Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-05-25

its tendency Is to set brother against brother, and
because there can be nothing but violence aud
tyranny when the hopes Of liberty are buried.
These Institutions sheltered our fathers and our
mothers when they Ned from the tyranny of the
old governments. These institutions are now
endangered, and | and you and All of us have too
much at stake 20 allow them to he overthrowu.
He called upon the people. then, to save the
Constitution from being ~trampled on by those in
authority. We will allow none TO lead US into
violence; but by our 6rmness and calm determin-
alton to stand by our rights, we will force our Op-
ponents into respect for them. We have one
remedy in the ballot box If those in authority
do not observe our rights, we can turn them out
through the ballot box. We have another RENE
dy. if we believe the laws of our law makers IN
constitutional, in the courts; and we have still
another, which is quite as good and eficacious,
and that is in the voice of the people uttered from
assemblages such as this where we are discussing
our rights peacefully but manfully-a voice
terrible to those who are delinquent in their
trusts. He rejoiced to find ou )litical opponents
condemning this order of Burnside-condemning
il with US; and as meeting after meeting such as
this will be held by the people, there need be no
fear as to their being heard. We will have no
more arbitrary arrests, but authority constitution
ally enforced throughout the land. We will have
one land. held together by ~fraternal feeling. such
as should exist among the sons of men who
fought the battles of the revolution.
Set your faces against bloodshed-rally around
the civil authority-uphold the majesty of the
law. A mass of men such as are gathered here
to night, will W. into respect all opponents, and
are sure TO obtain their rights. Let US pledge
ourselves now. and at all times, TO stand up
boldly, and as becomes free American and law
abiding citizens, for the Constitution and the
laws. and for the observance of the governing
power as well as by the governed, and our
country. with our librrties, will be sound. Our
children can then meet here at the capital. as
we meet tonight, with the same glorious flag,
restored to its primitive condition. floating over
them, and with a country the hope and admira-
ton of the world.
THE RESOLUTIONS INTRODUCED BY THE RoN. J.v.L.
. PRUYN AND UNANIMOUSLY ADOPTED.
ResoiUed. That as Democrats we are deter
mined to maintain this patriotic attitude. and,
despite of adverse and disheartening circum
stances, to devote all our energies to sustain the
cause of the Union. TO secure peace through
victory, and to bring about the restoration of
all the States under the safeguards of the Con.
~stitution.
ResoIoed, That while we will not consent TO be
misrepresented upon these points. we are deter
mined not to he misunderstood in regard To Others
not less essential. We demand that the Admin
istration shall be true to the CONSTITUTION, shall
recognize and maintain the rights of the States
aud the liberties of the citizen, shall every where
outside of the lines OF necessary military occu-
patton and the scenes of Instruction. exert all its
powers to maintain the supremacy of the civil
and military law.
ReSoLoed, That in view Of these principles we
denounce the recent assumption of n military
| pOmmuplor tn coizp and fry "a cifizon Of Ohio n
l.. Vsllandigham. for no other reason than words
addressed TO a public meeting, in criticism of the
course of the Administration. and in cOndemna-
ton of the military orders of that General.
Resolved. That this assumption of power by a
military tribunal; if successfully asserted, rot
only abrogates the right of the people TO asse m
BILE and discuss the affairs of Government. the
liberty of speech and of the press. the right of
trial by jury, the law of evidence. and the priv
lege of habeas corpus. but il strikes a fatal blow
at the supremacy of the law, ami the authority of
the State and Federal Constitutions.
ResolUed. That the Constitution of the United
States-the Supreme Law of the Land-has de-
fined the crime of treason against the United
States to consist "only in levving war against
them, or adhering to their enemies. giving them
aid and comfort" and has provided tn It mo per-
son shall be convicted of treason, unless on the
testimony Of two witnesses to the same overt act,
or on confession in open court" And il further
provides that mo person shall be held to answer
for u capital or otherwise infamous crime, unless
on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury
except in cases arising in the land and naval
forces. or in the militia, when in actual service
in time of war or public danger and further,
that, I'm all criminal prosecutions, the accused
shall enjoy the right of a speedy and public trial.
by an impartial jury of the State and District
wherein the crime was committed"
ResOiued, That these safeguards of the rights
of the citizen against the pretensions of arbitrary
power, we're intended more especially for his pro
lection in times of civil commOtiOn. They we're
secured substantially to the English people, after
years of protracted civil war, and were adopted
into our Constitution at the close of the revOlu
ton. They have stood the test of seventy-six
years of trial, under our republican system; under
Circumstances which show that while they consti
tute the foundation of all free government, they
are the elements of the enduring stability of the
Republic.
Resolved. That in adopting the language Of
Daniel Webster, we declare 1t is the ancient and
undoubted prerogative OF this people to canvass
public measures and the merits Of public men. IL
Is a home bred right a freside privilege. 1t
had been enjoyed in every house, cottage and
cabin in the nation. Ii is AS und0ubted as the
right of breathing the air or walking on the earth
Belonging to a private life ms n right, il belongs
to public life as a duty, and it is the last duty
which II ose whose representatives we are, shall
find us to abandon. Aiming at all times TO be
courteous and temperate in its use, except when
the right itself is questioned. we shall place our
selves on the extreme boundary of our own right
and bid defiance to any arm that would move us
from our ground.
This high constitutional privilege we shall
defend and exercise in all places; in time of peace.
in time of war. at all times. Living we shall as
sert il; and should we leave 70 other inheritance
to our children, by the blessing Of God we will
leave them the inheritance OF free principles and
the examnle of a manly. independent and consti-
%tutioBal defense OF them"
ResoIred, That in the election of Governor
Seymour the people of this State by an emphatic
majority declared their condemnation OF the sys-
ten Of arbitrary arrests aud their determination
to stand by the Constitution. That the revival OF
this lawless system can have but one result: to
divide and distract the North and destroy its con
6dence in the purposes of the administration
That we deprecate it as an element of confusion
at home. of weakness to our armies in the field
and as calculated TO lower the estimate of Amer
can character and magnify the apparent peril of
our cause abroad. And that, regarding the blow
struck Mt a citizen of Ohio as aimed at the rights
of every citizen of the North. we denonnce it as
against the spirit of our laws and Constitution,
and most earnestly call upon the PRESIDENT oil
the United States TO reverse the action of the
military tribunal which has passed a "cruel and
unusual punishment" upon the party arrested
prohibited in terms by the Constitution; and To
restore him to the liberty of which he has been
deprived.
Resolved, That the President, Vice Presidents
and Secretary of this meeting be requested to
transmit a copy of these resolutions to His Excel.
lency the President of the United States with the
assurance from this meeting OF their hearty aai
earnest desire to support the Government in every