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

spectacle, to hazard the safety Of their State
Government, and all its great interests. by re
sorting TO revolution and the most unworthy
species OF secession, is left for the inture to re
veal. We lear there is some yet hidden scheme
to be accomplished. by proceedings so extraordi-
nary Ii so. the people Of Indiana will see that
IL shall not succeed.
Let US test the sincerity of this pretext tor bolt
ing on the militia bin. 1t will be observed
that this bill. on rhich he bolt ras made,
was not the military bill which provided for an
Executive Council, TO share = portion of the. re
sponsibiliIies Gin organizing the militia With the
Governor. That bill, whatever may have been
its merits or demeriis. had been laid aside, and
was not in controversy. The measure under
consideration was simply to organize the militia
of the State. giving those who organize under il
the right to elect their company and regimental
officers. and providing for the appointment of
Brigadiers and Major Generals, according 20 the
Constitution, and by lac. IL Is not pretended that
il took any power from the Governor which the
Constitution gfthe State GAGE him IL did not. IL
only changed the Law on the subject, and contded
this class of appointments to the Governor and
Officers of State, aud provided that till company
and reyimental officers were commissioned they
had a right to act under their certificate of cleo
ton. This bill had many merits, and it doubt
less had some defects. which il was in the power
of The Republican members TO correct, with the
aid of many Democrats who were willing to
make il as unobjectiOnabIe as il was possible
There was no desire on the part of the IN joIity
to force the bill through. and the same having
been engrossed on Wednesday, the 18th of Feb
ruary, the bill had TO take its chance IN the cal
ender. As an evidence of the insincerity for
making that bill a pretext for breaking up the
Legislature, we will state that the militia bill
could not have been reached upon its third read
ing for several days after the minority had left
their ssats. By a reference to the condition OF
the House business on the 25th February, when
the Republicans seeded, il will be seer that Il
large number of bills had pr scedence Of the one
SO distasteiul to our Republican friends. and that,
had they remained in their seats, it was in their
power TO keep it back till the last days OF the
session, when the Governors veto would have
given it the coup de grace. and left it amongst the
unfinished business. The following was the con
dition of the House files ON the day of the Re
publican bolt:
House bills on third reading g
" engro~Sed but not reported --------.. %
g on second reading -------------.--.- II
" on fir reading. 49,. ....-........ 5
Senate bills on third read ng in House. ....... -. 80
on second reading in House.-....---. 10
on first re tding in House----.----.--- IS
House Joint resolutions on third reading ...---. y
Senate " ........... D
Every one acquainted with the rules which
govern Legislative bodies is aware, that To sus
HCtAA hhN la'tG W tWt AVAoN w ~ PAt BBNC Va
taking a bill up out Of its order, requires a vote OF
two-tiirds in its favor. Tor sixty seven votes) in
the House of Representatives. The majority
party had but fifty nine votes, all told, in the
House. and ii every Democrat was in his seat.
and all in favor of passing the militia bill, they
had no power to suspend the rules, and could not
have done SO against the legitimate action of the
minority. These rules are made to protect mi
%nOrities, and to prevent majOrities from forcing
h.~f.1- a.,- Tho .ta -
the smaller number. The rule is made for that
express purpose, and the Republicans had the
strongest and sureSt protection for their rights,
without resOrting to the extraordinary and revo
tiOnary measure OF destroying the legislative de
partmeut OF the Govern ment. They might have
remained in their seats and ialcfuHy secured the
defeat OF that bill, had 1t been their pleasure TO
do so. But they preferred revolution, and with
il the anarchy which follows IN its train. We
have no disposition to say unkind things of gen
tlemen with whom We have been associated in
the public councils Of the State. For the minor
ity of the House we have entertained, and now
cherish feelings Of personal good will aud it will
be to us a source OF lasting regret that they have
felt 1t 10 be a duty 10 abandon their seats, and
thus tarnish the good name and credit of Indiana,
at a time, too, when good men should stand firm
in The defense OF social order. here and elsewhere.
We have never defended the right of minOrities
to everturn the fabric OF Government in South
Carolina or Indiana. nor do we believe il is sus
tanned by any sound or valuable principle If
we entertained such sentiments, We would be
bound to give them force and vigor in National
as well as State affairs. We repudiaIe them al.
At the commencement OF the session. we were
met by the minority with threats, that they would
break "a quorum. or resort To any other means to
defeat measures which were Objectionable to
them, and particularly any proposition TO change
or medify the militia law. The minority seem 10
have repaired to indianapolis with Il fired purpose
to have matters pretty much their own way, or
that nothing should be done. Copying after the
proscriptive policy OF the Administration at Wash
ington, the Indiana Republicans seem TO thitk that
laws should be passed Tor their especial convent
ence. and that Democrats have no rights which a
Republican or AbOlitiolist is bound TO respect.
They have very unsatisfactory notions about the
privileges OF the people. and Quite ex tlted ones in
! regard 10 their own. Indeed they seem - think
that the people OF this country have little, if any
interest in the kind OF laws which shall be insti
stituted for their government and security, and
that the chief duty of the non-oficeholdins class
is to pay their taxes. vote the Republican ticket,
and support Mr.. Lincoln and his Abolition meas
ures. This Is regarded by certain characters as
the chic; duty Of man, and their orators and leg
%islatOrs preach and practice upon this slavish
dogma OF a decreasing and baffied minority.
To show how completely this sentiment had
control OF the minds Of the minority in the House,
We will cite a remarkable Instance: Early in
February. Mr.. CAsoN, u Republican member
from Boone county, introduced a resolution into
the House raising a Committee of Thirteen to
consider anu report what was necessary for the
members "tO come TO some satisfactory under
ST inding" about the questions which most devided
them. That Committee WIS raised, and in due
time reported. Mr.. CAsoS for the minority, and
Mr.. NIBLACK. of knex. fOF the majority. The
minority recommended the following:
The minority OF the Committee Of Thirteen
would most respectfully submit to the majority
of said Committee the following as their views OF
what should be the action of the present session
OF the Legislature:
IL. We would recommend that there be no
legislation extending or restricting the powers
and duties OF the Governor over The organization
or command Of the militia and army. by estab
fishing an Executive Council, OF in any other
way
-. That there be no resolutions passed calling
for "a National Convention, an armisuce, or APP
pointing peace commissioners to meet other
commissioners Of a like character from other
States.
"3. That while we are all in favor of the sue
cess.ul prosecution of the var aud tie restoration
of the Union, yet there is difference of opinion,
as to the proper mode of summa fhe>s
desired ends. therefore, ICE that M
resolutions be passed on This subject, thus leaving
every one in the free exercise of his individual
opinions.
"A. That. if it is thought advisable to estab
lish an auditing committee. the powers and dntie:
Of that committee shall not eztend to the coHtrO
Of any Disbursements. but only To the auditing o
claims and vouchers.
HE ~. 49, hill - -