Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-02-17

principles, and The triumph Of sectiouAlism: AZ
firmly believing that the Union and the Constitu
ton can Le preserved alOBs by The restoration .
that party 20 power, We invite all true Union mef
throughout the land TO unite with in sustaining
it organization and carrying out is principles
Therefore
Resoiood, 1. That ne reafirm and endorse I'D
political principles that from tine 20 time have
been put forth by the National Conventions o
the Democratic party.
That We are unatcrably attached to thc
Constitution. by which the Union Of thr-~e Stats-
WAS formed aud established and that a f,ithfr
observance Of is principles can alone continue
the existence of the Union. and the permanent
happiness OF the people.
g. That the present civil war has mainly ~
suited from the leng continued. unwise and IA
natical agitation, in the North of the question of
domestic slavery. the consequent organization oil
geographical party, guided by the sectional
platforms adopted al Buffalo, Pittsburgh. Pha
delphia, and Chicago, and the development there
by Of sectional hate and JEALOUSY. producing as
had long been foreseen and predicted by us) H.
counterpart in the South of secession. disunion
and armed resistance 20 the Cencral Government
and terminating IN bloody strife between th0se
who should have been forever bound together by
fraterual bonds. thus bringing upon the whole
country a calamity which We are now 20 meet as
loyal citizens, STRIVING for the adoption of that
mode of settlement best calculated 20 again re
store union and harmony
4. That ia rejecting all propositions likely to
result in 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 10 the Union. and a
hearty operation on their part In all coglstitu-
tional and legal measures TO procure a return of
the more Southern States to their allegiance. the
Republican party assumed a fearful responsi-
bty, and acted in total disregard Of the best in
tercsts of the whole country
,. That If the party in power had shown the
same desire to settle by amicable adjustment
internal dissensions before hostilities had a.
tually commenced that the Administration has
recently exhibited to avoid war with our an
cient enemy. Great Britain. confidently bc
leve that peace and harmony would now reign
throughout all our borders.
D. That the maintenance of the Union upon
the principles of the Federal Constitution should
be the controlling object Of all who profess loy-
atty 70 the Govern nment--and I'm our Judgment
this purpose can only bc accomplished, by the
ascendency of Union party in the Southern
States, which shall. by a counter revolution dis
place those who control and direc. the prescnt re
bellion. That no effort 10 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 a National
Convention.
Z. That the Republican party has fully demon
strated its inability 10 conduct the Government
through its present difficulties.
9 That we are utterly opposed 10 the twin
heresies, Northern sectionalsm and Southern
secession, as nimcal 20 the Constitution: and
that freemen. as they value the boon of civil lb-
erty and the peace of the country, should frown
Indignantly upon them.
.. That in this national emergency the Democ-
racy of Indiana, banishng ell feeling Of passion
and resentment. will recoliect only their duty 10
the whole country: that this war should not be
waged ia the spirit of conquest or subugatiDn
nor for the purpose of 0yerthrowing or interfer-
ing with the rights or institutions of the States
but To defend and maintain the SUPREMACY of the
Constitution. and 10 preserve the Union with all
the dignity, equality and rights of the several
States unimpaired; and that as soon as these OBJ
jects are accomplished the war ought to 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 Constitu-
tioR but we are opposed 10 war for the emanci
patton of the negroes, OF the subugaton Of the
Southern States.
IL. That the purposes avowed and advocated
by the Northern dsunionists 10 liberate and arm
loyal citizens disgrace 10 the age, Is calculated
10 rctard the suppression the rebellion and meets
our unqualified condemnation.
IL. That the total disregard of the writ Of Ia
beas corpus by the authorities over u.s. 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 ofdefense are fragrant violations Of the Con
II.
power, which should receive the stern rebuke of
every lover OF his country and of every man who
prizes the security and blessings of lfe liberty aud
property.
l3. That liberty Of speech an. Of the pres are
guaranteed to the people by the Constitution, and
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 unlortu
nate troubles, 70 muzzle the press and stfe free
discussion are exercises Of despotic power against
which freedom rcvolts and which can not be tole
rated without converting freemen into slaves.
IL. That the seizure of Slidell and Mason, on
board a neutral vessel on the high seas, was
either in accordance with international law. and
so legal; or else in violation OF such law, and 80
illegal. If the former. we lament that our nation
has been humiliatei by their surrender, under
threat; if the latter, il was the duty of the Ad
at once 90 have disavowed the act of
their officer, and instead of incarcerating the cap
tives in Fort Warren. 10 have Immediately re
paired the wrong by placing them, a. Ear as prac
ncable, IN the same condition in which that Off
Ger had found them In either event the action
OF the Administration vacillatlng land COW
ar'lly, and degrading to the dignity of great na
ton.
II. That the action cf the Republican party.
as manifested IN the partisan character Of all ap-
pontments of the Administration 70 civil Office;
and, IN holding party caucGses by the Republican
members Of Congress for the purpose OfimIaessing
upon the legislative sctlOn 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 so many hypocritical and false pretences
By which they hope 20 dupe the unwary INTO their
support and warn all loyal persons, as thev
love their country, not 10 be deceived thereby
10. That the disclosures made by the invest
eating committee in Congress of the enormous
frauds that have stalked into the arUnv and navy
departments, duplicating the heads Of those de
partments IN a cOnnivance at, If not an actual
participation in system Of corruption, and IN
which our brave soldiers have been dcirauded Of
their proper supplies. and our Government threat
enei with bankruptcy, demands thorough in-
VestgauOn into all our expenditures, both State
md National. and that a speedy and marked ex-
ample be made of all such birds Of prey" Who,
iakiDg advantage Of the necessities Of our coun