Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-08-18
speech of Mr. Harrington at blooms

under date of the 18th instant as follows: "a
large Democratic meeting was addressed at this
place on Saturday by II. w. HARRINGTON,
trict The meeting was very large and enthu-
siastic. The Democracy of Monroe county en-
ter upon the present canvass with every prospect
Of success. 1 inclose synopsis of Mr.. HAIR
RINGroN's speech for publication in your col
umns, that the people of this district may see
what his position really is"
Mr.. HARRINGTON spoke in substance as fol-
lows:
Fellow Democrats, For the first time / adj
dress an audience in Monroe county / appear
as the standard bearer of the Democracy of the
Third Congressional District. 1t is proper that
l should address you at this time. NY position
has, either ignorantly wilfully, been misrepre-
sented. But we should speak of these things not
from passion or resentment This is no time for
passion. Heretofore there have been local ques-
tions and local politics to discuss. Discussion
of these questions have taken place in times of
peace and men have then let loose their passions.
Now we should Danish all this and have cool dis
cussion.
Three-fourths of century ago three millions
of people inhabited the Atlantic slope. They
grew and prospered. Seven years of toll and
privation resulted in their independence. Then
followed seven darker. years in which they at
tempted to get along without a Constitution.
Grave discussion preceded the adoption of our
present Constitution. The efforts of wise states
men were bent to secure its formation. Some
opposed it. But the people, our sovereigns
adopted it as the organic law of the land. 1t
was the work of years. Men, emancipated from
the yoke of oppression, were cautious after their
long struggle how they proceeded. Our Consti-
tuition was the fruit of those who knew the price
of liberty. 1t was wisely adopted, guaranteeing
liberty and prosperity. 1t was not formed from
the laws and Constitutions of the old world, nor
was it born in the philosophers study. 1t came
from the patriots whom experience had taught
the wants of the people. Under this Constitu-
ton three millions people grew up to be thirty
millions. The old world poured forth her popu-
lation to swell the extent and grandeur of our
country. The cabin of the pioneer sprang up in
every valley. Prosperity cleaned from behind
every cloud. Commerce sprang up if from
the cnchanter's wand. The ocean breeze waited
our vessels over every sea- The stars and stripes
fiuttered in every harbor and ON every coast.
The American tar as he walked the deck over
which streamed the flag of his native land, reared
his head proudly as he looked on the oppression
of foreign lands. Agriculture fourished. The
mechanic arts were successfully pursued. The
old world had become tributary to the workshops
of her little Colony. School houses dotted the
land and prosperity reigned every where. We
were happy people eighteen months ago when
the hoarse tones of rebellion startled us from
peace. Rebellion then reared its cursed front
against the Constitution. The tramp of armed
men and the din of preparation for the deadly
conflict took the place of quiet. Ambitious men
in ten States called forces to arms to battle
against their country. On them rests the re-
sponsibility of these troubles. Though theymay
have been denied rights to which they believed
themselves entitled, or had received injury they
had no right to resort to arms Their remedy
was within the Constitution. There can be no
justification for rebellion come from whatever
cause it may. BY armed force it must be crushed.
What may be its cause is not the question while
it lasts Our liberty depends upon the preserva-
ton of the Constitution. We must meet armed
resistance with arms. This trouble would not
end if ten States were to secede. Before the
news of peace could be borne to the old world
JEFF. Davis would march his armed squadrons up
on the LOYAL Stotes. Every patriot should set
firm face against rebellion and aid to his utmost
in putting it down. If the rebellion should sue
coed and tear off from us our common property,
where would all this end!
The speaker then said he denied the right of
secession, and admitted the right of the Govern
ment to coerce disloyal States, which had been
his position from the fall of Fort Sumter and
was the position of the Convention by which he
was nominated. He then spoke of the adoption
by Congress of the Crittenden resolution in july
1861, which was unanimously adopted, TO define
the policy of Government in the prosecution of
this war-Of the departure of Republicans from
this pledge by their speeches and subsequent
legislation-the duty of the Government to ad-
here to the Constitution now, which was intended
for a time of war as well as peace-the rebels are
violating the Constitution, and we should not
| initiate their folly. He wanted the war prose-
cuted to sustain the old Union, the Union of our
fathers, and not a military despotism. He took
ground against the abolition of slavery in the
District of Columbia, the abolition of slavery in
the border States at the expense of the Northern
people, the prohibition of slavery in the Terrific
ries, and other radical measures of the late ses-
sion of Congress. he said we should pay our
taxes and obey every law on the statutebook I'M
til reversed by competent judicial tribunal
that we should talk of these things TO learn by
experience. If the people of the Northwest
condemned the course of Congress at the Octo-
Der election, no moro would be heard of these
Abolition schemes. If on the contrary, they in
dorsed the men who had supported them by re-
turning them to Congress, they will continue to
pursue their destructive course This was
white mans war; We should first relieve our
selves from own troubles before anticipating
l future difficulties, and should spend no time on
side issues. A conservative course was the only
safe one.
Here he quoted from the last speech of Doug
las, and from Representative Thomas of Massa-
chusetts. He defended the Democracy from the
charge of disloyalty, showing that it had always
been loyal, while those now high in authority had
made factious opposition former wars. Why
should Democrats abandon their party, which
had always been true and loyal, and 90 to one
which had no policy and had proclaimed none
party which is professedly opposed to subjuga-
/ ton, but proposes no means of solving our diff
ficultes. They call the Democracy disloyal
But they cannot, by such cry, make them So
He eulogized the loyalty and sacrifices made by
Democrats in this war They had generously
1 furnished men and voted money for that pur-
pose, and object only to the wild schemes of fa-
natics, and the frauds and corruption of the Off
Gals of the Government. Such a party must
have some good elements in il, although Its enc
mics give it no credit for them. He said the re-
port had been industriously circulated over the
District that he owed his nomination to a secret
political society This charge was false, and
was made for malicious partisan purposes. He
was not, and never had been, q member of any
secret political society," and did not believe in the
existence of one in the State until lately. He
spoke of this, in Justice to the party which he
represented, and whose standard-bearer he was in
this canvass. If elected to Congress. he said
his votes and course should correspond with
what he had said to them to-day.
Mr.. Harrington then closed with an eloquent
appeal to the Democracy TO pay no attention to
the insults nf the opposite party but to do their
duty; to stand by their country in her trying
hour; to be firm and determined in the discharge
of every duty, and they would succeed in bring
ing light out of all this darkness.