Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-11-30
The Pre.,den, at Gettysburg.

1t is not supposed by any one, we believe, that
Mr.. Lincoln is possessed of much polish in man.
ners or conservation. His adherents however
claim for him an average amount of common
sense, and more than ordinary kind and gen
erous heart. We have failed to distinguish his
pre- eminence in tie latter, and apprehend the
former to be somewhat mythical, but imagine
that his deficiencies herein being less palpabe
than in other qualities constituting statesman
have led his admirers greatly to over estimate
him in these regards. These qualities are
failing guides TO appropriateness OF speech aud
action in mixing with the world however slight
may have been the opportunities afforded their
possecsor for becoming acquainted with the usa-
ges of society
The introduction of Dawdlesm in a funeral
sermon is an innovation upon established conven.
tionalities, which, year or two ago, would have
been regarded with scorn by all who thought Gus
tom should to greater or less extent, be con-
suited in determining social and public proprie-
ties. And the custom which forbds its introduc-
ton is founded the propriety of the fitness of
things and is not therefore military arbitrary, or
confined to special localities, but has suggested
to all nations the exclusion of political partisan
ship in funeral discourses. Common sense, then,
should have taught Mr.. Lincoln that its intrusion
upon such an occasion was offensive exhib
tion of boorishness and rulgarity An Indian in
eulogzing the memories of warriors who had
fallen in battle, would avoid allusion differenc-
es in the tribe that had connection with the
prevailing circumstances, aud which he knew
would excite unnecessarily the bitter prejudices
of his hearers. Is Mr.. Lincoln less refined than a
savagef
But aside from the ignorant rudeness manifest
in the Presidents exhibition of Dawdeism at
Gettysburg and which was an insult at least to
the memories of part of the dead, whom he
there professedlv to honor-in its misstatement
Of the Cause for which they died, it was per-
version of history SO fragrant that the most ex-
tended charity cannot regard It otherwise than
willful. That. if we do him injustice, our read
ers may make the needed correction. we append
portion of the eulogy on the dead at Gettysburg:
-Four score and ten years ago our fathers
brought forth upon this continent nation conse
Grated to liberty and dedicated to the proposition
that all men are created equal [Cheers Now
We are engaged in a great civil war, testing
whether that nation or any other nation
secrated and 81 dedicated can long endure"
As refutation of tins statement, we copy GER
tain clauses ia the Federal Constitution:
Representatives aud direct taxes shall be ap-
portioned among the several States which NAV
be included in this Union. according to their re
Spectiye numbers, which shall be determined by
adding to the whole number of free persons in
cluding those bound 20 service for a term of years
ana excluulDX IntlBfS not taxed, threehfthS OF
all other persons
1.-The migration importation of such per-
sons any of the States now existing shall think
proper to admit. shall not be prohibited by the
Congress prior TO TIE year 1908, but tax or duty
may be imposed on such importation, not ex-
ceeding ten dollars for each person -
mo amendment to the Constitution, made
prior to leOS. shall effect the preceding clause"
mo person held to service or labor in one
State under the laws thereof, escaping into
another, shall, in consequence of any law or regu-
lation therein, be discharged from such service
or labor, but shall be delivered up on claim of
the party TO whom such service or labor may be
due"
| Do these provisions in the Constitution dedicate
the nation to "the proposition that all men are
created equalf" Mr. Lincoln occupies his present
position by virtue of this Constitution, and is
sworn to the maintenance and enforcement of
these provisions Il was to uphold this Consti-
tuition. and the Union created by IT, that our Off
GERS aud soldiers gave their lives at Gettysburg
How dared he. then, standing on their graves,
misstate the cause for which they died, and libel
the statesmen who founded the Government?
They were men possessing too much self respect
to declare that negroes were their equals, or
were entitled to equal privileges-I Chicago
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