Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-02-20
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ne Conssitution. and seeing in The present cosci
ton Of the country the deplorable effects OF
departure from is time houorei and conservative
principles. and the triumph Of seciionslsn. and
firmly believing that the Union and the Constitu-
ton ctn be preserved slons by the restoration Of
that pariy 70 power, We invite all true Union men
throughout the land 20 unite eifh in sustaining
its organization and carrying cut its principles
Therefore
Resolred, l. That we reaffirm and endorse he
political principles that from time TO time have
been put forth By the National Conventions II
the Democratic party.
,. That are unalterably attached 10 the
Constitution. by which the Union Of these Sistc-
formed and established. and that a faithful
observance Of its principles can alone continue
the existence Of the Union. and tse pcrmaneu,
happiness Of the people
Z. That the present civil war has mainly ~
suited from the long continued. unwise. and T.
natical agitation, In the North, Of the question OF
domestic slavery, the consequent organization Of
a geographical party, guided by the sectional
platforms adopted al Buffalo, Pittsburgh. Phila
delphia aud Chicago. and the development there
by Of sectional hate aud jealousy. producing A.
bad long been foreseen and predicted by us its
counterpart IN the South Of secession disunon
and armed resistance % the General Government
and terminating IN a bloody strife between those
who should have been forever bound together by
fraternal bonds. thus bringing upon the whole
country calamity which We are nov TO meet
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 bet~ cen the North and the South. and
especially those measures which would have sc
cured the border slave States 20 the Unlon aud =
hearty CO operation on their part in all conStitu-
aHl ma tn saf
the more Southern States 10 their allegiance. the
Republican party assumed a fearful responsi-
bty. and acted IN total Disregard of the best Ia
terests of the whole country
,. That ii the party in power had shown the
same desire 10 settle. by amcable adjustment
our internal dissensions before hostilites had ac
tually commenced. that the Administration has
recently exhibited TO avoid a war with our an
eent enemy Great Britain. We confidently be
heve that peace and harmony would now reign
throughout all our borlers.
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
ascendency of Union party in the Southern
States which shall. by counter revolution. dis
place those who control and direct the present re
belion. That no effort 10 create or sustain such
"A 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 of
Congress or through the medium Of National
Convention.
4. That the Republican party has fully demon
strated it, inability TO conduct ,he Government
through its present difficulties
.. That utterly opposed % the twin
hereses Northern sectiOnasm and Southern
4
that freemen, as they value the boon Of civil lib
erty and the peace of the country, should fro~n
Indignantly upon them
y. That in this national emergency the Democ-
racy OF Indiana, banishing 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 subjugation.
nor for the purpose of overthrowing interfer-
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 these oh
jects accomplished the war ought TO cease.
10. That we will sustain. with all our energies,
a for the maintenance ofthe Constitution, and
OF the integrity of the Union under fks CoRsfifu-
ton but We are opposed TO a war for the emanci
patton of the negroes, or the subjugstion of the
Southern States.
III. That the purposes ayowed and advocated
by the Northern disunonists to liberate and arm
the negro slaves. Is unconstitutional, insulting 20
loyal citizens disgrace TO the age Is calculated
to rctard the suppression of the rebellion and meets
our unqualified condemnation.
II. That the total disregard of the writ Of ho
be0s 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 of Law and without assigning any
cause or giving to the party arrested any 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 who
prizes the security and blessings of life. liberty and
property.
I3 That liberty of speech anG 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 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 stifie free
discussion, exercises Of despotic power against
which freedom revolts and which can not be tole
rated without converting freemen into slaves.
Ii. That the seizure of Slidell and Mason on
board neutral vessel. on the high seas, was
either in accordance with international law, and
so legal; else in violation OF such law and ~
illegal. If the former. We lament that our nation
has been Inundated by their surrender. under a
threat; If the latter. IL the duty Of the Ad
ministraton at once 20 have disavowei the act of
their officer and instead of ncarcerating the cap
tives in Fort Warren. to have immediately &c
paired the wrong by placing them, a. far Irac
ticable, in the same condition in which that of';
Ger had found them. In either event the action
of the Administration was vacillating land COW
ardly, and degrading to the dignity OF great na
ton
Is. That the action Of the Republican party
manifested in the partisan character of all az.
pointments of the Administration 20 civil Office
and. IN holding party caucuses by the Republican
members of Congress for the purpose ofimpressing
upon the legislative Of that body the peculiar
dogmas of that party have demonstrated that their
professions OF sacrificing party platforms aud par
~ organizations upon the altar Of their country"
are but many hypocritical and false pretences
by which they hope % dupe the unwary into their
support; and we warn all loyal persons. az they
love their country, not to be deceived thereby.
l6. That the disclosures made BY the invests
eating committee in Congress Of the enorrnou.
frauds that have staiked into the armv aud navv
departments, duplicating the heads of those de
partments IN 4 connivance at If not an actual
participation IN a system Of corruption and in
which our brave soldiers have been deirauded of
their proper supplies. and our Government threat
ened with bankruptcy, demands thorough in
vestigation into all our expenditures. both State