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

The message of Mr. Lincoln is important in
this respect that it announces the future policy of
the Administration as wholly opposed TO concili-
ation and in expectation of peace only as the re-
suit of total and absolute conquest. The terms
of peace are to be not only unconditional submis-
sion TO the Constitution and the laws, but still
worse, an individual oath to support" the meas
ures Of the Administration. The New York
Tribune with curious effrontery, misrepresents
and conceals from its readers the extent to
which the require ment of the Presidentgoes; that
paper says and repeats that he requires nothing
but that the rebels shall Submit TO" and 'acqui-
esce I'M the proclamation which is a very differ
ent thing from the Presidents words, which de-
mand that they shall swear to support" his
measures.
If VIC should apply to this requirement the
reasonable and anti-Union language of the Tri-
bune and the Abolitionists, we should probably
be accused, by these very same persons, of dis
loyalty. The Tribune has strongly expressed
its total adherence of the plan of pinning one
part of the Union TO another by bayonets 1t is
curious part of the history of our times that the
radicals; are so constantly in the habit of charg-
ing dsloyalthe sentiments of which they them
selves have been the most strenuous advocates,
and which they seek to fix on their adversaries so
as to save their own necks.
But laying aside all questions of loyalty or dis
loyalty, for the people sick of the radical hy
pocrisy which has so abused the terms, the ques-
ton presented to the honest patriot in examining
the Presidents proclamation and message is this:
Does it seem 10 be born of a true and honest de-
| sire TO restore the Union! Ii is only a method
of estimating the true character of the radical
policy that We suggest this question Would
true lover of the old Union, of any union be-
| tween the Northern and Southern States, patri-
ot sincerely desiring to bring the war TO q close
by the achievement of its original object take
this way of doing it2 Could he find no better!
1t is fair and most important question. The
President doubtless thinks the plan the best that
he devise with his peculiar views. Indeed
he saws as much. 1t is then the elimination of
the radical policy, and the only visible method,
/ in the view of Mr.. Lincoln and his friends by
which peace is to be attained. ltmust be consid-
cred the absolute sum total Of the wisdom of the
! present Administration the only means which it
can devise for restoring peace to our distracted
country.
The effect of the adoption of this ultiratum,
| by the Administration, on the people of the
North must necessarily be to draw line between
those who think with it that the Union only
| be restored by total reduction and submission
of the rebels, and those who think that peace
could be hastened by wise and statesman-like
disposition or conciliation. Mr.. Lincoln felici-
tates himself on the result of the late elections,
as If the course of the nation the slavery ques-
| ton had been decided ar them, and that too by
immense and Interchangeable maiorities. We are
inclined to think he mistakes the fact, while it is
certain that he forgets the enormous expense of
money men, and reputation which it has cost his
Administration to carry those elections. And If
the question came up, fairly and squarely before
the people, shall the emancipation proclamation
and the coniscation acts be repudiafed, shelved,
erased if possible forgotten, provided the South
ern people rcpudiate their secession acts and re-
turn to their duty as citizens aud subjects, we
say If this question came before the people of the
| North the immense majority of them would vote
Ave with n shout We think this fact Mr.. Lin
| coin leaves ont of his account
II The prospect seems to be that the Presidential
election will afford an opportunity for testing
how far this is the feeling IF the people. The
policy of the Administration has been to make
war on the rebels by making war on their pet in
stitution. The result, according TO our idea, has
been that the war has cost five time as much as it
ought, and has been indefinitly prolonged by the
mistake. We have wasted our time and money
in strengthening the enemy and binding his loose
forces more and more closely together. Now we
have the rest of the policy laid out. No end of
the war except by the total abolition of slavery,
and that policy is to be submitted to the people
for approval. Will they sustainit by continuing
it for years longerl The message Of the Presi-
dent is intended to submit this question. Its tho
last message in the ordinary course, before the
Presidential election, and il Is toerably certain
that it secures Mr.. Lincoln q renornination.-IN.
Y. Journ. of Com.
tEA correspondent Of the New Haven Reg
lister saws that Jack" brother Of General But
ler the proprietor of one of the largest gam
bling houses In San Francisco when the war broke