Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-12-29
DAILY SENTINEL.
RE UsIoS IL xusr BE PaEsERvEp.-IJAesso'
TUESDAY MORNING. DECEMBER %
Tne Lessons ef the seunders Of the
Government.

The dangers which the wise and patriotic men
who founded the Government feared might be-
fat IL. are now upon the country. They provided
every safeguard against these evils through con-
sutntionsl ensctments whch their sagseity could
anticipate and suggest. bu. they could not in every
Wy provide for the protection and security Of the
iitsrty Of the citizen when the Constitution which
vss designed for that eod would have no more
fosce or vitality with the administrators Of the
Gosetemsnt than the parchment upon which IL
wes written. One Of the most able and far
sesing sts,esrnea which the Revolution developed
VS. AIfxaxpER HAMLyoy. He not only stood
pre- eminent as civilian. but he attes'ed hrs pa
srihtism as soldier. HAMILTON was in favor Of
establishing strong central governments. and he
ial.ored earnestly 20 give that direction to the
ch-Ft of governueut which he took an active part
IN :frAming Although entertaining these con-
vction- and earnestly advocating them. guided
by the lessons of history. he clearly ioresaw and
PREDICTED that civil war. such ~ is nov being
~ased Tor the purpose Of coercing unwilling
Ststes 20 return TO their allegiance would IN all
human probability. result IN dissolution of the
Urion--the very disaster which the war is pro
fes,edly prosecuted 10 avert. Ia an article IN
the Feieralis,. referring TO this subject. he thus
gives expression TO nis opinions:
when the sword Is once drawn. the passions
of men observe no bounds ot moderation. The
Suggestions OF wounded pride. the in-tigations OF
irrtsted resentment, would be apt 10 carry the
States against which the arms oil the Union
we're extended, to any extremes necessary 10
svsuge the aifrout. or to avcid the Disgrace OF
submission The frs, war OF this kind would
probably terminate IN a dissolution OF the
Union ~
This vas written about three quarters Of a
century ago. and Il il had been said now. the
present troubles OF the country could not be more
torcibIy portrayed. The history of the war Illus
tratcs the ssgscity of the predictions Of HANlL
ros when the sword Is once drawn, sand he.
s.the passions OF men observe bounds OF mod
Grafton" Such is the experience OF the present
struggle Moderation diminished AS the war
progressed, aud to-day schemes OF su'Jugation
and extcrmination are entertained and advocated
which would have shocked the sensibilities OF the
nation at the be ginning. The war has progressed
near three years upon gigantic scale for the
avowed purpose of restoring the Union. aud II
the policy OF The purity in wagng it should be sue
ces,ful il you'd probably terminate in dissolution
of the Union. for il longer be called a
Union WHOM one part of it is pinned to the other
BY bsyoness. and held as sutjagated provinces
IL j. no longer a government of consent, but OF
fvrcs--uot Union composed of independent and
equal States. such as the Constitution designed
H. In abiding 20 the COERCION OF dissenting
States by the iorce OF arms, HAMILTON re-
marksd:
"A project OF this kind is little less romantic
th,n the monster sming spirit. which ~ attrou
tel To the isbulous heroes aud demi gods OF an
tiqusy
This was the opinion oil wise and patriotic mer
who had emerged from seven years war and
veil Understood the dangers To republican insti-
stitutions which an appeal to the sword woulC
develop.
IL would be wise IL the present Government
would heed the lessons of the Fathers OF TIT
Republic They clearly foresaw that when thos
To whom we're n,rusted the administration oi th
government, Left the moorings ofthe Constitution
disreyar,ied it, obligations aud permitted passion
TO control them. there would be but little hop
for the preserv alton OF the govern they estah
lished That condition OF affairs Is upon US an
unless there is speedy restoration TO the oil
paths. the fears that HAxILrcs expressed that tn
fret var Of this kind would probably terminal
in o dissolution of the Union. may become hts
tory The only hope of preserving Amerci
liberty and free institutions is in the people bein
once more guided bs the lessons OF wisdom an
ps,rio,ism iucaeated by the men who pledge
their lives. their fortunes and their sacred honor
to achieve them.