Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-02-16
A Slander.

We have received card addressed ITO the
Democracy of Indiana and signed by ALVIN
p HovEY. Brgadier General, and WILLIAM T.
SPrcELY. WILLraM E. MCLEAN, GEO. F. McGIS-
MS and JAMES r. SLACK Colonels, in which
ours the following passage:
We have nothing to expect from the South,
and nothing TO hope. without their conquest.
They are now using their money freely. to sub
sdze the press aud politician Of the North. and
with what effect, the tone OF some of our journals.
and the speeches of some of leaders, too
plainly aud painfully testify.
We know not what motive can influence Indi-
viduals occupying respectable and honorable
position, to thus willfully and maiciously slander
men with whom they profess political sympathy
and identity, and with whom they have associated
on terms of gentlemany intercourse. If high
positions in the army are to be purchased and
held at the sacrifice of all manliness and indie
pendence. and if the recipients accept them upon
the consideration that they will villfy, pervert,
and misrepresent the motives, actions, and prin-
ciples Of their former political and personal assO
ciates-if such is the price of official favors-
dark indeed is the future of the country. The
charge that the money of the Rebels is being freely
used subsidize the press and the politicians OF
the North, has no foundation whatever in truth.
The men who make it are either credulous and
weak enough to believe any Munchausen story.
or else they are bought to give character to gen.
eral ISLANDERS against men. who, unlike themselves,
are honest and selfsacriicing. and uncorrupted
BY position and its emoluments.
Ii is evident that the signers of the card to
which we have referred, do not appreciate public
sentiment at home. While they are making
money by the war, the people of Indiana are be-
ing impoverished, with no prospect before them
but increasing burdens, already grievous to be
borne, and more grinding taxation. Instead of
the press and politicians at the North leading
and influencing public sentiment, they are far,
far behind the people. Ii the Southern Rebels
are using money freely to subsidize Northern
sentiment, it is the people themselves whom their
gold is corrupting. and rich indeed, infinite in
resources, must they be thus to buy vast major
ity Of the people of the North.
We cannot imagine how men. occupying high
positions in the army. can put forth such mis-
erabIe twaddle. with the expectation that anybody
but twaddlers like themselves, would be weak
enough to swallow it. Ii they credit such stuff
it is evidence of their utter incompetency to I'll
the positions they occupy, and if they publish the
charge we have quoted, knowing it to be untrue
they are unworthy of their places.
We quote another extract fiom the circular to
show how willing its sgners are TO be used against
their former political associates. They say:
We see with deep soIicitude and regret, that
there is an under current in Indiana, tending to-
ward a coalition of the Northwest with the South
against the Eastern States.
Where do Mr. HovEY and his associates "see'
this9 From what sources of information do they
get such news? From Republicans only, and
such sentiments are given out by them knowing
that they are untrue and for wicked purposes
If officers in the army, protesting to be Demo
Gratis, can be dupe1 in that way. it speaks bu
little in favor OF their sagaclty, intelligence o.
integrity to principle. The corruptng and de
mOralizing influences of the war are plainly an'
painfully illustrated in the willingness with which
men, who formerly battled against the usurpa
tions of power and every encroachment upoI
constitutional liberty, now yield to those usurpa
tions aud encroachments, aud even apologize 70
then, simply to advance their personal interests
The only hope for the country is in the homes
yeomanry at home whom position cannot inAu
ence or gold corrapt. The sagacity of the Deo
Die in their estimation of public affairs seldom
errs, and their sober second thought upon th
nations troubles IS now being expressed and
ill ha falt xe trust for good