Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-10-13
Voting Against Army supplies
Iair=lRRo.


The Republican press and Republican speakers
charge "disloyalty" upon all who question the
wisdom and justice of all the measures Of the
party in power 1t the tax and tariff acts are
pronounced unequal and unfair in their operation
upon different sections of the country, those who
take that view of the question at once de-
n0unced as TRAITORS" Circumstances often alter
cases. Never before has any party exhibited the
patriotsm-the unselfsh devotion to the coun-
try that has distinguished the Democracy since the
Inauguration of Mr.. LINCOLN Nobly, generously
and cheerfully have they sustained the Admins
tratiOn in its effort overthrow the rebellion. All
the men and all the money it has asked for have
been promptly furnished by Democrats equally
with Republicans. How different would be the
condition of the country now if the Democracy
had refused to sustain the party in power-if
they had kept aloof from the terrible struggle
which even yet threatens the destruction of the
Union. If the circumstances were reversed
if Democrats instead OF Republicans were in
power, judging from the experience of the past,
there is no probability that the Republicans
would give that generous and hearty support to
In 1912 the Democrats were in power, and
the nation was engaged in war with Great
Britain. Did the Republicans of that day sustain
the Administration in that fierce struggle with
our ancient enemy? No. They 6ercely opposed
the war, bitterly denounced those who represent
ed the Government and thus gave laid and CON-
fort" to the enemy.
h =. -.
Mexico We then had Democratic Admins
tration. For that reason the war was denounced
BY the Republicans of that day 1t was by them
pronounced an unholy war, and every obstacle
thrown in the way of its success In Congress
the opposition to the Democracy voted against
the appropriations for our army in Mexico-lor
our citizens who had volunteered to vindi-
cate the honor Of the Government upon for
eign soil They voted against the pay of volun-
teers; they voted against pro%iding for the COM
fort of discharged and disabled soldiers, and
forwarding destitute soldiers to their homes;
they voted against the subsistence of volunteers,
and they voted against appropriations for the
medical aud hospital departments.
No such factiOus conduct has characterized the
Democracy under the present Republican Admin
istration. Believing that the Troubles now upon
the country could have been avoided, and that
they should have been, yet when the Government
assailed, regardless OF who stood at the helm
to direct the ship of State. the Democracy
fully came TO the rescue, and without their aid
ere now she would have stranded.
We call the attention of our distinguished
friend, Dir. Secretary SMITH, TO these facts. Stu
ated he is he appreciate the value of a cor
dial support of the Government by men of all
parties when engaged in foreign war or in civil
strife But in lS47 he thought and acted differ
emily. He was then a member of Congress.
He did not then think it wrong to OPP
pose the Administration. He denounced the
war. With GIDDNes he voted against supplies
for the army then vigorously prosecuting the war.
He had then no sympathy for our brave volun-
teers engaged in struggle which added an
empire to our dominons. These facts Mr..
SIXTH and the Republican party generally should
not only remember but it should teach them the
propriety of liberation toward political opponents
In l647 they did not think it inconsistent with
loyalty to the Government to critcise the acts
and oppose the policy eff the Administration in
power, Notwithstanding the country was engaged
IN war, and the same rights and privileges they
claimed for themselves then they should be will
ling to eoncede to their political opponents now.