Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-04-21

81
the date Of IT, organization, been IN favor Of the
maintenance Of the Unioo and the preservatono
the Constitution, and seeing in the present condi
ton Of the country the deplorable effects OF
departure from is time .honored and conservative
principles. and the triumph Of sectionslism and
firmly believing that the Union and the Consttu-
ton can he preserved alone by the restoration of
that party % power. we invite all true Union men
throughout the land 20 unite with "a IN sustaining
il organization and carrying out its principles;
Therefore.
R>.of,~d I. That we reaifirm and endorse the
political principles that from time to time have
been put forth by the National Conventions of
the Democratic party.
g That we are unalte,ably attached 10 the
Constitution. by which the Union Of these States
was formed and established and that faithful
observance Of its principles alone continue
the existence OF the Union, and the permanent
happiness of the people.
3. That the present civil war has mainly re
suited from the long continued, unwise, and Ia,
natcal agitation Ia the North. of the question of
domestic slavery, the consequent organization of
a geographical p<rty, guided by the sectional
platforms adopted az Buffalo, Pittsburgh, Phila-
delphia and Chicago, and the developments there
by of sectional hate aud jealousy, producing Gas
had long been foresee. and predicted by u.s. its
counterpart in the South of secession, disunion,
and armed resistance TO the General Government,
and terminating in a bloody strife between those
who should have been forever bouEd together by
fraterrsal bonds, thus bringing upon the whole
country a calamity which We are now to meet as
loyal citizens, STRIVING for the adoption Of that
mode Of settlement best calculated 20 again re
store union and harmony.
T. That in rejecting all propositions likely to
result in a satisfactory adjustment 81 the matters
in dispute between the North and the South. and
especially those measures which would have Sc
cured the border slave States TO the Union. and
hearty co operation on their part in all consttu-
tioDal and legal measures to procure a return Of
the more Southern States 10 their allegiance, the
Republican party assumed fearful response
bilty. and acted IN total Disregard of the best in
terests Of the whole country.
D. That If the party in power had shown the
same desire 10 settle, by amicable adjustment,
our internal discussions before hOstIties had
tualiy commenced, that the Administration has
recently exhibited to avoid a war with our an
cient enemy. Great Britain, we confidently be
lieye that peace and harmony would now 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 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 bv counter revolution, dis
place those who control and direct the present re
beion. That no effort to create or sustain such
party can be successful which is not based upon
a 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 National
Convention.
Z. That the Republican party has fully demon
strated its inability TO conduct the Government
through its present difficulties.
5. That We utterly opposed to the twin
heresies, Northern sectionalism and Southern
secession. inimical TO the Constitution; and
that freemen, as they value the boon of civil lib
erty and the peace of the country. should frown
Indignantly upon them.
o. 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 or subjugati)n,
nor for the purpose Of overthrowing or interfer-
ing with the rights 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 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 Consfifu-
ton but we are opposed TO war for the emanci
patton of the negroes, or the subjugaton of the
Southern States.
III. That the purposes avowed and advocated
bv the Northern disunionists, to lberate and arm
the negro slaves. is unconstitutional, insulting to
loyal citizens, disgrace to the age is calculated
TO rctard the suppression of the rebellion and
our unqualified condemnation.
II. That the total disregard of the writ of ha-
6eos 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 ofdefense, 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 man who
prizes the security and blessings of life liberty and
property.
13. That liberty Of speech anu of the press are
guaranteed TO the people by the Constitution, and
none but usurper would deprive them of these
rights; they are inestimabe to 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 sti1e free
discussion. exercises of despotic power against
which freedom revolts and which can not be tole-
rated without converting freemen into slaves.
Ia. That the seizure of Slidell and Mason, on
board a neutral vessel, on the high seas wis
either in accordance With international law and
so legal: or else in violation OF such law. and so
illegal. If the former. we lament that our nation
ha- been Inundated by their surrender. under a
threat; if the latter, it was the duty of the Ad-
ministraton at once TO have disavowed the act OF
their officer and instead of incarceratng the cap
tives in Fort Warren. TO have Immediately re
paired the wrong by placing them. far a. prac-
ticable, in the same condition in which that Off
Ger had found them. In either event. the action
of The Administration vacillating land COW
nrtly. and degrading to the dignity of great ma
ton.
ID. That the action of the Republican party,
manifested in the partisan character of all ap-
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 action of that body the peculiar
dogmss of that purity have demonstrated that their
professions of sacrificing party platforms and par
~ organizations. upon the altar of their country
are but so many hypocritical and false pretences
by which they hope to dupe the unwary into their
support; and We warn all loyal persons, a they
love their country. not to be deceived thereby.
l6. That the disclosures made bv the invest
eating committee in Congress of the enormous
frauds that have stalkei into the army and nav
departments, duplicating the heads of those de
partments IN a cOnniyance at, ii not actual
participation IN system of corruption. and in
which our brave soldiers have been delrauded OF
their proper supplies and our Government threat