Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-06-13
A New Union.


one sugie solemn purpose. il i iB the hear
OF the loyal American people On save the Union
which hss been TIE blessing Of onF fathers, our
seive-. and the world But that Purpose . not ia
the hearts Of al Americans. There Is large
body OF men in the Southern Stste~ who
seeking the severance OF the Union. There Is
smaller, bar an active body ct men in the North
ern States. Who have in mind vague idea that
the Union may be remodeled. or reformed, and
that the present opportunity should De made use
of 10 effect revolution. Let Us give them
credit for sincerity in the desire to thus improve
our Government. But will they do 1t on their
plan?
If the American Union is saved, it @ of
course only be by the salvation Of the Coustitu-
ton. This il in fact truism, for the Union Is
the Constitution. IL is perhaps in the minds of
some men 10 establish a new Union out Of the
fragm Of the old. THIS appears 10 be the
idea OF the radical party. The Constitution is
in their view a failure. inasmuch il has not
compshed the objects which they suppose il was
intended to effect. For instance. they say il
intendea 10 secure liberty 10 all classes and con-
ditions of men. whereas slavery not only exists
under il. bu, finds protection from il. Some
among them ims giLe that there Is oppor
unity Of considering the Constitution suspended
for a while by the state Of war; and that this in
terval may be taken advantage of To sweep away
slavery. and then let the Constitution return to
it, full vigor a country in which slavery does
not exist This idea is shadowed forth IN the
vague notions OF the var power, which
they suppose overrides the Constitution
But there is a difficulty in their way,
consisting in the fact that on the restora-
ton OF peace and constitutional law, States might
restore slavery within their several jurisdictions
To this idea and prevent It's realization.
some one introduced into the House OF Repre-
sentatives. few days ago. bill to prevent the
reduction to slavery or involuntary servitude of
person once free But there il a difficulty still
existing which this bill will not do away With
A. d. from the constitutional validity of the act
il is too sweeping for "Involuntary servitude' is
a broad phrase and slavery" j. by 40 means
such distinct matter that all understand
it alike. Ia New England they have "A way OF
selling out their paupers 10 the highest bidder pei
annum, or rather ~ the lowest bidder, giving the
involuntary service of the pauper to the man who
will board and lodge and work him at the lowest
rate. It's reasonable. humane, aud generally
desirable plan. and ought not to be abolished ~
il would be by this proposed act Of Congress.
Apprenticeship To exist in all the States. which
are involuntary servitudes, aud ought not 10 be
prohibited AZ they would be by this act. The
rights q. parents u the services of their children
until such period the State shall declare minor
ity to cease. is an involuntary servtude and the
act would be destructiveO oil that right. In short.
the exceptions which must be inserted in the Jill
are more numerous than could be counted up dt
once, and on the whole il seems that the idea can
not be put into practical form unless we are
ready to adopt the absolute liberty iGea Of the
French Revolution. dschargng children and
wives and all other persons from all restraint.
Besides all which the power OF States TO establish
warehouses. 10 decree relations OF service grow
ing out of local necessity. and to authorize
and enforce laws regulating domestic institutions
seems 10 be one of the reserved powers, not
granted to Congress by the Constitution.
The Constitution, therefore, Is the great rock
in the way OF the radical railroad. lt cannot be
tunneled. It cannot he surmOunted, and il is OIL Y
too evident thrt all OF the stockholders of this
road are now ready to go on with the blasting
process.
But what lies beyOndl
Not the American Union. Not the nation oil
Washington and the great revolution Not the
country which has grown to be Tie bleSsng
OF the world, the hope OF all nations of the earth
Some other Union, some other Constitution
some other principle which the Fathers knew not
will rule the land that has been hitherto govern
ed by the most benehcent government the world
has known What Is that principle likely to be
II radical ideas prevaill The foundation prncI
pie OF the old Constitution and the Union was
and is this that it is possible for thirteen or thirty
States, for all the States. in all the world, t.
come together under form oil government which
permits the several States TO manage their owl
Affairs except so far as they unanimously give
powers TO their Central Government. The wis
dom of the plan in choosing what power:
should belong 10 the Federation The underly-
ing principle of the whole WAS that where the
States could not agree, they must either agree Il
differ. or IN matter of common interes: must
find common ground Of meeting by mutual
Welding 10 tile views and wishes each of the
other. Since man has been created it has been
Impossible Tor any two or more men 10 act 10.
eether for any great end on any other principle
than that. But tie theory on which K u
callsm proposes 10 organize new Constitution
is this. that where any one State holds and prac
tees doctrines which the majority dislike and dis
approve. those doctrines are contrary 10 public
peace and unity, and must De eIadcated. II
plain WORKS the theory is ths:-We 10 not like
slavery. Dsagreements about it will arise /
must therefore be destroyed. The new Union
must be one ia which it Is forbidden.
The slavery question is the present and promi
nent question in the radical mind But this prin
ciple which i brought to light in the treatment
the question extends 10 al Others Religious
differences, it the, subjects of political dis
cussion, would lead n they have led elsewhere L
civil wars OF the ferceSt character The pro
posed Introduction into Constitution of tn
general grinciple that the moral sense OF he ma
jority shall determine the moral and political Law
OF all parts OF the nation would plunge an,
Democratic nation into religious wars in ever,
successive decade until the people were destroye,
or the Government became despotic Ii is in dia
met,icl opposition 10 the American principle {,
hold that an institution OF one State, which il
deemed objectionable-in other States must be re
moved To prevet dsCOrd. For that principle wOul,
introduce a thousand subjects OF dispute. State
would require assimilation of political religious
commercial and social institutions in the Others
and the Union formed such a principle wOul,
not las; ten wears. 1t IS in vain that We propos,
10 seek resting place in the chaos that will fol
low a breaking up of the Union as il was. or
departure from the great principles OF the COnsti
tuition a. it is The crime OF Southern rebellion
was IN seeking such future when their onil
ho, e OF safety and prosperity was in the Union
The politician who nov processes TO initiate ihei
error. by seeking To form new Union. on a nes
principle. Is, though he bee1er sincere. leading
the nation to perJition.-N. u Journal o. Com
nIeTce.
From the Louisville Democrat.