Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-05-27
UNION DEmOCRAruC PLATFORM.

"hhhhAs, ihe Democratic party having, from
the date OF its organization, been in favor Of the
maintenance OF the Union and the preservation
the Constitution, and seeing in the present cond
ton of the country the deplorabie effects of a
departure from its time -honored and conservative
principles, and the triumph Of sectionalism; and
hrmiy believing that the Union and the Consttu-
uoa can be preserved alone by the restoration of
that party 10 power, invite all true Union men
throughout the land TO unite with US in sustaining
IT. organization and carrying out it, principles:
Therefore,
Resoiped, 1. That We reaffirm and endorse the
political principles that from time TO time have
been put forth by the National Conventions OF
the Democratic party.
2. That we are unalterably attached TO the
Constitution. BY which the Union of these States
was formed and established; and that a faithful
Observance OF it, principles can alone continue
the existence of the Union, and the permanent
happiness of the people
8. That the present civil war has mainly re
suited from the long continued, unwise. and "a.
Datical agitation, In the North Of the question Of
domestic slavery, the consequent organization of
a geographical party, guided BIZ the sectional
platforms adopted at Buffalo Pittsburgh, Phila-
dolphin. and Chicago, and the development there
by Of sectional hate and JEALOUSY. producing (as
bad long been foreseen and predicted by u.s. its
counterpart In the South Of secession, disunion,
and armed resistance TO the General Government,
and terminating in bloody strife between those
who should have been forever bound together by
fraterral bonds, thus bringing upon the whole
country a calamity which are now to meet az
loyal citizens. STRIVING for the adoption Of that
mode of settlement best calculated to again re
store union and harmony.
4. That in rejecting all propositions likely TO
result in 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 to the Union. and
hearty CO operation on their part in all consttu.
tonal and legal measures 20 procure a return of
the more Southern States to their allegiance, the
Republican party assumed a fearful response
bility. and acted in total disregard of the best in
terests of the whole country.
,. That II the party in power had shown the
same desire 10 settle, by amcable adjustment
internal dissensons before hostilites had ac-
tually commenced, that the Administration has
recently exhibited TO avoid n war with our an
cient enemv Great Britain. we confidently be
lieve that peace and harmony would now reign
throughout all our borders.
g. 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 i'm our judgment
this purpose can only be accomplished, by the
ascendency of Union party in the Southern
States, which shall, bv "A counter revolution dis
ptttt ltlp-t NUD anu uiItfL TIE re
bellion. That no effort TO create sustain such
party can be successful which j. not based upon
definite settlement of the questions nj issue be
tween the two sections: and we therefore demand
that some such settlement be made by additional
constitutional guaranty either initiated by of
Congress through the medium of a National
Convention.
T. That the Republican party has fully demon
strated its inability To conduct the Government
through is present difficulties.
9. That utterly opposed to the twin
heresies. Northern sectionalism and Southern
secession, as inimica To the Constitutions: and
that freemen. they value the boon of civil lib
erty and the peace OF the country, should irown
Indignantly upon them.
3. That in this national emergency the Democ-
racy Of Indiana, banishng 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 subugati,n
nor for the purpose of Overthrowing ntert IT
ing with the rights or institutions of the States
but To defend and maintain the supremacy of the
Constitution. and To preserve the Union with al
the dignity, equality and rights OF the several
States unlmpared; and that as soon as these ob-
iects are accomplished the ought to cease.
10. That we will sustain. with all our energies
awar for the maintenance ofthe Constitution, and
OF the integrity of the Union under the Consfifu-
tom but we are opposed TO n war for the emanci
patton OF the negroes, or the su1jugation of the
Southern States.
IL. That the purposes avowed and advocated
by the Northern disunionists, to iberate and arm
the negro slaves, is unconstitutional insulting to
loyal citizens, disgrace to the age. is calculated
to rctarl the suppression ofthe rebellion and me cts
our unqualified condemnation.
IL. That the total disregard of the writ of ha
beas corpus by the authorities over US and the
seizure and imprisonment of the citizens of loyal
States where the judiciary il in full operation,
without warrant of law and without assigning any
cause giving to the party arrested any opportu-
nifty ofdeiense, are fragrant violations of the Con
stituton and most alarming acts OF usurpaton 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.
ID. That liberty of speech anG of the press are
guaranteed to the people by the Constitution. and
none but usurper would deprive them of these
rights: they inestimable the citizen and
formidable TO tyrants only. And the attempts
which have been made since our present unfortu.
nate troubles. TO muzze the press and stihe free
discussion, exercises of despotc power against
which freedom revolts and which can not be tole-
rated without converting freemen into slaves
ii. That the seizure of Sldell and Mason, on
board neutral vessel on the high seas. was
either in accordance with international law, and
so legal: or else IN violation of such law and so
heGh III the FORMER, we lament That our nation
has been Inundated by their surrender, under a
threat; IL the latter. il was the duty Of the Ad
ministration at once To have disavowed the act of
their officer, and instead of incarccrating the cap
uves IN Fort Warren. to have Immediately re
paired the wrong by placing them. as far as prac-
ucable. in tae same condition in which that off
Ger had found them. In either event, the action
OF the Administration was vaciatng land cow
ardiy. and degrading to the dignity of great ma
ton.
IL. That The action of the Republican marty.
a manifested in the ptrtsan character OF all an
pointments of the Administration 10 civil office.
and. IN hold ng party caucuses by the Republican
members of Congress for the purpose OF impressing
upon the legislative OF that body the peculiar
dogmas of that party have demonstrated that their
professions OF sacrificing party platforms aud par
ty Organizations, upon the altar of their country"
are out 50 many hypocritical and false pretences
by which they hope to dupe the unwary into Their
support; and We warn all loyal persons. as they
love Their country. not TO be decciv ell thereby
10 That the disclosures nude bv the invest
eating committee ia Congress of the enormous
frauds that have >talked into the arm~ and navy
departments, duplicating the heads of those de
partments IN a connivance at if not an actual
participation IN system of corruption. and liz
which our brave soldiers have been delraudei of
theD proper supplies and our Government threat
ened with bankruptcy. demands n thOrDupb in &