Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-04-06
1EMOCRA1c STATE MASS MEETING
AT
Wednesday. both of Way, 1868.

Cuuutlcos 10 moct RESPECTFULLY ANU COtutaif IA
vite their political friends, and all others who
sympathize in their views for the preservation of
our Government. to assemble in Mass Conven-
ton at INDIANAPOLIS, on
"wednesday, the goth day OF Way, next,
at 10 O'Clock, A. NJ, there to consider the ques-
tons which now agitate the public mind. and to
take such counsel together as will most certainly
secure the blessings Of LIBERTY, PEACE and
USIrY TO our distracted country.
In making this call, the Committee is not I'M
mindful that great and weighty reasons exist for
an assemblage of the people of Indiana at an
earlier day; but after a careful consideration of
all the circumstances involved, it is deemed best
to postpone the proposed Convention till after
seed time and planting. when those who ought
and will share in its deliberations shall have CON-
mitted to the earth that which will, under Gods
blessing. produce a harvest to those who toll.
The laboring thousands of our State have the
largest interest in all that concerns the nations
well being The Committee have, therefore.
fixed the meeting at a time when the implements
of husbandry can be laid aside for a few days,
without material detriment or Inconvenience to
the great agricultural interests Of the State.
When the Committee had before the pleasure
pfcalling an assemblage of the people to Indi-
annapolis, on the Goth day Of July, 1862, it was
responded 10 by an outpouring of the people such
as has never been equalled in this State. That
Convention was the harbinger Of hope to thou
sands. and citizens from every portion of Indiana
poured to the Capital. IL was a grand and i'm
posing manifestation that the popular mind was
aroused, for nothing short of deep and earnest
conviction thai public liberty was endangered,
could have brought together so vast a multitude.
The results Of that Convention were most au-
spicious. An overwhelming national victory was
the consequence in October. and Indiana, true
to her ancient faith. enrolled herself on the side
of the Union. the Constitution. Liberty and Law.
Her people sent into political exile a majority of
those who had disregarded their wishes, and re-
buked many who had tempered with the sacred
purpose Of restoring the Union as ii tcas. Let
the people again record their VOWS, that this high
and holy purpose shall be accomplished. and
that no other Union--none but the Union made
by WASHINGTON. MADISON, and their cotempo-
raries-shalI have a place in their affections.
We exhort you. fellow -countrymen. to come
together in the spirit of patriotic desire, and re
solve to put aside every sentiment but love for
the sacred principles of your Government. Come
up as one man, with your affections placed upon
the CONSTITUTIONS, and melted by a firm resolu-
ton that its great muniments Of Liberty shall
be preserved for yourselves and your posterity
forever. Claim all your rights under that Consti-
ution, but claim no more. Assume no obliga-
- auno M wn IN IA hut stand co-uo-1 iii, -
high prerogatives of that noblest of all titles,
American citizen" That is your surest defense.
In the language of General CARRIsGroS, Military
Commandant Of this District, in his late address
to the people of Indiana: t" The ballot boz and
open debate mark a free people. Trust them.
That which shuns the light of day should not
be endured by yoa Come out-abjure their
vows-reiect their tests. Whatever their name,
whatever your party. seek the old paths, and
work rs you once did, agreeing to disagree upon
questions of mere party polity, bat ever united in
support Of the Government and the nation"
These words reach the heart. and will be re-
echoed by the noble Democracy who have here
tofore fought and vanquishei the dark spirit
which broode1 over the Know Nothing Lodges of
Indiana. That secret political organization en-
deavored to entomb both personal and religious
liberty in one common grave. The leaders of
that dark conspiracy against your constitutional
rights, then. are at the head of the Leagues"
R0p formed to give new hopes to the Republican
party The bafied conspiratOrs of 1855. in their
attempts to overthrow the Constitution. are to-
day getting up Relc VOWS and tests against YOU
and your fellow citizens throughout the land.
They again invoke the =" spells and incantations' y
of the spirit OF Darkness; and. under the plea of
q loyalty " and Union, . are a second time
seeking to overthrow the constitutional liberties
OF he people. Their =. Leagues . are understood.
and their efforts will not succeed. The smell of
Know Nolhing intolerance is upon their gar
ments- IL Is the old faction under a new name.
But the Democratic party has no reed of such
helps Its principles do not <hun the light of
day. Their long cherished doctrines are the re-
corded teachings of the early Fathers, and while
the giUry shed by that record shall remain, we
claim no higher political salvation than that
which our Constitution confers upon the people.
That We will assert. 1t is your birth-right and
ours and come what may. we will defend it.
Let Us respect the Laws, and aid those in
authority to uphold them. Some of these
enaetments CRATE harshly upon tie ear of the
Nation. Under a wise Administration they would
have been unnecessary. Without proclamations
there would have been no need of conscriptions.
Let US look at things as they are. We lament.
but cannot avoid their effects. Gen. CARRfxeros
has eiOquentIy and truly said IN his address to the
people:
"Resistance TO the arrest CT d~eserters is an
other form OF resistance to law. aud n sure road
to anarchy and bloodshed. Law must be respected
until repealed Deny its policy, if YOU will. La
Dor Tor is repeal, if you will. But res stance is
madness, because IL Is your owl law-it is your
own peace and your own Government you
fhreaten--and when your turn comes to legislate
sou will have undermined your own rights; and
when anarchy rules, liberty dies" I.
"fhe coming spring elections, occurring at
a time OF unusual excitement, call for notice, as
false Impressions rrevail as 70 the duty or intent
Of the soldier. The soldier, AZ home. votes. as
does any other citizen If absent, he must be
content 70 leave his civil rights IN the charge Of
Others. When voting, he must 20 to his duty
unarmed, as does every good citizen. He is sworn
20 maintain law, and is the last man to interfere
with the rights Of Others; and the right Of the
people properly to express their will by the ballot
box IS saere.i and inviolabIe, and must be kept
so"
Most cordially do we adopt this language of