Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-01-19
A North-western Confederacy.

MOTHS ~ eStefn C0ufederacys
A so-calIed Union" meeting was held at Ma
sonic Hall on Wednesday evening. which was
addressed by several of the magnates OF the Re-
publican party. Governor MORTON was the prin-
cipal speaker. and. according to the Journal. "be
adverted to the scheme of North western seces-
sion, which has now become the rallying cry and
animatIng purpose of portion Of the Demo
cratic party" And. according to the same au-
thority, The Governor gave, at some length, a
history Of the operations and purposes of the Sc
cret society which, once 'strenuously denied by
the Democrats, is now fully and even boastfully
admitted. He showed how it was used to corrupt
soldiers, encourage desertions aud demoalize the
army" We quote these extracts from the Cow
ernor's remarks to show the persistent efforts
being made by leading Republicans to impress
the public mind with the idea that there are
schemes of secession in the Northwest" which
are likely to be successful.
division of the Union has long been a cher
ished plan with the radical leaders of the Repub
lican party. Immediately after the Presidential
election of 1860 the New York Tribune. the In
danapolis Journal, the Cincinnati Commercial,
the Chicago Tribune, the Buffalo Express, and
numerous other Republican prints, in deliberately
prepared articles invited the slaveholding States
to leave the Union. They boldly proclaimed
that they willing that all the dissatisfied
States might depart in peace AID establish con-
federacy of their own, and that mo opposition to
the separation would come from the Republican
party. Eleven States of the Union accepted this
invitation, and now we see the very prints and
the men who professed a willingness that they
should depart in peace, themselves urging the
vigorous prosecution of for their subjuga-
ton and desolaton to be conducted contrary to
the usages of civilized warfare. And in studied
resolutions they proclaim that the encouragement
of servile Instructions by giving freedom to the
slaves, which must result in the Wholesale
murder of women and children. is Chris
tian mems to weiken, cripple and destroy this
rebellion and they profess to find authority
and justification for the use of such means
Z" in the war power OF the Constitution
Two years ago large portion of The present
"UniOn" party were willing that all the States
that desired to leave the D Lion might 20 in
peace, but now they are clamOrons for the pros
ecuton of exhausting which. to
favorite expression, will cost the nation almost
its last dollar and nearly its last man. Such are
some of the fruits of the Republican administra-
ton Of the Government.
But why these studied efforts upon the part of
the Republic ms to give prominence To schemes
of secessionin the North westl" They are made
either to build up men of straw for the pleasure
OF knocking them down. or else the object is to
create a feeling in favor of the very scheme to
which they profess opposition The Governor
says the rebels build their hopes of success upon
our divisions; and who gives them encouragement
to believe that such divisions exists? "rousing"
meeting of Republicans in this city, which was
addressed by the Governor of Indiana. and upon
his authority, proclaim to the rebels that large
portion of the people of the N ORTIZ west are in
favor of secession. and that there is powerful
secret association in existence, the purpose or
which is, corrupt soldiers, encourage deser-
tons and demoralize the Union army" and that
its operations to accomplish these ends have been
successful. If the publication of such sentiments
is not giving aid and comfort to the enemy. then
we cannot understand the meaning of the term.
We are promised, in day or two, by the Jour
nal Il revelation of facts which will substantiate
the charges made by the Governor that such
secession sentiment, and an organization. powerful
in numbers. for the objects stated, prevail to an
alarming degree throughout the Northwest.
4. Il. l. a.
hope is there that a further prosecution of the
war will be attended with beneficial results? Is
it not evidence that there is growing sentiment
against the further prosecution of the for the
objects which il is now waged? Is it not in fact
a concession by the Republican leaders that the
war is a failure? When public meeting in this
city, composed of the gravest, wisest and most
sagacious members of the Republican party,
recommend the people of this State, in their
townships and in each one of the counties of the
State. to organize at the earliest possible period
and be prepared to resist all schemes of disloyal
men looking to the formation of North western
Confederacy," may not apprehend that there
is imminent danger of a revolution in the North
west. right in our midst, more alarming even than
the Southern rebellion?
If such a condition Of affairs should occur,
from whence would come the men and the means
for vigorous prosecution of the war to give free
dom to the negro? Aud who would be response
bic for the anarchy and the troubles which would
followf Would it not be the men, like those
who composed the meeting on Wednesday night,
who openly advise and justify executive usurpa-
tons more dangerous to the liberties Of the peo-
pie and the stability of the government than any
thing attempted by the rebel States? When the
Representatives of the government disregard the
Constitution, trample its obligations, guarantees
and restraints under foot, may we not expect the
example will be followed and for opposite pur-
posesl When the Administration fails to protect
the rights and liberties of the people, but in fact
becomes the oppressor Of the citizen. may we not
expect that the people will organize for their own
security and safety2 Can it be expected that ar
bitrary arrests continue without some effort
being made for the protection of the citizen from