Evansville daily journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1863-1866, 1863-12-23

I
ion and that they are incompetent for
ne work they set out to perform.
But we wish to cite yet further evil
lence as to the position the Democracy T
viii occupy in the next Presidential race.
Mr.. Edgerton, of this State, recently in
into the House of Representa-
ives Preamble and Resolution, which |
was supported by the, united strength of
The Democrats in the House The Pre-
amble sets forth that the various Procla-
nations of the President have had ten
dency TO re-invigorate the otherwise de-
Ginning instruction in the South, and to
prolong the war; and that the House re-
gards, with anxiety, the extraordinary
claims and assumptions of the President
in the said Proclamations; and then re-
solves as follows:
"ResOlUed, AS the Judgment of this
House, that the maintenance inviolate
of the constitutional powers of Congress
and the rights of the States, and espe-
cially the right of each State to order and
control its Judgment exclusively, as es-
sential to the balance Of power on whieh
the perfection and endurance of our po-
ltical fabric of the Federal Union de-
ponds; and we denounce, as among the
gravest of crimes, the invasion or occu-
patton by an armed force, of any State,
under the pretext or the purpose of CO.
ercing the people thereof to modify or
abrogate any of their laws or domestic
institutions that are consistent with the
Constitution of the United States; and
we affirm the principles declared in this
resolution to be a law alike to the Presi-
dent and to the people of the United
States. ~
The resolution is little muddy as
published in the Sentinel from which
paper We copy it. Its ambiguity, how
ever, renders it none the less acceptable
as Democratic doctrine The resolution
embodies the old notion of State Rights
as taught by Calhoun, yet was endorsed
in the House of Representatives by the
vote OF every Democratic member. No
State is to be occupied by an armed
force to compel the people thereof to
modify or abrogate any lasOs or domestic
Institutions that are consistent with the
Constitution of the United States But
whois to determine whether objectiona-
BILE laws or institutions are consistent
with the Constitution The States, Oh
the general Government? Here Mr.
Edgerton's resolution is lamentably
lame. Either construction can be Civ
en- it, and that was what he intended
when he offered it. 1t was the usua
trick of a pettifogging politician. w
say every Democratic member of thu
House endorsed this resolution. 1t, how
ever, was voted down, as it should have
been.
Gen. Green Clay Smith, of Kentucky
also introduced series of resolution
bearing on this question. The first on
reads as follows:
ResoEped, That as our country, AM
the very existence of the best govern
ment ever Instituted among men, is i'm
periled by the most immoral, causeles
and wicked rebellion that the world ha
ever seen; and believing, as we do, tina
the only hope of saving this country an
preserving the Government is by tn
power of the sword, we are for the mos
vigorous prosecution of the war, unit
the Constitution and laws shall be er
United States, and, Il to that e a, Of tb
pose any armistice, or intervention G
mediation, or proposition of peace, fror
any quarter, so long as there shall b
found rebel in arms against the GO
eminent. And we ignore all part
names, lines and issues, and recogniz
but two parties in this war, viz: patriot
and traitors"
Mr.. Cravens of Indiana promptly mo
ed to lay this resolution on the table.
didn't correspond with his ideas of D
mocracy. Its patriotic ring grated hars
ly on his ear 1t was too positive, ear
est and emphatic. Like its author, it
easily understood and no two constru
tons can be placed upon its meanin
Now, if the Democrats are in favor of
vigorous prosecutionsof the war, this re
olution, it seems to us, ought to ha
met their approval. If they are oppo
ed to the war and are in favor of CO
Guiding peace upon such terms as the s
called Confederacy is willing to conced
! ofcourse they would vote aginst it. We
how did. they vote Every Democratic me
Der Of the House UOted to lay the reso
6 ton on the table They are not in favor
vigorous prosecution of the war I'm
the Constitution and Laws shall be
forced and obeyed in all parts of
d United States. y They are not "opp
IL ed to any armistice or Intervention
y mediation or proposition for peace frc
s any quarter SO long as there shall
9 found rebel in arms against the g
D eminent" In other words, they are
n peace at any price-at any sacrifice
y thought be at the expense of the hon
y dignity, and perpetuity of the Cover
4 ment.
d The platform upon which Mr.. Y
e landigham was run for Governor
e, Ohio is less exceptionable than tn,
l. principles Democratic Congressman g
is sustaining by their votes.
o Thus,we see that the positions assum,
e and the leaders that are chosen,
w Democratic Congressman indicate Il
8 the controversy next year will hin
D, upon the abandonment or prosecution
the war. How shall we obtain peace,
e the great and absorbing question.
!. accepting such terms as the rebels m
d, offer, say the Democracy By comp,
va inc them to submit tn the Constituti