Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-03-23

armed, equipped. and trained, In such manner as
may be provided by lar"
Here we have a full and complete answer to
these who complain that the Governor was
stripped of al power ever the organic ,tion of the
militia. by the bill pending in the House. He
never had this power by the Constitution, as will
be seen on reading the above section. But is il
not strange that these fault finders. who are such
stickIers for the Governors right to organize the
militia have not one word OF denunciation for the
couScription act of Congress, which leaves him
not q particle of Po1cer oUer the nitifiz offhe State?
Neither his name. nor the name OF his hOnOrel
young Commonwealth, are mentioned in the act.
Both are consigned to dishonor and TO silence.
And vet neither himself nor his friends complaint
An. that outrage was perpetrated by a Republi-
can Congress, and that makes the d fferencei
The Democratic members of the House aud of
the other branch of the Assembly, have borne
much from their colleagues of the minority. and
more from their apoiogists and defenders outside
of the Capitol. From day to day the minority
were assailed by an unscrupulous party press, and
by the political adjuncts employed in and about
the Executive Chamber of the State. The most
unworthy mUtiSes were attributed to us, and the
most glaringly false accusations husled at the
majority. whose only offense was that they be-
lieved Indiana had more than one man rkO c0uid
be trusted That majority had adopted The no
ton that, III a great State ike ours. it was possible
that there could be found men of energy. intellect
and virtue in numbers sufficient to divide labor
and to multiply hOnOrs. Ii was not necessary, in
their %opirion. 70 install the Governor of the State
into all the places under the State and National
Governments, aud to give to one man the sole
direction OF the multifirious concerns of Indiana.
AS he had neglected the high duty of seeing
chat the laws be faithfully executed" ard had
allowed his fellow citizens to be dragged as felons
to Government cells and filthy garrets, aud had
raised 30 hand to stay the ~Iora-~on the rights of
the people, we concluded that he Rad a just claim
To be relieved of a portion of his labor, SO that
his official duties-those which specially belong 10
him-might be more under his control. In Sc
lecting those who might take a portion of the
extra labor from bis shoulders. the majority were
mindful of the qualifications necessary for that
purpose. The OFFICERS OF STATE, recently
elected by the people o. Indiana we're the per
sons whom the majority had designated to aid in
those Onerous and responsible duties, uhica ioy
outside Of his GOuerROrship. We need not say
that they are gentlemen OF the highest character,
and that in all rigbtful matters they would have
cordially and earnestly CO operated with HIS Elk
~cellency in giving proper direction to the wishes
OF the people, and in the faithful execution of
every trust COMMITTEES to their joint labors and
responsibilities. The doing Of this wise snd pru-
dent thing. has been. after all, the great ofensein
the eyes of those Uho hare defamed as. The minor.
ity can forgive every thing but curtailing their
patronage and power. and that, with them, is the
objectionable sin. So be il. We are prepared
for neg assaults on that account, aud quite ready
to meet every question involved in our action in
relation to it. Tr6e modesty breads manifold re-
sponsibilities. The self sufficient and arrogant
always invite them. Men who clamor for and
clutch at power should tie watched.
We have, fellow countrymen, endeayored to
discharge every duty with the honest integrity of
men who feel their responsibilities to the people,
to their country, and TO God. In no case have
we attempted TO interpose the promptings of a
party zeal before the general good of the State.
We fclt at the beginning, and now feel that the
Legislative department of Indiana was in our
hands, and that we would be held responsible for
the use which we made of it. TIL people had
committed to our keeping the law-making power,
and we wished only to exercise it for the benefit
of the whole people. 1t was our right to give
effect to all reforms which We deemed essential.
regardless of every party consideration, and this
we have endeavored to do in the sight and in the
hearing of all men whose right it is to scan our
conduct. The following measures we endea-
vored to pass, with others of minor importance:
L. A revision of the militia law, and the right
of those who organized under it, to elect their
company and reeipental officers, tearing TO the
Governor the fill exercise Of dHhis porers under the
Constitution.
9. An act to enforce the 18th article of the
Constitution, and prohibi ing the entry inso this
State of free negroes and mulattoes. This act
passed the Senate, nearly every Republican Senator
roting against It.
3. A specific appropriation of one hundred
thousand dollars for the relief of the sick and
wounded soldiers of Indiana.
4. A joint resolution to Congress asking that
the pay of private soldiers in the army be raised
to sixteen dollars per month, and that the pay of
all officers, above the rank of Captain, be reduced
% per cent.
5. A joint resolution to Congress asking that
the pensions which may be allowed TO those who
have been wounded in the service, or to the
widows and orphans of those who have fallen in
battle, or have died of their wounds, be paid in
gold or silver, or their equivalent in paper money
at par; and, also, that the pay of the private sol
der and company officers be paid in the same
mode, and in the same par funds.
6. A JOINT resolution to Congress cOndemning
the Presidents policy OF compensation 10 thOse
who may manumit their slaves, and the conse
qucnt taxation of our people for such a purpose.
Also, condemning the Presidents proclamation
ofneero emancipation, by which the free States
would be oyerruu with contraband negroes. to the
great injury OF the white population, aud The mix
lug up OF a degraded race in our cities. towns and
Dn our farms and III our SnopS. VT nau Il right
to maize this protest on behalf of our white popu
lation, and TO keep the soil of Indiana for the sole
use Of the white race.
Z. An appropriation of two millions of dollars
for the prompt payment OF wages due to the In
diana troops now in the field, whenever. in the
opin on Of the Governor. Auditor and Treasurer
OF State, such payment ought 10 be made. in or
der to correct any neglect OF the General Govern
ment in that respect.
s. To provide for the payment of interest on the
State debt for the yeaIS 1868 and 1854
9. To provide for the payment Of interest on
the War Loan Bonds and on the Blinking Fund
Bonds.
10 To provide means for the support of the
State Prisons, North and South.
Ii. To provide means for the support and
maintenance of the Benevolent Institutions OF
the State. viz: the Insane, the Deaf and Dumb
and the Blind
II For maintaining the Indiana Legion, aud
the security OF the Border from invasion.
ID. For the PaymeLt oi the salaries aud office
expenses OF the Governor and other State off
GERS, aud for the payment Of the salaries OF
The Judges and all others VINO render service to
the State.
Is. A bill to protect the people from illegal ar
rests, and To punish those who make them.
These were some of the measures which the
majority had a right to pass, aud each measure
was demanded by the people OF the State. All
of them might not prove acceptable TO the MINOR
ity, bnt that did not justify their defeat by means
which are disreDutfble and revolutionary. If that
logic he insisted upon as sound, it would be i'm
possible 10 conduct legislation for any length OF
time without minorities becoming too powerful
even for m %,ierities. There is no soundness in
the pretence, and those whJ make It consult their
passions rather than their judgment. Their doc
trines wouia lead IN anarchy and the ahro~ation