Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-03-02
From NvasninrInn.

sELS-GENERAL VIEW or THE MILITARY SITU-
ATIoN-lMPoRTANcE OF THE AcTioN OF THE
Democratic STATE CONVENTION OF CoSSEcTI-
CUT, &C, &C, &C.
Especial Correspondence of the Chicago Times.l
WASHINGTON, February 30.
A remarkable article in the Journal OF Com
merce, of New York, day or two ago, is at
tracing much attention here. 1t is well known
that the paper in question: although it is cordially
detested by the Administration, is the organ and
exponent of very large and very influential
class of citizens both in New York and in the
adjoining \ ew England States. 1t Is in a word,
the organ of the conservative classes everywhere
at the East OF men who have always been con.
servatives. Those among these men who were
statesmen or constitutional lawyers opposed the
war before Il began, because they ioresaw that
war was no way to preserve the Union. Some
Of them supported the war after it had begun
because they believed that the Administration
honestly meant it to be for the restoration
of the Union. But, now that the wicked and un-
scrupuOus designs of the Administration have
become so evident that even an intelligent
child can no longer be deceived-now that it is
evident that it is a war simply to abolish sav-
cry and to prevent the restoration of the Union
now a universal cry comes up from this lar.-
class of citizens for the termination of the war.
The article states, and with truth. that this de-
to them; but that in every newspaper that is now
opened no matter in what part of the county it
is printed, there is expressed by the people every
where universal desire for peace. There are
peace meetings. peace resolutions, peace speeches
everywhere. 1t is the voice of the people
There must be peace. The prospects of peace
the terms on which peace can be obtained, the
conditions of peace. the blessings that will result
from peace, the topics of universal discussion
1t is known here that these are facts which can
not be controversial.
But the Administration and this vile Congress
have determined to stide this desire for peace.
They have determined that the war shall go on.
And 60 on it Will, if the people submit to the
tyrannical and unconstitutional acts that arenOw
being rushed through Congress- 1t is the design
OF the present Congress to make the President
entirely independent Of their successors-to
ciOthe him with such absolute powers that he can
carry on the war to the end of his term, not only
without calling on the people to help him. but in
defiance of their will. They know that their
power will cease on the 4th of March; but, with
diabOlical cunning, they have determined to set
in motion machinery for the oppression and abuse
of the people, which shall continue operate for
two years after they have left the seats which
they disgrace
This malignant purpose will have been effected
when the conscription bill, the finance scheme of
Mr. Chase, and the bill to abolish the habeas cor
pus shall have become laws. And. to all appear
ance, that day is fast approaching.
The Administration is sorely puzzled what to do
with Gen. Butler. The idea of making him Sec
rotary of War has been abandoned. Stanton has
got so firm a hold on the President that the latter
dare not dismiss him. While Butler was here
last week. he became convinced that the Admin
istratiOn was playing with him. and he so con-
trived matters as to become certain of it. The
President had already frankly assured him that
he did not know why he had been removed, and
that he wished he was back again in New Or
leans. Butler put this down i'm his note book,
and went over to Hallecks Office The latter
official was proiuse in compliments, and said he
never could understand why Butler had been re-
moved from New Orleans. Everything was go
ing on so well there that, upon his soul he wished
Butler was back again. He had understood that
it was on account Of some reason that originated
with the State Department some trouble with
foreign powers, that Butler had been removed.
Butler said nothing, but quietly put this down
also in his notebook, and then went up town to
dine with Seward.
After dinner Seward told him that he was
never so surprised at anything in his life as when
he heard that'the President had removed him
from New Orleans When lie had inquired,
something had been limited to him about Halleck
was ever said. The statements made by the
newspapers, that his removal had any relation to
reasons of state, or to foreign complications were
entirely unfOunded and grOundleSs. Butler, at
this, slowly pulled out his note book, entered in
it this third statement, and then read them all to
Seward The last one, he said, he believed
What he said about Haleck and "Old Abe" as
he irreverently STYLED His Majesty Ab.aham the
First, shall not repeat. But it is quite evident
that of the three statements made to him, not
more than two were true.
The Democratic members of the present Con-
gress ought never to be forgotten. They have
deserved the eternal gratitude of their country
men by the noble and fearless stand which they
maintained in defense of the Constitution, and
against the encroachments of arbitrary power
On many occasions they have been derived of
the floor and of an opportunity to speak; or they
have been cut short in the midst of their remarks
But they have said and done enough to endear
them to their constituents, and to immortalize
their names as the only defenders of American
constitutional liberty in the Congress of 1862.
Against all the usurpations of the President
against all the insidious encroachments OF Ex-
ecutire power on the rights of the citizen
against all attempts to shield the guilty members
OF this Administration from the punishment due
to their crimes-against all the illegal aud uncOn
stitutional acts of Congress- they have loudly and
eloquenty protested 1.-THE liberties of the Amer
ican people go down in bloody revolution, the
names of these noble patriots will be craven on
the pillars that will be erected when their liber
ties regained.
The conservative members Of Congress are
anxious that the idea of the meeting of all the
/ Democratic members of the next Congress in
New York, on the 9Th OF next month"; shall not
be abandoned. Much good will no doubt result
from this meeting, and il is earnestly hoped that
it will take place. At this critical juncture,
when the people are so profoundly moved at the
contemplation of the terrible dangers which
threaten them. and when the want of leader is
so deeply felt, the nation will no doubt look TO
the action of this meeting as a guide to their own
conduct. The Democratic members of the pres
ent and OF the next Congress are perfectly ac-
/ quainted with the views and wishes of the peo-
pie. Whatever exposition of these views they
make will be regarded the voice of the peo-
pie; and, when THE PEOPLE give expression to their
will, their servants here must hear and obey that
will.
As close this letter, the air is full of rumors
of changes in the Cabinet. of the removal of Hal
leck-Of a return on the part of the Administra-
ton to a conservative course of action--of the
withdrawal of the emancipation proclamation
of the reappointment of Gen. Mcclellan to the
supreme command OF the armies, &c. Believe
none of those stories / would | could believe
such things were possible. But have seen too
much Of the hollow duplicity Of the Administra
ton not to know where they originate. aud the
object in putting them forth The object is, to
throw conservative men off their guard. to in
duce them to give their support to the rldical
measures that being rushed through
Congress. Believe, rather, that Mr.. Lincoln is
poweress in the hands Of the faction that have
wound their tolls around him. He must work
their will Believe. rather that we are entering
upon course OF radical policy of which we have
as yet had only a foretaste. Believe. rather,
th N.f.s nil in al "A