Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-04-07
UNION DEnoCRarrc PLATFoRn VI

WHEREAS, The Democratic party having. from
the date of its organization, been in favor of the
maintenance Of the Union and the preservationo
the Constitution. and seeing in the present condi
ton of the country the deplorable effects Of
departure from its time honored and conservative
principles, and the triumph of sectionalism: and
firmly believing that the Union and the Constitu-
ton can be preserved alone by the restoration of
that party TO power, we invite all true Union men
throughout the land TO unite with in sustaining
its organization and carrying out its principles:
Therefore,
Resolved, l. That we reafirm and endorse the
political principles that from time 10 time have
been put forth by the National Conventions of
the Democratic party.
2. That we are unalterably attached 20 the
Constitution. by which the Union Of these States
was formed and established; and that faithful
observance of its principles alone continue
the existence of the Union, and the permanent
happiness of the people.
3. That the present civil war has mainly re
suited from the long continued, unwise, and IA
natica agitation, in the North, of the question of
domestic slavery, the consequent organization Of
a geographical party guided by the sectional
platforms adopted at Buffalo, Pittsburgh, Phila
delphia, and Chicago, and the development there
by of sectional hate aud JEALOUSY, producing las
had long been foreseen and predicted by us Its
counterpart in the South Of secession, disunon,
and armed resistance TO the General Government
and terminating in bloody strife between those
who should have been forever bound together by
fraternal bonds, thus bringing upon the whole
country calamity which We are now to meet as
loyal citizens, striving for the adoption of that
mode Of settlement best calculated to again re
store union and harmony.
A. That in rejecting all propositions likely to
result in a satisfactory adjustment Of the matters
| in dispute between the North and the South. and
especially those measures which would have Sc
cured the border slave States TO the Union, and a
hearty cooperation their part in all constitu-
tional and legal measures to procure return of
the more Southern States TO their allegiance the
/ Republican party assumed fearful respons-
bity, and acted in total disregard of the best in
terests of the whole country.
>. That if the party in power had shown the
same desire 10 settle, by amicable adjustment,
our internal dissensions before hostilities had
tually commenced. that the Administration has
recently exhibited to avoid a war with our an
cient enemy. Great Britain, confidently be
lieve that peace and harmony would now reign
throughout all our borders.
6. That the maintenance of the Union upon
the principles of the Federal Constitution should
be the controlling object of all who profess 10y
atty to the Government-and in our judgment
| this purpose can only be accomplished, by the
ascendency of Union party in the Southern
States, which shall, bv counter revolution, dis
place those who control and direct the present
bellion. That no effort TO create or sustain such
party can be successful which is not based upon
definite settlement of the questions at issue be-
tween the two sections; and we therefore demand
that some such settlement be made by additional
constitutional guaranty, either initiated by act of
Congress or through the medium of National
| Convention.
Z. That the Republican party has fully demon
| strated its inability TO conduct the Government
through its present difficulties.
| 8. That utterly opposed to the twin
| hereses, Northern sectionalism and Southern
secession. as inimical TO the Constitution; and
that freemen, as they value the boon of civil lib
erty and the peace of the country, should frown
Indignantly upon them.
3. That in this national emergency the Democ-
racy of Indiana, banishing all feeling of passion
and resentment, will recollect only their duty to
! the whole country; that this war should not be
waged in the spirit of conquest or subiugation,
nor for the purpose of overthrowing or interfer-
ing with the rights or institutions of the States.
but to defend and maintain the supremacy of the
Constitution, and to preserve the Union with all
the dignity, equality and rights of the several
States unimpaired; and that these OBJ
jects accomplished the war ought to cease
10. That we will sustain, with all our energies,
a war for the maintenance ofthe Constitution, and
OF the integrity of the Union under the Consfifu-
ton but we are opposed to a war for the emanci
patton of the negroes, the subjugaton of the
| Southern States.
III. That the purposes avowed and advocated
by the Northern disunionists, to liberate and arm
the negro slaves, is unconstitutional insulting 10
loyal citizens, disgrace to the age, is calculated
to rctard the suppression ofthe rebellion and meets
our unqualified condemnation.
| IL. That the total disregard of the writ of ha-
beas corpus by the authorities over us, and the
seizure and Imprisonment of the citizens of loyal
States where the judiciary is in full operation,
without warrant of law and without assigning any
cause giving to the party arrested any opportu-
nifty Ofdefense are fragrant violations OF the Con-
stitution and most alarming acts of usurpation OF
power which should receive the stern rebuke oil
every lover of his country and of every man who
prizes the seclrity and blessings of life, liberty and
| property.
l3. That liberty of speech anu of the press are
guaranteed to the people by the Constitution, and
none but usurper would deprive them of these
rights; they inestimable to the citizen and
formidable to tyrants only. And the attempts
which have been made since our present unfortu-
nate troubles, to muzze the press and stife free
discussion are exercises of despotc power against
which freedom revolts and which can not be tole
rated without converting freemen into slaves.
| Ia That the seizure Of Slidell and Mason on
board a neutral vessel, on the high seas, wa.
either in accordance with international law, and
so legal; or else in violation OF such law, and "a
illegal. Ii the former, we lament that our nation
has been Inundated by their surrender, under q
threat; if the latter, it the duty of the Ad
ministraton at once to have disavowed the act o
their officer and instead of incarcerating the cap
tives in Fort Warren, to have Immediately re
paired the wrong by placing them, as far as prac
ticable, in the same condition in which that off
Ger had found them. In either event. the actor
of the Administration was vacillating land COW
ardly, and degrading to the dignity of great IA
ton.
Is. That the action of the Republican party
as manifested in the partisan character Of all ap-
pointments of the Administration to civil Office
and, in holding party caucuses by the Republican
members of Congress for the purpose ofimpressine
upon the legislative action of that body the peculiar
dogmas of that party have demonstrated that theil
professions OF sacrificing party platforms, and par
ty organizations. upon the altar of their country,
are but so many hypocritical and false pre,ences
by which they hope to dupe the unwary into then
support; and we warn all loyal persons, as they
love their country, not 10 be deceived thereby.
I6 That the disclosures made by the investi
eating committee in Congress Of the enormou,
frauds that have stalked into the armv and nav,
Departments, duplicating the heads Of those de
| =. <s...~t..