Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-08-31
Trial OF Abraham Lincoln by the
} Great Statesmen OF the Republic.

character and extent of the departure of the
present Administration from the word and spirit
of the fathers of the Constitution that has yet
been put in print. We give a liberal extract:
The following is verbatim report of the pro
ceedings:
violating the Constitutions; but if have done so,
it has been from the sole and earnest desire to
restore the Union
STEPHEN A. DoUsLAs-I don't understand how
a man can claim to be friend of the Union, ana
vet be in favor of war upon ten millions of people
III the Union. You can not cover il up much
longer under the pretext of love for the Union.
War is disunion. certain, inevitable, final and
irrepresslbie. a.
ABRAHAM LINCoLN-It was this desire to pre-
serve the integrity of the republic that rendered
10 matter of absolute necessity to put stop 10
the assaults that were being made upon the Gov.
ernment by certain parties whom l regarded as
friendly to the rebels
DANIEL W WEBsTER-Free speech is home bred
right. "a freside privilege. 1t has ever been en-
joyed in every house. cottage and cabin in the
nation 1t is not to be drawn into controversy
IL is undoubted the right of breathing the
air and walking on the earth. 1t is a right to be
maintained in peace and war. 1t is a right which
can not be invaded without destroying constitu-
:ional liberty. (2)
ABRAHAM LINcoLN-The great cause of all our
trouble is slavery and we can never expect to
have peace until that institution is abolished
HENRY Clay Abolitionisml With abolitionists
the rights of property are nothing; the de6cien-
cy OF The powers of the General Governments is no
thing the acknowledged and incontestibe pow
ers of the States nothing; the dissolution of
the Union and the overthrow of a Government
in which are concentrated the hopes of the civil
lied world aie nothing; a single idea has taken
possession of their minds. and onward they pur-
sue it, overlooking all barriers. reckless and re-
gardless OF all consequences. (3)
ABRAHAM IhNcoLN-If every man were al
Lowell TO express his opinions. the prosecution of
the war for the Union would be impossible The
Government is obliged to have recourse TO such
measures il it would preserve its own existence
JoHN HANcoCK-lt is to the last degree vicious
and infamous TO support n government which
manifestly tends 10 render the persons and prop
erty of the government insecure. Some boast
of being friends TO the government; | am ii
friend TO righteous government. government
founded upon the principles of reason and just
ice; but glory in avowIng my eternal enmity to
tyranny. (4)
ABRAHAM LIScoN-l found it necessary to sus-
pend the operation of portions Of the constitution
the better TO enable me to carry on the war with
out embarrassment. ! thought that the people
would be willing 10 renqush some of their con-
sttu,ional rights for "A time if their liberties could
be preserved in the future.
PATRICK HENRY-Is the REIMBURSEMENT of the
trial by jury and the liberty of the press necessa-
~ for your libertvl Will the abandonment of
the most sacred rights tend to the security OF
your lbertyf Libertyl the greatest of all earth
ly blessingsl give that precious Jewel and YOU
may take everything else. The first thing have
at heart is American liberty: the second thing is
American Union. (5)
ABRAHAM LISCoLS-I endeavored to get along
in he nf no w Or no hpt
finding that the constitution interfered with it,
was obliged, as "A military necessity. to suspend
its action
GouvERSEuR MoRRIs-I love the constitution.
and love il because consider it as the bond of
our Union; because in my soul believe that on
it depends our hsrmony and our peace; that with
out it, we should soon be plunged in all the hor
rors Of civil war; that this country would be del
uged with the blood of its inhabitants, and
brothers hand raised against the bosom of bro
ther. (6)
ABRAHAM LINcoLN-Wha; was to do in the
midst of IA civil war? | found my hands tied by
the checks of the constitution, and was forced
to disregard them. could not rely altogether
upon the people
ALEXANDER HAMLroS-The confidence of the
people will easily be gained by a good admins
tration. This is the true tcuchstone %
ABRAHAM LINcoLN-I must insist in my own
defense. that without force the Union cannot be
preserved. And every law such as the conscrip-
ton act ahd the emancipation measure must be
enforced
JAMES MADIsoN-The more reflect on the use
of force the more doubt the practicabity. the
Justice the efficacy of il when applied to people
collectively and not individually. A union of
the States containing such an ingredient seems TO
provide for its own destruction. 49,
ABRAHAM LlSCOLN--Wilhout force it is i'm
D lsSible To preserve the Government The
military. when necessary, must sustain the civil
power
Cor. MAsoS-The most jarring elements, FIRE
and water. are no more incompatible that such
strange mixture of civil liberty and military exc
cuton Will the military march from one State
to another for the purpose of coercion? II they
do will not the citizens OF invaded States assist
one another until they rise as one man, shake off
what they will denounce the hated Union al
together. Ii you subjugate them. how you
to hold them under COnsi ution that is to be
imposed to insure domestic tranquility and pro-
mote The general wefarer 90
ABRAHAM LIScOLN-Am |, then, to be in
vessed with no power for the suppression of re-
bellon?
ELBRIDGE GIRRY-I am against letting loose
the myrmidons of the United States on State
without its own consent (l0)
EDWARD EvERErT.-The suggestion that the
Union cal be maintained by the numerical pre-
dominance and military prowess of one section,
excited 70 cOerce The other into submission, is, in
my Judgment selfcontradictory as it is dan
gerOus. 1t comes loaded with the death smell
from fields wet with brothers blood III the vital
principle OF al republican government il the con
sent OF The governed much more does Union
of coequal sovereign States require as its basis
the harmony Of its members, and their voluntary
co-cperatioD in its organic functions I'D
ABRAHAM EIScoLN-There can be 70 Union
unless the State governments sustain the General
Government to the fullest extent in putting down
disOhedent and refractory States.
ELBRIDGE GERRY--Let us. then, at once de-
stray the State governments, have Executive
for lire, hereditary and then there will be some
consistency in giving full powers TO the General
Government but, as the States must not be
abolished. wonder al the attempts thatare made
to give powers that are inconsistent with their
existence. ! warn you against pushing the ex-
pertinent too far. az
ABRAHAM LlScoLN--In my endeayors to sus-
tain the Constitution, it is possible that have
transcribed the powers with which that instru-
ment has invested me; but | have done so to
maintain both the Union and the Constitution
ANDREW JACKsoS--But the Constitution can
not be maintained nor the Union preserved, in
opposition to the public feeling. by the mere ex-
ertion Of the coercirc powers con6ded to the
General Government; the foundations must be
laid in the affections of the peope in the security
1t gives TO life. liberty. character and property in
every quarter of the country aud in the fraternaI
attachment which the citizens of the several
States bear 10 one another rs members of one
political family mutually contributing to promote
the happiness Of each other. (I3)
ABRAHAM LrNcoLs-lf the Union be the only
bond by which the sovereignty OF ,he States is to
be preserved. then the States themselves must
abandon temporarily a portion oil their power
,nre fnn Il .ranted .yell In the 1.ll.siifnfior, 10