Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-09-29

of each State to order and control its own domes-
tic institutions according to its own judgment ex-
clusively. is essential to the balance of power on
which the perfection and endurance of our politi-
cal fabric depend"
Such were the representations made to the
country as to the principles and policy which
should control the administration of the Govern
ment under the Republican party.
After the fall of Sumter the President issued
a proclamation calling out rs, 900 volunteers to
put down the Instruction. In it he stated that
the troops should be used re establish the Fed
eral authority and repossess the Federal property
IN the insurrectionary districts. Under that proc
lamaton and for the objects it avowed the frst
call of the President for volunteers was promptly
filled by members of all political parties When
our Generals went into the field they issued proc
lamations declaring that private property should
be respected. and that there was no intention of
interfering with the domestic institutions of the
people or to excite instructions among the
slaves. On the other hand some of them stated
that they would aid in suppressing them with an
iron hand. On several occasions commanding
officers were censured or removed from their
positions for issuing emancipation proclamations.
We well recollect when in announcing the fall
of Sumter, we stated the contest inaugurated was
a abolition war-tLe Inauguration of the ''irre-
pressibe conflict indignation of the lead
ing Republicans of this city knew no bounds
They declared that no such purpose was intended,
but that the sole object of the war was for the
restoration of the national authority
Congress assembled in extra session on the 4th
of July, 1861. On the 2lst of that month the
disaster at Bull Run occurred On the 22d day
of the same month, July, 1861, three months af-
ter the commencement of hostilties, the follow
ing resolution, offered by Mr.. CRIrTENDEN, was
passed almost unanimously by both Houses of
Congress. to wit:
That the present deplorable civil war has been
forced upon the country by the disunonists of
the Southern States, now in arms against the
constitutional Government and in arms around
the capital; that in this national emergency,
Congress, banishing all feeling of mere passion,
and resentment, will recollect only its duty to
the whole country; that this war is not waged on
their part in any spirit of oppression for any
purpose OF conquest or su6jugation, or purpose of
overthrow:ng or interfering with the rights or es-
tablished institutions of those States but to de-
fend and maintain the supremacy OF the Consti-
tuition. and to preserve the Union with all the dig
nifty, equality and rights of the several States un-
impaired; and that as soon as these objects ere
accomplished the war ought to cease.
Again mark the words ''This war is not
waged on their part (the Federal Government in
any spirit of oppression, or for anv purpose of
conquest or subiugaton, or purpose of overthrow
ing or interfering with the rights or established
institutions of those (Southern) States" 1t will
be recOected that on the 18th day of June last,
the so-called Union State Convention which met
in this city, reaffirmed the sentiments expressed
in the resolution of Mr.. CRlrrENDEN and made it
the basis of its platform. Will they regard it so
now? Under the solemn declarations as to the
purposes of the Government in the prosecution
of the war, men Of all political opinions and es-
pecaly those who were opposed to the party doc
trines and policy of the party represented by the
National Administration, cheerfully and prompt
y responded to the calls of the President for
troops and money to suppress the rebellion and
restore the supremacy of the Constitution.
Now in the face of these solemn declarations,
in violation of good faith, in total disregard of
the pledges made to the country, the President
issues his emancipation proclamation. 1t is, how
ever, only paper proclamation, and can have no
effect only as the forces of the United States &C.
cupy the insurrectionary or rebelllOus districts.
The experiment of emanc;patng by proclama-
has cd hpfO in apJ
without satisfactory results. In BoTTA's history
of the war of independence of the United States,
vol /, D. $50, will be found the following in ref
erence therefor
Lord Dunmore proclaimed martial law: the eff
feet of which would have been to suspend all
civil authority in the province. He exhorted the
lOyaists to repair to the royal standard to retain
in their hands the contributions due to the crown,
as well other taxes until the re establishment
of peace Moreover he declared free all slaves
or servants, black or white, provided they should
take and join the royal standard. This
proclamation, and especially the clause concern
ing slaves, proved that Lord Dunmore was man
extremely deficient in prudence and moderation,
but produced none of the effects he had ex-
Iected.
IN the colonies, and even in all other cOun-
| tries, universal cry arose against a measure
which tended to disturb society in its very found
atoms, to destroy domestic security to engender
mortal suspicious, and to excite a race naturally
terOciOus, to vengeance and murder. In fact,
this step of the Governor was not merely use
less-it was perncious; it irritated the minds of
the greater number and gained over none.
The historian adds that. of the few who were
enlisted by Lord Dunmore, and were pressed into
a fight at Norfolk, "they behaved very shabbily,
and saved themselves by fight"
There can be but little doubt that the procla-
nation of Mr. LINCOLN will have similar effect
and will be followed by similar results. We can
see no object to be gained by it, unless it be to
satisfy, or we may better say to crafty, to
the language of the resolution passed by the
House of Representatives the llth day of Feb
ruary 1861, chose persons in the North too in
significant in numbers and influence to excite the
serious attention or alarm of any portion of the
people of the Republic" 1t cannot be that the
President thinks it of more consequence to con-
cate this insignificant class in the North than
the conservative citizens. significant in numbers
and influence. and who have sustained his Ad-
ministrauon, not only by moral influences, but
with men and money whenever he asked for
them
What possible good can come from the procla-
nation? We confess can see none. On the
other hand, its effect must be to increase the en-
barrassments of the Federal Government. 1t
can have no more influence in freeing the slaves
in the districts where the national authority does
not extend. than did the blast of King JAMES
against tobacco in stopping the use of the weed.
1t will not add one volunteer to the army of the