Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-03-07

scented by senator Cobb, March },
Iss3.
Ma PREsiDENr: The COMMITTEES on Federal
Relations OF the Senate. 70 whom Vas referred
the proceedings OF the officers OF the 2Oth regi-
ment Indiana volunteers. held at Camp Pitcher,
Virginia, on the 18th Of February, 1868, the me
moral OF the 18Th regiment OF Indiana volun-
teers. yell a. the memorial and proceedings OF
the 9th. 18th. 18th. 22i, 29Ih, 34th. 32d. 37th,
29th 18th 10Th All. 44th. 5lst. 5T,h. 5sih. I'd
43d, 18th. 18th SD sch and l0lst regiments OF
Indiana volunteers. have had the same under con-
sideration. and having bestowed upon these pro
ceedings the respectful and earnest consideration
TO which they are entitled. have instructed me to
report the following general reply u the sus
ge,tiohs OF the gallant volunteers now IN the
field:
TO The Regiments nolr in the field from Indiana,
and 10 The officers and men rkO COMPOSE them:
FELLOW CITIZENS: We have received from
twenty five Indiana regiments, and from the 9th,
eth. 9Th and 10Th batteries OF artillery words of
counsel and advice IN the present imperied con
dItion of our beloved country. These words
we're borne to Us in the language OF true patriot
ism. and are accepted by the Senate of Indiana
with the respect which is due to gallant
men engaged in the service of their once
peaceful but now distracted country.
From no portion OF our fellow citizens could
these suggestions be more acceptable. But two
short years ago YOU in the midst of our peO-
pie, sharing, IN the various walks OF life the cares
and responsibilities of civil occupations and en-
Joying those endearments which make up the
sum of human happiness-iOr man, after all his
tolls, ha. nothing left to him but "wie children
and friends. the enjoyment OF home. and the
love OF Il Constitution anu Government which is
to descend to his possertv il Is To be hoped for
In il FIR fbr-p mn lfhar Rovopd
objects, in this world, there is nothing that chal-
lenges the constant and persistent effort of our
race. For these all contend in HES short ca
reer You are nov in the tented field and we
i'm the Legislative halls of our beloved State. each
endeavOrns oput down rebellion and preserve
a Constitulion-the one hated, the other adored.
That each effort may he successful, Is the pray er
of the ludmna Senate.
We fear. gentlemen that YOU have heard much
that untrue IN regard to the intentions OF the
General Assembly which convened at the Cap
itol the 6th day OF January last. You have
heart great deal that was untrue before that
time. For more than wear past there has been
a constant effort TO mIslead YOUR minds in
regard to the feelings of majority of the peO-
pie of Indiana and doubt not that il will be
continued. Their is object 10 be gained On
every account We should regret irs success be-
cause that would do more TO insure divided
coanses" which you 80 properly deprecate, than
any one thing else There should be strict Jus
tice metes out 20 All our people. for each and
every man in Indiana has the same interest in
restoring the authority of the Government and
bringing all the States back into one harmonious
Union. The humblest citizen and the proudeSt
in the land should have a common object in view
in keeping the States together. and he friend
of the nation VINO would divide up into factions
at time like this, by til se representations of the
aims and intentions of the great mass OF the peo-
pie of Indiana. The majority of this General
Assembly nave suffered much from the ingenious
accusations of p,rtisans in and out OF office: they
have torborie to repel these charges, thew de
served Tor the sake oi.quiet aud peace at home de
termued TO rely upon their 0cfionS the best and
most worthy defecse of themselves in YOUR eyes
and the ewes OF TIE great and patriotic people OF
your State We have remained comparatively
silent; and while the influences which surrounded
the Executive chamber of this Capital were used
to prejudice rhe majority. and To- make YOU be
leve that goa had enemies al home, We ana
those for whom we act had sealed their lips look
ing forward To the day when truth and not
fasehood would break in upon the land
The very money which the majority OF
the people had paid for YOUR comfort and ben
eft in the hospital aud in the sick room,
were turned into means OF ,etracton by
the agents paid oaf NJ that most sacred fund
These gents had access to you ana that privilege
was abused to Eoison the minds of the sons aud
brothers OF tb0so Wis, had Nv<ilies taxed fhen
selves for the comfort ut the soldier. You have
10 doubt seen those men in your mps aud YOU
have listened 10 the Tecitals of those DensiOned
patrot---Iensoneu out of the money which
Oughtto htvebeen appropriated for your exclusv g
benefit. al this has been horne in silence We
now thank YOU Tor the opportunity which has been
thus afforded To sec the true state of he facts be
fore our gallant army. We ask only to be heard
for the sake of truth.
We are accused OF encouraging plrtisanship
in regard to this war. Of which we are entirely
guiltless There has been resolution
passed. and none indorstd by either branch Of
the General Assembly which gives warrant or
color to such q charge There are mef>utes ct
policy adopted b] Congress and the President t.
which we have or will enter our so emn protest rs
the people Of Indiana have done ut the election
il October Men who nuke up and sustain the
Government, a. you, the people. and ourselves
do. have a right TO condemn such measures it,
in the exercise OF sound Judgment, we regard
them A. intended 10 diridc tie people in The rigor
Ous prosecution Of the 1car IL i fur the President
to adopt a war policy for The army in The tield and
il is the RICH. OF the peoples Repre- >eutatives in
Congress and in the local Legislatures, to adopt
such wise and prudent enactments in regard To
the ciru administration OF public affairs ~ will
most surely hiring all the States back into the
Union after the war is closed This power and
duty we chnm tor Congress and the local Legis.
atures, and, without the rghful and free exer-
else OF this power neither the soldiers ia the field
nor citizens at home would have institutions
worth fighting or contendiug for II the Presi-
dent do is he pleaSes. and there shall be H.
limit 10 his power. then popular elections are
farce AID State Governments nnllitv We
know YOU TOO well to believe thar YOU would ever
coil-eut To the establishment rl a doctrine -
sla,iSh The gallant sodierS would be the first
victims OF such ieSpotsm
The peonle amt the State Governments are
your own sunn. md sure defense against onpre>-
sion. now aud ne.tec5 hereafter. Give neither uf
al the bidding ct these who would degrade YOU
AMI your father. brothers. eishb0rs, aud fellow
citizens To the condition of seff> and the bondage
81 >liNes Negfher Inc soldiers OF the people are
prepared inr >U,h political humili.tion.
Let n look 20 the history OF our action here
and elsewhere ani lie ctuses which have led 10
the a~cewia1lcv OF the majority IN this Chamber
II was mafic-. before the adjournment Of Con
gre>S al me hi<t re- udr session. that the Whole
policy al rhe Administration m conducting the
war tad been cirlIgei and that new and >tfrtina
measures we're in,u.uratei At Washington Thi.
created VIE spre.d alarm amongst the people IN
oil the free Slaie. and aroused sentiment which
demtnded the COW alton OF "A Mass Convention
OF conservative and loyal citizens at Indianap
oil That Convention was held on the 30th day
ofJuly. 1862 II was called Ia give uttersncs
70 IL sentiments In regard H. the measures T.
which Ne have alluded We cannot better define
the position Of tho m tioriy of this Senate and the