Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-12-21

Westated some days before the appearance of
Mr. LrScoLS's message, that he had il in his
power to strike crushing blow at the rebellion
by offering DarlOn to all in rebellion against the
Government, upon the single condition OF their
returning TO their allegiance to the Constitution
and the Union. It would not only have been
policy to have offered such terms of Cancellation,
but the President has no constitutional right to
impose any other test of loyalty. And we can
judge somewhat Of the probable effect that such
terms Of peace and reconciliation would have bad
by the tone of public sentiment in the South as
we receive il, not only from our own, but from
rebel sources of information. Ii is stated that a
decided Union feeling is being developed in
North Carolina, and in the recent election in
that State the candidates for Representatives
to the rebel Congress who most positively
denounced the war, and favored peace, were
elected by the most decided majorities
Ind all through the South, if we may Judge Of
public sentiment by the tone of the rebel press,
there is a general dissatisfaction with both the
war and financial policy of the JEFF. DAVIS gov
eminent. There is not a paper received from the
South but contains severe structures in those
regards. The debates in the rebel Congress, now
in session. also indicate that there is decided dis
satisfaction among the Southern people with the
administration of the rebel government
With such a state of facts staring us in the
face, would it not be wise, ssgacious, statesman
like to take advantage of them and increase the
dissatisfaction OF the Southern people, and thus
develop most potent influence to aid in the
overthrow of the rebellion and the restoration of
the Unionf But instead of tanning these embers
of discord and division, Mr.. LINCOLN proposes
terms of reconstruction, although artfully de-
vised, which can have no other effect but to
strengthen and give new life to the
rebel cause Mr.. LlNcoLN's last proclamation,
with the accompanying message, in effect says
that the negro is Of higher consideration than
union. To secure the emancipation of the negro
Mr.. LINCOLN proposes to obliterate State govern
ments and only consent to their reconstruction or
return to the Union upon the condition that the
citizens of the rebel States shall take an oath of
allegiance to the party in power, including all
the measures of the Administration party and all
the Presidents proclamations in reference to
slaves. snot such policy calculated to destroy
all Union sentiment in the South? Can the
conservatives of North Carolina, any other
rebel State, GO before the people. in the face of
the last proclamation of Mr.. LINCOLN. and tell
them that it is their duty to return to their allie
glance to the ''old hag," as the Federal Govern
ment is only prosecuting the war 'sto defend and
maintain the supremacy of the Constitution, pre-
serve the Union with its dignites, and the rights
of the several States unimpaired'? Ii Mr.. LIN
coLS's policy of reconstruction is sustained by
Congress and the people, it effectually demolish-
es all hope of restoring the Union under repub-
lican government We are vet unwilling to be-
lieve that the people will consent to so great a
folly. in fact worse than folly-the crime of po-
litical suicide.