Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-09-22

which they have heretofore denounced as unjust
and unconstitutional. For this reason they can
not save our country.
As our national calamities thicken upon us an
attempt is made by their authors to avoid their
responsibilities by insisting that our failures are
due to the fsct that their measures not carried
out, although Government has already gone far
beyond its pledges. The demands of these men
will never cease, simply because they hope to
save themselves from condemnation by having
dissatisfied demands. At the last session Con-
gress not only abolished slavery in the District of
Columbia, but, to quiet camorous men, an act of
conhscation and emancipation was passed, which,
in the opinion of leading Republicans. was un-
constitutional and unjust. By this act the rebels
have no pr0perty-nOt even their own lives-and
they own no slaves. But to the astonishment
and disgust of those who believe in the policy of
statutes and prOclamations, these rebels still live
and fight aud hold their slaves. These measures
seem to have terminated them. They have
careless and reckless way of appropriating their
lives and property, which by act of Congress be-
long to us, in support OF their cause.
But these fanaIica men have learned that il is
necessary to win victory before they divide the
spOils-and what do they now propose? As they
can not take the property of rebels beyond Their
reach they vii! take the property of the loy al men
of the border States The violent men of this
! parts, as you know from experience, INV conser-
l
way They now demand that the President shall
issue a proclamation of immeliite and universal
emancipation Against whom is this to be di-
rectedl Not against those in rebellion, for they
come within the scope of the at OF Congress Il
can only be applied to those who have been true to
our Union and our flag They are to be punished
for their loyalty. When we consider their suffer-
/ ings aud their cruel wrongs at the hands of the
Secesscnists, their reliance upon faith, is not
4 This nasal biaek III mora fifuda9
| The scheme for an immediate emancipation
and general arming OF the slaves throughout
the South, is a proposal for the butchery of wO-
men and children, for scenes of lust and rapine;
of arson and murder unparalleled in the history
of the world. The horrors Of the French revOlu-
ton would become tame in comparison. Its eff
tects would not be confined to the walls Of cities
but there would be wide spread scene of horror
over the vast expanse OF great States, involving
alike the the loyal and seiitious Such malig-
nifty and cOwariice would invoke the interference
OF civilized Europe History tells of the fires
kindled in the name Of religion, of atrocities COM
mite1 under pretexts of order or liberty; but it is
now urged that scenes bloodier than the world has
yet seen shall be enacted in the name of philan-
thropy
A proclamation of general and armed emanci-
patton at this time, would be cruel wrong to the
African. 1t is now officially declared in the
Presidential addresses, which are fortified by
Congressional action. that the negro can not live
in the enjoyment of the full privileges of life
among the white race. Ii Is now admitted, after
our infinite loss of blood and treasure, that the
great problem we have to settle is not the slavery
but the negro question. A terrible question. not
sprlngng from statutes or usages, but growing
out of the unchangeIble distinction of race IL
is discovered at this late day, in Republican Hi
nOis, that il is right drive him from its soil 1t
is discovered by "a Republican Congress, after
cOnvulsing our country with declarations in favor
OF his equal rights, and asserting that he was
merely the victim of unjust laws. that he should
be sent away from our land The issue is now
changed. The South holds that the African is
fit to live here as slave. Our Republican
Government denies that he is tit to live here
ut all
The Republican party can not save the country,
because through the powerful press il teaches con-
tempt for the laws, Constitution and constituted
authorities They are not only destroying the
Union, but they are shaking and weakening the
whole structures of State as well as of the Ma
tional Government, by denuncatons of every
law and of all authority that stand in the way OF
their passions or their purposes They have not only
carried discord into our churches and legislative
halls, but into our armies. Every General who
agrees with them upon the subject OF slavery is
upheld IN every act of nsubordination and sus-
tanned against the cearest proofs of incompe-
tence, ii not of corruption. On the other hand,
every commander who differs from their views
upon the single point of slavery, is denounced,
not only for inc0mpetency, but constantly depre
ciated in every act. No man is allowed to be
Christian; no man is regarded as a statesman; no
man is suffered uumOlested TO do his duty as n
soldier. unless he supports measures which no one
dared to urge eighteen months since. They in
sst that martial law i superior to constitutional
law, that the wills of Generals in the field are
above all restraints; but thes demand for them
selves the right to direct and control these Gen
erals. They claim An influence higher than that
they will allow TO the laws of the land Are
these displays of INSTRUMENTATION aud violence
safe at this tmei
The weight of annual taxation will test severe
ly The loyalty of the people of the North. Repu-
diation of our financial obligations would cause
disorder and endless moral evils. Pecuniary
rights will never be held more sacred than per
sonal rights Reputation of the Constitution in
wolves reputation of National debts of its guar
antics of rights of property. of person, and of
conscience. The moment we show the world
that we do not hold the Constitution TO be a sa-
cred compact, we not only destroy all sense of
security, but we turn away from our shores the
vast tide of foreign immigration. 1t comes here
now not because there are not other skies as
/ bright and other lands productive ours. 1t
seeks here security for tTeedOm-tor rights OF
conscience-ior immunity from tyranical inter-
! ferences, and from meddling impertneuee The
home and freside rights heretofore enjoyed by
the American people-eIjOyed under protection
of written Constitution, have made us great
and prosperous. | entreat you again. touch them
not with sacreligious hands, We are threatened
with the breaking up OF our social system, with
the overthrow of State and National Govern
ments. Ii we begin war upon the compro misses
| of the Constitution we must 60 through with il.
Ii contains many restraints upon our natural
rights.
1t may be asked by what right do the six small
New England States, with population less than
that OF New York, have six times its power in
the Senate, which has become the controlling
branch of Government By what natural right
do these States with their small united popula-
tions and limited territories balance the power of
New York PENNSYLVANIA, Ohio. Illinois, Indiana
and Michganl The vast debt growing out of
this war will give rise to new and angry discus
si0ns Ii will be held almost exclusively m n
few Atlantic States. Look upon the map of the
Union and see how small is the territory in which
it will be owned. We are to be divided into
creditor and debtor States, and the last will have
"A vast preponderance of power and strength. I'm
fortunately there is no taxation upon this nation
al debt and its share is thrown off upon other
property. Ii Is held where many of the Govern
ment contracts have been executed, and where in
some instances gross frauds have been practised.
IL is held largely where the Constitution gives a
disproportional share of political power. With
all these elements Of discord is il wise to assail
constitutional law, or bring authority into con-
Tempt Is il safe 10 encourage the formation OF
irresponsible committees, made up of impertinent
men, who thrust themselves into the conduct OF
public affairs and try to dictate 10 legal rulersi
Or will you tolerate the enrolment Of armies
which are not constituted or organized by proper
authorities? Are such things just towards those
who have placed their fortunes in the hands OF