Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-08-24
rhe BASIS OF the ~war D~enocracy''

u U~ntenabie.
We see, just now, desperate efforts being made
70 form a new political party. to De STYLED "Ths
War Democracy" It's conceptions Is aSxedfact
but whether it will psss successfully through the
several -tsges Of parlslisisn, depends upon Ger
t-in conditions. which We purpose briefly exAmin-
Ing.
A new party Is necessary. say its accOucheurs.
because. Let. No party hss ever survived opposi-
ton 60 = war in this republic; %, therefore, ali.
anti war parties sill be overthrowE; 3. The De-
mocracy are opposed to the present war; 4,b.
therefore. they are destined 10 speedily die
THIS statement is what We, every day. see IN
the "war journals, /" and bear from its advocates.
Submitted to the test of logical analysis. il is
gross falIacy. deeslving no intelligent man. and
addressed exclusively to the ignorant. Admit
the first proposition. is the second alogicaldeduc.
toni Because all past anti war parties have
~succumbed, does that fate await those Of the fu-
ture7 II so, a war to overthrow every constitu
tional right. and to substitute a despotism, would
become popular with the very people who are
thereby euslaved. The truth is. a war is not of
itself popular with the American people. but be-
cause Of its surroundings. Heretofore our wars
have been 10 self defense. or in the vindication of
outrages to the persons and property of our citi-
sens. and with foreign powers The Revolution
airy war gave birth to a nation and to a republic.
The war Of 1912 confirmed lis independence;
that with Mexico added a vast domain to our ma
tional possessions. rich in all the elements Of
wealth and power, and was fought with little cost
of treasure or blood.
In order to make the deduction logical. the
premises must be established. aud must exclude
every other conclusion. The present war must
principles and for Ike purposes 1t is not against
a foreign power, but assinst our own citizens.
II adds not a single acre To the national domain,
nor a soul to our population. or 4 dollar TO our
wealth. It Is not for independence. but to SUBJ
iect TO national authority those in rebellion against
il. IL burdens the nation with an inextinguisha-
BILE debt, imposes unprecedented and onerous
taxation upon the people. introduces strange aud
odious features into the machinery OF govern
ment, such as the excise Law. the license system,
&C.. devastates q large portion OF the country and
alienates the affections of the conquered people
from those who vsnquished them. Are these
the elements Of popularity
Opposition to the Mexican war was not the
death Of the Wing party. Its demise is directly
traceable to a cardinal difference of opinion upon
the slavery question. SO long as that question
was subordinate 10 others national in their char.
acter. it not only lived. but was formidable
When that question became paramount. il died,
and from that cause.
If opposition to war killed political parties. it
would. il il fair TO presume, bring to political
death the individual opponent. CoRwIs, LIN
coin snd others. bitter foes 10 the Mexican war,
not only live. but are in power. representative
Of a dominant party. The members of the po-
litieal party in the New England States that op-
power. but they and their legitimate successors
have made constant accessions, and to day are
In the sscendeucy in the administration of the
National Government.
The third proposition ia not true in point Of
fact. The Democracy are not opposed to the
present war per Sc. They were opposed to com
mencing It until all reasonable o~vertures for
peace we're exhausted, and Insist that il the Re-
publican members of Congress had yielded to a
just compromise, it would have been avoided,
and in that opinion they are sustained by the re-
cords of Congress They are opposed to certain
TEXTURES connected with the prosecution of the
war in violation OF the Constitution. and insist il
can be waged successfully Without them. They
are opposed TO all other objects OF the war than
the restoration of the Union according to the
Constitution. Upon the war itself as an aostrac-
ton. separated from the slavery question and
State rights. all parties are agreed: upon these
questions. the people divide. Who is right1
The fourth position. or the second sequence.
Is illogical. because the premises are untrue.
The Wa Democracy" must either favor the
emancipation policy. OF oppose st. II they Ia
gor il, the Democrats who voted the ticket 10
1864 viii not affiliate with them: nor will the
people Of the seeded States, who are the victims,
be likely TO be OF them. unless the laws
of human nature are reversed If they
oppose that policy. the abolition element, hy
far the largest OF. the Republican party,
will set up for themselves. as they have hereto
fore done. If they oppose the emancipation pol.
icy. they must rely mainly upon the Democracy
for their support. What, then. viii be the use
Of a new OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES its hopes OF success
with a united or depopulated South? If the PEG
pie. now rebels. ofthe South are suffered to live
and become citizens Of the republic again. they
will stard aloof from any political organic rtions
whose members during the wat gave a hearty or
tacit acquiescence in anti slavery measures II
they are annihilated, they will not be there to
vote against Northern Abolitionists. who will
then be in their ascendant.
These are plain facts, and the conclusion Is
obvious that the "war Democracy" as a sepa-
rate political organization. will be a failure. Tie
true policy for those who are in favor of sup
pressing the rebellion. but opposed TO abolition
ism, is TO rally to the old Democratic standard
and strive there TO keep it tree from the errors
OF secessionism aud abolitionism. and pledged to
vigorous prosecution Of the war, within the Con.
stitution. 20 restore tue Union. and to a consti,
%tufional settlement of it, sequences.
Democratic soldiers Relief FUND.
Col. Vim r Morrison. agent for disbursine
the fund raised in pursuance of a resolution oil
the Democratic Convention in.June. has Just re