Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-02-15

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naln,enAncs OF The CnioO and the pressrvsfion Of
the Constitution, and seeing IN the present ooDdi
ton OF the country the depiorabie effects Of a
departure from its time hon0rea and conservative
FnBciples. aDd ne tranph Of sectio4ausus: .nd
firmly believing that the L mon and the Corstitu-
ton can be preserved alone by toe restoration Of
that party 70 power. we invite all true Union men
throughout the land 20 unite with In sustaining
- organization and carrying out IL principles
Therefore,
Resoloed. l. That We rcafiirm and endorse she
political principles that from time 70 time hsve
been pat forth by the National Conventions OF
the Democratic party
, That We are unalterabis attached % the
Constitution. BY ~hich the Union Of these States
was formed and established; and that A faithful
observance Of its principles can alone continue
the existence ef the Union. and the permanent
happiness Of the people.
2 That the present civil war has mainly re
suited from the long continued unwise. and IA.
natcal agitation, in the North Of the question Of
domestic slavery. the consequent organization Of
a geographical party, guided by the sectional
platforms adopted az Buffalo. Pittsburgh. Phils-
delphis. and Chicago and the development there
by Of sectional hate and jealousy. producing las
had long been foreseen and predicted by vs. its
counterpart in the South OF secession, disunion.
and armed resistance 70 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 a calamity which are now 90 meet IS
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 %
result in a satisfactory adjustment Of the matters
in dispute between the North and the South. ard
especially those measures which would have Sc
cured the border slave States To the UnlOn and a
hearty CO operation on their part in all eOnstitU
tonal and legal measures 70 procure a return Of
the more Southern States 10 their allegiance. the
Republican party assumed fearful respOnsi-
bility, aud acted IN total disregard Of the best in
terests Of the whole country.
5. That if the party in power had shown the
same desire 10 settle by amicable adjustment,
our internal dssensions before hostities had &C
tually commenced, that the Administration has
recently exhibited to avoid a war with our an
cient enemy. Great Britain. we confidently be
lieve that peace and harmony would nov reign
throughout all our borders.
6. 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 ia our judgment
this purpose can only be accomplished. by the
sscendency of Union party ia the Southern
States. which shall. by counter revolution. dis
place those who control and direct the present re
be0n. That no effort 20 create OF sustain such
a party can be successful which l. 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 through the medum of National
Convention.
T. That the Republican party has fully demon
strated its inability conduct the Government
through its present difficulties.
.. That ne are utterly opposed 10 the twin
heresies, Northern sectionaiism and Southern
secession, as inimical 90 the Constitution; aud
that freemen as they value the boon OF civil lib-
erty and the peace of the country. should frovn
Indignantly upon them.
g. That in this national emergency the Democ-
racy of Indiana, banishing all feeling Of passion
and resentment, will recolect only their duty 10
the whole country: that this war should not be
waged in the spirit of conquest or subugatjn,
nor for the purpose Of overthrowing or interfer-
ing with the rights institutions of the States
but 10 defend and maintain the supremacy Of the
Constitution, and to preserve the Union with all
the dignity, equality and rights OF the several
States unimpared: and that as soon as these OBJ
lects accomplished the ought 20 cease.
10. That we will sustain, with all our energies
war for the maintenance ofthe Constitution, and
OF the integrity of the Union under the Consfifn-
tion; but we are opposed 10 war for the emanci
patton Of the negroes, or the subjugation OF the
Southern States.
IL. That the purposes avowed and advocated
the negro slaves. is unconstitutional insulting TO
loyal citizens, disgrace 10 the age, is calculated
10 rctard the suppression of the rebellion and mo cts
our unqualified condemnation.
~. That the total disregard Of the writ Of no.
beas 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 OF defense, are fragrant violations Of the Con
stitution and most alarming acts of usurpati0n 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 fe liberty and
property.
Is. That liberty Of speech ant of the press are
guaranteed TO the people by the Constitution, aud
none but usurper would deprive them Of these
rights; they are inestimabe 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 stiHe 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 a neutral vessel on the high seas was
either IN accordance with international law and
20 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 a
threat; if the latter il the duty Of the Ad-
ministratlon At once 10 have disavowed the act Of
their officer. and instead of ncarcerating the cap
tves in Fort Warren. to have Immediately re
paired the wrong by placing them, A. far ms prAc
tcable IN the same condition in which that Off
Ger had found them. In either event. the action
of the Administration vas vacillating .aud COW
ardly, and degrading to the dignity of great ma
ton.
To- That the action of the Republican party
a. manifested IN the partisan character OF all ap.
pointments of the Administration 70 civil Office
and, III holding party caucuscs by the Republican
members of Congress for the purpose OfimpressinS
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 but 80 many hypOcritical and false Pretences
by which they hope to dupe the unwary into their
support; and we warn all loyal persons. they
love their country, not % be deceived thereby.
l6. That the disclosures made by the invest
eating committee in Congress of the enormous
frauds that have stalked into the srmS aud navy
departments, duplicating the heads Of those dc
partments IN a connvance at. If not an actual
participation in system Of corruption aud in
which our brave soldiers have been deirauded OF
their proper supplies. and our Government threat
ened with bankruptcy, demands thorough in
vestgation into all our expenditures, both State