Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-04-07

Secessionsm Is not the only danger that me-
naces the Government. II is probable that
armed rebellion will soon be overcome. Then
comes the more difficult task Of reconstructing
the Union. This duty win require the most sa-
determine in what way the Southern people can
be induced to resume The exercise of self govern
ment under the Constitution of the United States
The Abolitionists are unwilling that there shall
be full recognition of the rights Of the slave
holding States. We can not expect the people
OF those States will return to full and hearty
allegiance unless the people of the Northern
States satisfy them that they will respect and
defend their rights under the Constitution as
faithfully as they will their own. 1t is here
that aboltionsm stands in direct antagonism
to the reconstruction of the Union. There is
tionsm conformity with secessionism is subdued.
In this connection we call especial attention to
the following article from the Louisville Journal,
which contains suggestions and reflections emf
nently worthy of consideration at the present
time by all who desire the perpetuty of toe Con-
It's continually becoming more and more man.
ifest that the friends of the Uuon in the United
States have hand two great and important
conflicts, and that success in both is absolute
ly necessary to the accomplishment of the mighty
purpose which they have at heart Both of
these conflicts are tor the preservation of the
Constitut0Il-one to preserve it against the
wicked and atrocious Southern rebellion, and
the other to preserve it from the IN ,lignant
and deadly assaults of Northern fanatics in
and out OF Congress. The confiIct with the
Southern rebels, thanks to the courage and
strength of our victorious armies, is making glo-
rious progress. and promises soon to be brought
to triumphant close, but even this result will
not secure the happiness and prosperity of the
nation, IT, in the other conflict. that with the IA
natics of the North, the champions of the Con
stitutiOn shall fail to he victorious. In that case
we shall at best have mere nominal Union. a
hollow mockery OF Union, the body of Union
without the soul, a Union that after little time
must in the very nature of things evaporate in the
surrounding atmosphere. 1t is impossible to say
what kind OF Union the irresistible power of arms
might establish, and for brief period maintain,
but any suppostion that the thrty-four States
which constitute or have constituted this Repub
lie can be bound permanently together a Re-
public upon the principles and on the conditions
insisted on by such politicians as the Senators in
Congress from Massachusetts, is an absurdIty
that only fools and fanatics could possibly cher
ish
If every Southern rebel were disarmed to- NOR
row, the reconstruction of the Union would be a
most delicate and difficult undertaking. Difieren-
ces of views even among conservative men would
be enough to render it so. And probably, at this
very moment. even greater danger menaces the
restoration policy from the action of the radicals
than from the armed legous of rebellion. Radi-
casm, innovation, subversiOn, abolition, is per
haDs the worst of our mortal terils. 1t is, as the
Baltimore American says, the dry rot which,
unless prevented, will cripple or sink the great
ship of State which has been triumphant when
met only by open assaults. In this relation. the
rulers at w ashingtOn must certainly see that al
though they may do without the Abotionsts,
they cannot do without that great Union party Of
the land which is unalterably opposed to all ul-
traSm. A few months since. and the questions in
volved seemed for the time to be mere distractions
or little better, because no advance of any mo
ment had been made upon territory such now
demands for its right government a decided and
conservative policy. But now the Government
Is made 10y the force of imperative circumstances
10 stand face to face with the difficulties of the
hour; and it and the nation must Enthusiastically
condemn all extreme radicalsm, all mistaken
philanthropy, wherever wild theories conflict with
the provisions of that instrument, every day anew
demonstrated to be the very ark of our safety, if
We are To be saved at all. Already the arms of
the nation may fail to protect the nation vixen the
Constitution, the instrument which, should keep
all in sub 'ecton may be broken with impunty
Let the reverence of the people for that great
charter of rights and liberties be once lost, and
neither armies nor proclamations will avail as a
substitute in the preservation of the Union and
| of their rights