Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-01-09


were regarded as honorable by many Of the poll
ticans Of the times. actively engaged IN all the
great political contests Of the last twenty years.
and constantly the ohjeci Of the rlost bitter de
nunciations-yet smidsf the exciiemeut and fury
Of conflicts in which al classes and parties OF
men felt the whitening influence OF attacks upon
their Character not q whisper Of susDicioa
srer uttered against The infegTfy Of Douglas, or
his fidelity 10 the Government or 10 The citizen. He
had thousands Of enemies. bat NOT one 0ocuser.
Douglas was partsan:-But he never wore
his party uniform when his country was in dan
ger" His life fully exemplifes the truth Of this
sentiment Among his early and faithfully cher
shed doctrines there IL one which asserts there is
NOT room enough fhis continent for another Cor
erHmsRf either Republican or M0narchicGt In
his masterly defense of this doctriae. and in all
the exciting contests in which he bore prominent
part during hts eventful public lile-whether those
contests we're in relation TO the Mexican war, the
northeastern boundary, the national rights with
respect % Oregon, or 10 any other great contest
involving the national interesfs-bis efforts were
invariably stimulated and controlled by an ardent
and elevated love Of country. The last great ct
for, OF his life was in accordance With his whole
previous history. His patriotism taught him to
stand by the flag Of the Union, in prosperity in
adversely. His love OF country paramount
to all party platforms.
How many 81 csr public men. in the great
struggle OF this day, when the existence OF the
Government l. deeply imperiled aud its mighty
heart throbs for vitality. silent and iDdifier-
emit How many, in these times which try
mems SOULS act as il the in which the
country is engaged, were matter of secondary
consideration! They seem TO take more interest
in the political complexion OF Legislature, or q
party convention, or in the advancement of SCI.
fish and personal views, than they do IN the re
verses and triumphs of armies IN the field.
To oil such citizens, ] commend the eloquent
language of Douglas. addressed to both parties Of
his State "A few DAYS before his death He said:
"ln my opinion it is your duty 70 lay aside your
party creeds and party platforms, your party or
CARNATIONS and partisan appeals-to forget that
YOU are divided until YOU have rescued the Gov
eminent and the country from their assaants.
Give me country first. that nv children NAV
live in peace; then we will have theater for our
party organizations to operate upon.
Do those who wish to make political capital out
of the war. remember the words which he adj
dressed TO them? lie said: ALLOW me 20 say 70
you. YOU will not he true 10 your country, it you
ever attempt 10 manufacture partisan capital out
of the mseries of your country. When calling
upOE Democrats to rally TO the tented fields.
leaving wife child father and mother behind
them, 10 the rescue of the President that YOU
elected, do not make war upon them, and try to
manufacture partisan capital ont OF struggle in
which they are engaged from the hottest and pu-
rest OF motives
To those who were perpiexed with doubts in
reference 10 the best means OF putting down the
rebellion. he addressed these words: "Whenever
our Gov ernne..t il assailed, when hostile armies
are marching under rude and odiOus banners
against the Government OF Our country, the short
est way 20 peace l. the most stupendous and
unanimous preparation for The greater
unanimity. the less blood will be shed. The
more prompt and energetic the movement, and
the more important II Is in numbers, the shorter
will be tie struggle
Tc tIose who would interfere with the domcs-
tic policy of the South, he said Il will never
acqGesce in any warfare upon the Constitutions
rights institutions of the South. 1t any at
tempt j. made 10 invade their rights, or incite
serve Instructions among them, would be the
first to rush to the rescue.
To those who were inclined to recognize the
validity of the principles on which the rebellion
is founded, he addressed these emphatic and warn
irg words: Recognize it once. and YOU have
not only dissolved Government. bat You have de
stroyed socie order, and upturned the foundations
of society"
In relation TO the origin of the war, among
other things, he said: THE present secession
movement is the result of an enormous conspiracy
formed by leaders in the Southern Coniederacy
more than twelve months ago
To those American citizens who are Indifferent
as TO the results of the war, or who are in doubt
as to their duty with respect TO it, he says
"Ther. are only two sides 70 the question. Every
man must be for the United States or against il
There can be no neutrals in this war-only Pat.
riots or Traitors y
Are there any economical financiers, who wish
to know what he said about the cost of the war
or about the means of defraying the expenses Of
suppressing the rebellion! He said nothing
He had no words 10 waste on these subjects
He discussing far more important questions
the indispensable obligation to suspend parti
san confiicts-the magnitude of the interests in
volved in the war-and the duty which the crisis
demands af all true patriots. He knew that the
deliverance of the country from the hands o
traitors, and the restoration of peace, woulA be
worth more than the pecuniary cost, and more
than all the laws which government can pass un
der existing circum, tances. We can make and
unmake. change and modify, all our usages, Gus
toms, and laws, and even our organic law Bu
God has given us, and our children, but one
country.
On all questions affecting the honor and safct,
of the country. and the maintenance of the Con
slitution and laws. he was, unlike many of tn,
politicians of the day, always prompt in the ex
preston OF opinion, and in action. When dui,
required him to act, or to speak, he tarried not
waited not evaded not. For example
AT his own home, a law in pursuance of the
Constituton--the fugitive slave law--was de
nounced, not carried out-the officials rcfusin,
10 obey it. He took issue, made the effort. tn,
law obcyed, and official records wer,
changed.
When the news reached him. from Charleston
OF the nduct of the men protesting be Dem
ocrats. his prompt remark was" This means
secession -
A.sin-How true were his words. when in th,
presidential contest of 1850, in speaking of on,
OF the candidates. he said" He may not be
Disuhionist: but every Disunionist in the countr,
will vote for him.
Again:--On the 4th of March, after the in
auguration. standing. amidst enemies, close b.
the side OF the President. he said TO him" Com
what may IN the dark and cloudy future, he wOul,
stand by the Government, and strengthen its arn
to crush traitors aud rebellion.
The ,lay alter tue proclamation was issued
calling for volunteers. he received telegraph
despatch from the only State whose electora
vote was east Tor him. seeking Ia know Whist hi
course would be. and he Immediately replied
" stand by the government, to put down the re
he!lon"
fex days after this event, he returned 10 hi
home; and. in public addresses, and in privat
conversations among the people. he spoke OF th
inestnl,ble value of the country. aud is institu
tons. aud urged all classes and parties of his Eel
low citizens To stand by the Union, under all cir
cum>tsnecS. and m every emergency; and to ali
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