Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-05-20
UNION DEn0CRATuc PLATFomn.


the date Of ts organization. been m favor OF the
maintenance OF the Un:,a and the preservation
the Constitution, and seeing in the present condi
non Of the country the deplorable effects Of a
departure from its time honored and conserv alive
principles and the triumph Of secfionalism: and
firmly believing that the Union and the Consttn-
ton Can be prescribed alone by the restoration OF
that party u power, We invite all true Union men
throughout the land 10 unite with IA IN sustaining
is organization and carrying out it, principles:
Therefore.
Resoioed L. That we reaiirm and endorse the
political principles that from time 10 time ha e
been put forth BY the National Conventions OF
the Democratic party.
2 That we are unalterably attached TO the
Constitution. by which the Union of these States
vas 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.
8. That the present civil war has mainly re
suited from the long continued. unwise. ami "a
naticsl agitation IN the North. of the question of
domestic slavery, the consequent organization Of
n geographical party, guided by the sectional
platforms adopted at Buffalo. Pittsburgh Pha-
delphia and Chicago, and the development there
by of sectional hate and JEALOUSY. producing las
had long been foreseen and predicted by us) its
counterpart 10 the South of secession, disuniOn,
and armed resistance TO the General Government,
and terminating in bloody strife between those
who should have been forever bounc together by
frateriIal 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 10 again re
store union and harmony.
4 That in rejecting all propositions likely to
result III satisfactory adjustment of the matters
IN dispute betSeen the North and the South. and
especially those measures which would have Sc
cured the border slave States to the Union. and
hearty cooperation on their part IN all c0nstitu
ti0nal and legal measures To procure a return of
the more Southern States to their allegiance, the
Republican party assumed fearful response
bility, and acted in total disregard of the best in
tere-ts of the whole country.
D. That II the party in power had shown the
same desire 20 settle, by amicable adjustment,
our internal discussions before hostilities had
tually commenced, that the Administration has
recently exhibited to avoid n war with our an
Gent enemy. Great Britain, we confidently be
lleve that peace and harmony would now reign
throughout all 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 TO the Government-and in our judgment
this purpose can only be accomplished. by the
sscendency of Union party in the Southern
States. which shall, bv counter revolution, dis
place those who control and direct the present re
belion. That effort to create or sustain such
purity can be successful which is not based upon
n dc finite 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 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.
g. That are utterly opposed to the twin
heresies. Northern sectionallsm and Southern
secession, as 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. 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 subiugati,rf
nor for The purpose of overthrowing or interfHr
ing with the rights or institutions of the States.
but to defend and 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 as soon these OBJ
jects are accomplished the war ought to cease
10 That we will sustain. with all our energies.
avar for the maintenance ofthe Constitution and
OF the integrity of the Union under the Consffu-
ton; but we are opposed 10 a war for the enamel
patton of the negroes, or the subjugation of the
Southern States.
H. That the purposes avowed and advocated
by the Northern disunionists, to liberate and arm
the negro slaves. is unconstitutional Insulting TO
loyal citizens, disgrace to the age. is calculated
TO rc'ard the suppression of the rebellion and me
our unqualified condemnation.
- That the total disregard Of the writ of ha-
bcas 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 OILS and without assigning any
cause giving to the party arrested any opportu-
nifty of defense are fragrant violations OF the Con
st'tution 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 te liberty and
property.
Is. That liberty of speech anu of the press are
guaranteed to the people by the Constitution, and
none but a usurper would deprive them of these
rights; they are inestimable to the citizen and
formidable to tyrants only. And the attempts
which have been made since our present unfortu
nate troubles, 10 muzzle the press and stile free
discussion, exercises of despotc power against
which freedom revolts and which can not be toe
rated without converting freemen into slaves
Ii. That the seizure of Sdell and Mason on
board a neutral vessel on the high seas was
either in accordance with international law and
so legal: else in violation OF such law. and so
illegal. Ii the former. we lament that our nation
has been Inundated by their surrender, under a
threat; if the latter. il was the duty of the Ad-
ministraton at once TO have disavowed the act of
their officer and instead of incarceratng the cap
tives in Fort Warren. TO have Immediately re
paired the wrong by placing them, as far as prac-
ncable, an the same condition in which that Off
Ger had found them. In either event the action
oil The Administration was vacillating land COW
ardly. and degrading to the dignity of great ma
ton.
ID. 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 ofimpressing
upon the legislative action of that body the peculiar
dogmas of that purity have demonstrated that their
professions sacrificing party platforms and par
" organizations, upon the altar of their country"
are but 30 many hypocritical and false pretences
by which they hope 10 dupe the unwary into Their
support; aud We warn all loyal persons. as they
love their country. not 10 be deceived thereby.
l6- That the disclosures made by the invest.
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 a connivance at, il not an actual
participation in system of corruption, and ir
which our brave soldiers have been deirauded of
their proper supplies. and our Government threat
ened with bankruptcy, demands thorough In
lnft all