Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-02-10

lSuug law.
"5 The introduction Of letters de caehet, bas-
tiles, and the midnight secret proceedings of the
Inquisltion.
'6 The interdiction of exports.
a. The favoring Of some ports to the prejudice
of others.
as The regulation of the commerce ofa State
within its own bounds.
"9 TO impair the freedom of speech and the
press.
10 To infringe the peoples right to keep
and bear arms.
III To make unreasonable searches and
seizures.
"l2 To prohibit emigration or require pass
port
''I3 To dismiss the police of a city in an un-
proclaimed Sate, and appoint others in their
place"
Here are twenty important laws or const,u-
tioual provisions which the President has viola
ted according 10 this learned authority; and we
all know that since the commencement of this
struggle no man has written or spoke more ear
nestly for the preservation of the Union than has
Chancellor Nicholas of Kentucky but, being one
of those who believe that the Union can only be
preserved bv preserving the Constitution he con-
sders that he has right to enunciate these opin-
ions without his loyalty being questioned This
is all have been claiming for myself that is all
that ask TO be meted out for the Senator from
Indiana. Chancellor Nicholas SAYS:
Here are twenty important laws or consttu-
tional provisions which he (the President) has
grossly, willfuy violated. His usurpations are
so extensive that it would narrow the inquiry to
ask what law or constitutional provision he has
not violated rather than TO ask which he has yio
lated or usurped upon. The rights, the safe
guards he has taken away are greater, far great
er, than those he has left"
Now, ask YOU, it the Senator from Indiana
has ever undertaken TO utter in his place here,
or to write or to publish such attack this
upon the President of the United States or upon
the exercise of authority by the President of the
United StatesT Never. If gentlemen who have
preceded me had referred to the course of the
Senator from Indiana more correctly; if they had
taken the trouble to examine our records rather
than to take it for granted that he has opposed
everything. in my judgment, they would have
found that, but three or four occasions, has he
ODened his mouth against any bill which the ma
jOrity of this body has asked the adoption of. He
has availed himself simply of the right which ev-
cry Senator has--if his judgment does not ap-
prove of an act, not to offer you factOus Opposi.
ton, but to record a silent vote, and let YOU be
unObstructed in your legislation. Had he risen
in his place, and announced the principles which
Chancellor Nicholas has announced and publish
ed to the country, ! ask you if we should not
have heard them reiterated over and over again
in this debate. Would you have said that these
we're causes lot his eApulSlOu because ne nilu Ut
tered these sentlmentsl And vet no man in
kentucky. no man in the United States, that
have ever heard of, questions the loyalty the pa
triotism, the devotion of Chancellor Nicholas
not only to the Union, but to the Constitution of
his country.
In the language of the same distinguished
writer:
The nation is now afflicted with two terrible
going on together. The war against the
-, al 81
being waged simultaneously. Each wears
threatening aspect of great peril Which pre-
sents the greater peril it would be difficult to de-
eide. Which, if successful, will be most calami-
tOus, men of intelligence will have no difficulty
in deciding, even though they knew that a large
majority of our countrymen might decide differ
emily. So in determining which of the two is the
worst treason-the war against the Union the
against the COnstitutiOn-men will differ in
the same way. A patriot can side with neither
war, but must resist them both He must do
this, even though he brings upon himself an i'm
putatiOn from the ignorant that he thereby favors
one of these wars. The patriotism oflittle worth
which cannot bde the scathing Of such imputa-
tiOns"
Senators, do not add to this long list of usurp-
atiOns by expelng Senator because he has op-
posed them.
Mr.. President, in the heat and ardor of the mo
ment | may, perhaps, have spoken imprudently
for myself. | know there is a spirit abroad in
the land which assumes to sit in judgment, not
only upon the actions, but upon the motives of
men. | know that as good as true. and as loyal
men breathe the air of heaven, this day rest
under the foul suspicion, the unjust suspicion of
disoyalty, because they dare to utter one word in
defense of what they consider an imperilled Con-
stsutiOn. Every person who edits a ten by twelve
newspaper, the circulation of which has not been
stopped by your Postmaster General, dares TO
question the loyalty and the love of country of
men who have done and would do more for their
country under all circumstances, than the whole
of them combined.
But, sir, although / may have spoken impru-
IDENTIFY, / have spoken honestly; for | am one of
those who believe that the expulsion of the Sen
ator from Indiana, instead of Strengthening the
friends OF the Union, will only weaken them, not
TO any very great extent, but certainly to some
extent. Every oppressive act you do, every un-
just act you do, every unjust suspicion that you
cast upon an honest man, but shows your intol-
erance and weakens your cause. If you would
be successful in this great battle which you are
fighting for the preservation of the Union, be just
and fear not. Let all the ends YOU aim at be your
country's, your Gods, and truths, and you may
possibly succeed, though it may be that years
will pass away before YOU succeed. But if intOl-
erance is to rule the hour: if the motives of men
are to be impugned; if Senators are to be expel-
led; if opprObrium is to be cast upon everybody
who dares to differ in opinion from you or question
the wisdom of your policy, it may be submitted
to for time; but an honest people, meaning to
be free, and to assert their inaenable right to
think they please. and to express their opin-
ions. and to act free men should act, will not
long tolerate such a cour,e of conduct and in
your effort to preserve the Union, you will only
the more surely hasten its destruction.
Senators, pause, l beseech YOU: pause before
you do this deed. You stand upon a volcano
whose fires may in moment bech forth to Law
waste and to destroy. Already they rage in fury
beneath your feet. The mountain smokes; the
earth trembles General, without authority of
law, but in defiance of law, makes forced levies
upon those obnoxious to his censure for the sup
port of whom he pleases Extra and unconsti-
tutonal oaths are exacted by the command of
military deSp0t. The secret order, it is reported
goes forth TO the slave, if necessary for the
destruction of his master. The marauder stalks
abroad to pillage, burn and destroy The Judge
is Imprisoned in his house. and his independence
attempted to be destroyed by illegally withhold
ing his pay. Your peaceful citizens rot in bas-
tiles, and their cries are refused to be heard
In the midst of general lawlessness be We, the
lawmakers of the land, the guardians of the law.
the defenders of an imperiled Constitution. Do
not that which may return to plague you in your
own persons. lest when, in imitation of the ex-
ample which history furnishes, and in imitation of
your own, lawless soldiery. under the guide of
some ambitious usurper, shall drive you from
these Halls, because "the Lord has no further
need of your services" there may be found those
who shall "laugh at your calamity, and mock
when your fear cometh."
What sound is that hear? 1t is a voice at
the other end of the Capitol. and in the halls of
legislation, proclaming that the President should
usurp dictatorial powers, not to preserve but to
destroy the Constitution 1t reverbrates in this
chanher q. Rr heavenly exclairns an exnerionnod