent organization OF
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 foreseen and predicted by us) its
counterpart In the South of secession, disunion,
and armed resistance to the General Government,
and terminating in a bloody strife between those
who should have been forever bourd together by
fraterfal bonds. thus bringing upon the whole
country calamity which we are TO meet as
loyal citizens, STRIVING for the adoption of that
mode Of settlement best calculated 10 again re
store union and harmony.
e. That in rejecting all propositions likely TO
result ip a satisfactory adjustment of the matters
in dispute between the North and the South and
especially those measures which would have Sc
cured the border slave States TO the Unon and
hearty CO operation on their part in all constitu-
uonal and legal measures TO procure return Of
the more Southern States 10 their alegiance. The
Republican party assumed a fearful response
bity, and acted In total disregard of the best in
terests Of the whole country.
D. That II the party in power had shown the
same desire 90 settle, by amcable adjustment
internal discussions before hostilities had ac-
tually commenced. that the Administration has
recently exhibited TO avoid war with our an
cient enemy. Great Britain, we confidently be
lieve that peace and harmony would now reign
throughout all our borders.
8. That the maintenance of the Union upon
the principles of the Federal Constitution should
be the controlling object of all who profess 10y
atty 10 The Government-and in our judgment
this purpose can only be accomplished, by the
ascepdency of Union party i'm the Southern
States, which shall, bv counter revolution, dis
place those who control and direct the present re
bellion. That no effort 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.
7. That the Republican party has fully demon
strated its inability to conduct the Government
through its present difficulties.
.. That we are utterly opposed to the twin
heresies, Northern sectionalism and Southern
secession. nimica to the Constitution; and
that freemen. as they value the boon of civil lib
erty aud the peace of the country. should frown
Indignantly upon them.
9. That in this national emergency the Democ.
racy of Indiana, banishing all feeling of passion
and resentment. will recollect only their duty to
the Who'll. country; that this war should not be
waged in the spirit of conquest or subjugati,n,
nor for the purpose of overthrowing or interi r.
ing with the rights institutions of the States
but To defend ant. 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
jects are accomplished the war ought to cease.
10. That we will sustain with all our energies
for the maintenance ofthe Constitution and
OF the integrity of the Union under the Consftu-
ton; but we are opposed to for the emanci
patton Of the negroes, or the subjugation of the
Southern States
by the Northern disunionists. to lbente and arm
the negro slaves. is unconstitutional insulting to
loyal citizens, disgrace to the age, is calculated
TO rctard the suppression ofthe rebellion and me cts
our unqualified condemnation.
IL. That the total disregard of the writ Of ha
beas corpus by the authorities 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 or giving to the party arrested opportu-
nifty ofdeiense are fragrant violations OF the Con
stitution 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 am. of the press are
guaranteed to the people by the Constitution. and
none but usurper would deprive them of these
rights; they inestimable 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 stiie free
discussion are exercises of despotic power agans.
which freedom revots and which not be tole-
rated without converting 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
so legal; or else in violation OF such law and so
illegal Ii the former. We lament that our nation
has been Inundated by their surrender, under
threat; IL the latter. IL the duty of the Ad-
ministraton at once to have dsavowed the act of
their officer, and instead Of incarcerating the cap
tves I'm Fort W arren. to have Immediately re
paired the wrong by placing them as far as prac.
ticable. in the same condition in which that off
Ger had found them. In either event. the action
OF the Administration was vacillating land COW
arily, and degrading to the dignity of great ma
ton.
10. That the action of the Republican party,
manifested in the partisan character of all APP
pointments of the Administration to civil Office;
and. in holding party caucuses by the Republican
members Of Congress for the purpose Of impressing
upon the legislative action 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 hut so many hypocritical and false pretences
by which they hope TO dupe the unwary into thei-
support and We all loyal persons. as they
love their country. not to be deceived thereby
10. That the disclosures made bv the investi-
eating committee in Congress of the enormous
frauds that have staked into the army and navy
departments, duplicating the helds Of those de
partments in n connivance at. ii not an actual
participation in system of corruption. and liz
which our brave soldiers have been deirauded of
their proper supplies and our Government threat
ened with bankruptcy. demands thorough in
vestigatiou into all our expenditures both State