Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-12-07
The Democratic Party and the war
Views of Governor Seymour.

Governor SEYMOUR gives expression 70 the
following sentiments. 10 reference to the position
of the Democratic party in the present attitude
of public affairs, in response to an invitation
address Democratic meeting in New York,
just previous to the recent charter election in that
city:
AT meeting held in your city scarce month
since, spoke at length upon the great questions
which now agitate our country. The intervening
election resulted unfavorably to that political or
ganzation which believe is asserting principles
and urging policy hest calculated 70 restore
our Union, to preserve our constitutional
rights and bring back peace to our land.
While / regret this result / am still confident
that the justice and patriotism of our position
will soon be recognized by all classes Strong
prejudices and passions always prevail in periods
of civil war Unjust suspicious and dan
gerous assaults will be regretted BY our
political opponents in eslmer moments. In the
meantime il Is our duty 70 adhere firmly to those
tried principles and to those time hOaored organ
izations which governed our country so success
| fully in the past The breaking up and defeat
of the Democratic party was one of the leading
causes of the calamties which now affect our
country. lis restoration and triumph will herald
and produce a policy which will unite the North
and disarm the South and bring back again that
fraternal regard, that obedience to government,
without which our country neither be great
nor prosperous.
The Democratic party is at present subjected
to severe test of its patience and patriotism.
While compelled to bear, in common
with our political opponents, the burdens and
sacrifices which this war imposes, no just'Iegard
or respect has been paid to our views and wishes
We recognize all the rights Of the national adj
ministialiOn to direct public affairs but We object
to that temper which deals with the greatest
bellion ever known in the history of the world,
and with questions touching the greatest interests
| of our government and people, in the narrow
| spirit which marks ordinary party action Ii is
conceded by oil that we are now compelled to
grapple with the greatest and gravest questions
which have ever been submitted 10 a people; that
some of them are beyond the grasp of human ill.,
tellect. and that they directly concern the lives.
the fortunes, the happiness of our people. Il
should not be matter of surprise, or irritation,
that those who view the events from different
stand points should differ in their opinions to the
proper mode of conducting public affairs.
The fearful consequences involved in every
step now taken, are reasons why all sbond open
~ and honestly express their convictions; and
these conclusions. however conflicting, sooud be
treated with just iorbearance and respect.
Harmony of purpose and vigor of action will be
! gained more rapidly by respectful regard for
the opinions of Others than by denunciations Of
bitterness and by strife eala 1rltar
The people of the Northern States are all
agreed in this that the restoration of the Union
is essential 10 the peace, happiness and prosperity
of all sections of our broad land. Some bold
that this object will be most readily gained BY an
immediate cessation of hostilities and by negotia-
ton conducted with view to the common good.
On the opposite extremes are those who demand
that the States should besnbjugated by force and
force alone. and should be held and governed by
military control until their populations be humil-
iated to the acceptance Of such principles ard
forms of local government as may be dictated TO
them by conqGerors- $500 f-srrc- 8cE
believe that the mass of our people hold that
! in this emergency the policy should be that pur-
sued by President jackson under similar circum-
stances. While. on the one hand. there should
be every exertion OF national power 70 compel
obedience to constitutional obligations, on the
other there should be superadded every induce
merit consistent with the honor OF the govern
ment to lead the rebelous States TO Law down
their arms and return TO their appropriate posi-
tons in the Union. In the meantime no good
can be gained. no interest Of freedom, or of con-
stitutonal rights. of personal liberty will be
promoted, by making differences of opinion upon
questions of public policy occasion for strife, per-
secutons, or public disorder. While IL Is our
duty 70 repel all invasion upon our constitutional
rights. LEI US by prompt obedience 70 our con-
stitutional obligation. show that we are not ami
mated by factions purpose to embarass the
administration; but that we arc controlled oy a
fervent desire. not only to save our Union aud
preserve our constitution. but, beyond all, TO
defend those rights of person, and homes Of
property OF conscience, which that Constitution
ana the Union we're designed TO secure. Adher-
ing to our purpose to do our whole duty and 70
demand all our rights. LET us patiently and patri-
Otcally struggle TO save our country from
anarchy Or from despotism, unswerved By as
saults misrepresentation denunciations.
q To do this il is important that we should pre-
serve our ranks unbroken, our local organization
unimpaired. am animated with hope and con
fdeuce for the future that the failure in practice
of all schemes for the Capitalization Of power
will place the principles Of local self government
upon stronger aud frmer grounds. The end Of
The contest which Is now going on 10 the pnblic
mind, win not only prove that the principles Of
government held by the Democratic party made
our country great and prosperous, but that the
antagonistic doctrines OF consolidation are in
consistent with peace, with union with the ma
tional existence Let as. therefore, bear patient
" the trials OF the day. for are 10 triumph IN
the permanent establishment of the political
views held by our party organizations. -fe
~ Seven hundred and seventy seven dollars