Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-03-30
Address of the Military Governor of



We publish this morning the address Of Brig
adler General DARLINGTON upon assuming the
government Of the Military District of Indiana.
This is a new feature in the history of our State.
Never before has Indiana been placed under mil
itary rule. 1t is a dangerous delegation Of power.
General CARRINGroS is not amenable to the civil
power Of the State. He is above il. He is not
responsible TO the people of Indiana for the dis
charge of the trust con6ded to him. He is an
officer of the Federal Government. He receives
his orders from and reports to the Federal mill
tary authorities. He executes their will and not
the will of the people of his military department.
In that regard this new department in the Federal
Government overrides the sovereignty and indie
pendence of the State. There is danger, great
danger. if this extraordinary power is not placed
in the hands of wise, discreet, honest and good
men. thst the constitutional rights of the people
may be invaded and by repeated encroachments
gradually overthrown. There may be a
necessity for this novel exercise of mill
tary authority in a republican govern
ment-in a State whcse patriotism and
devotion to the Government has been thoroughly
tested, and over a people whose capacity for self
government has been illustrated through forty
three years of extraordinary prosperity and pro
gress; and IL so. we yield to the exigency which
requires it But it is well for the people to con
slider how rapidly the new current of Govern
mental authority is washing the landmarks of the
fathers Of the Republic, whose wisdom. patriot
ism and craftsmanship have been lauded by ora
tors and poets since the formation of the Gov
eminent as equal. if not superior to any recorded
in history.
There are MANY suggestions and sentiments in
the address or message of General CARRrSGroN
which will meet with the hearty commendation
and approval of every good citizen. If they are
carried out in good faith. irrespective of party,
we have no doubt the order and peace of the
State will be preserved. All the people demand
is he preservation and exercise Of their ~constitu-
tioual rights. If there is no abridgement of the
freedom of speech and of the press, we mean not
the license of either; if arbitrary arrests for opin-
ions sake, or even for ofenses against the State,
cease: if the balIot-box is kept open. untaint-
ed with fraud, so that it may be the fair arbiter
Of the opinions and will Of the people: il
security to life and property, an obi
CATION which is due from every Govern
ment to the citizen, remains, and if there is no
encroachment upon the liberty of the citizen, as
guaranteed by the Constitution. the people will
be satisfied, and the apprehensions which now
exist in the public mind as to the intended
Infringement upon popular rights by those in
power will be quieted. We are willing to con-
ecde to General CARRISGroN the purpose TO do
right. We accept his declaration of intentions
and his views of public policy and the duty of
the citizen. in that spirit. And, as he appeals to
the press. so far as it is in our power we will
sustain and aid him in the rightful discharge of
his duties and in the accomplishment Of the
objects he sets forth.
Fidelity to the Constitution and ODE hence to
law is the highest duty of the citizen. This
obligation rests upon all alike-equally upon
General CARRINGroS and all in authority with
the humbIest private citizen. We have no doubt
the Government will be restored to its old paths,
if Gle people have secured to them open debate
and a pure ballot box. The Democracy Of Indiana
are willing to submit all the questions now al
issue upon public affairs to that arbitrament-to
these peaceful agencies-5O these constitutions
remedies for the redress of grievances, If they
are secured to all alike.