Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-06-01
WEEKLY SENTINEL.
Loyal Leagues in Convention.

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There are three Loyal Le1gues" orgauizedin
the State of New York. and they are all based
upon a prcfessed abnegation Of partisan senti-
ments and ~ mpathies. But it turns out that
each Of these Leagues are composed of cliques
who are ~ffvoring the claims Of a political friend
for The Presidency. On Tuesday last the INA
tional Loyal Leagues" as they are termed, met
IN convention in Utica. These associations are
in the interest Of Mr.. Secretary CHASE. On the
next day the so-called Union Leagues assem-
bled. 1t is said that they favor the interests
of Mr. Secretary SEWARD. There is still another
organization called the Lincoln Loyal Leagues"
It's corner stone Of principle is the furtherabce OF
the political fortunes of Honest Old Abe"
How different are the teachings and the prac-
tice of the Republicans. They profess to ignore
all party and partisan considerations and with
affected patriotism call upon the country to rally
round the old flag" ~forgetful of past political or
party affiliations. until the national authority and
the integrity Of the Union is restored We could
give them credit for unsel6sh patriotism. If their
practice corresponded with their professions.
But what do we sect Conventions
of National Loyal, or Union Leagues
are being held a year and a half in advance of a
Presidential election tn promote the interests of
Republican candidates for the Presidency. The
meetings Of these Leagues are pronounced to be
political movements" and they are heralded as
the opening of the presidential campaign of 1854.
A prominent New York journal states that these
movements are a contest between the CHASE and
SEWARD Republicans. and il is evident that they
have no other significance or purpose. No one
can read the proceedings of the Convention of
National Loyal Leaguers at Utica, on We'd
nesday last, without the conviction that il was a
mere ebulition of partisan feeling, with no other
purpose but to perpetuate party rule. What be :.
come of all the Republican professions of no par
tyism when partisan leagues are being organized
inside of the Republican party q advance the
claims or prospects of its prominent members for
political preferment7 To use the sentiment of
the Republican leaders. which has been ham,
mered out in every conceivable shane. is it not
better to find out first whether we have a country
and a Government, before We canvass the aspira-
lions of any man for the Presidency? The
rebellion yet shows too bold and defiant a
front for the party in power to discuss the
question of succession. Its management of the
war thus far has given it no claim to the conf
denee OF the country. With the control Of re-
sources such as no othe nation ever exhibited, and
Boosting OF its ability to suppress the rebellion
in sixty days, or in ninety days at the mos, the
party in power has permitted the civil war to as
sumo gigantic proportions, and after more than
two yelrs continuance il unable even TO gness at
its probable termination We have alluded to
the organic ltion of these political leagues to Illus
trate the pious frauds which our Republican
friends have p~raetised upon themselves and at
tempted to palm of upon the country. To-day
there is just rs active a canvass going on in re-
gard to the interests of the various Republican
a~spirants for the Presidency as ever preceded a
Presidential Ell sction at so curly a day, but il is
all under the assumed aud %unctious professions of
loyalty.
GERRET SMITH, an avOwed Abolitionist, made
a speech to The leagues. Little was expected from
such a source, but the sentiments he expressed
we're in striking contrast with the personal con
siderations which had induced the assembling Of
the Convention. We quote the substance of his
remarks:
He declared himself in favor of putting
down the rebellion. Some good men wanted the
COnsttut on amended; he was satisfied with il as
il is, ard wonl1 not have it changed in the least.
Some men think the country too large, and
would ike TO reduce its boundaries; bat he liked
II tall, snl would not have one rood taken away
not even South Carolina. He would also be in
favor of putting down the rebellion uncondition-
ally oven sf he knew that slavery would come
out stronger and more powerful than ever. His
Abolition friends will call him to task for that
remark: but he would put down the rebellion be-
cause il is wicked. Put that down, and the coun-
try, Constitution and the Union would take care
Of itself. He wanted no discussion over what
should be done with she Rebels or their slaves;
pm down the rebellion. REGARDLESS of that point.
de did not wantto near anything about war with
European nations; put down the rebellion, and
the country would take care of that
If such sentiments and a similar spirit had ami
mated the party in power. the rebellion would
have been nirped in the bud.
GeR.-SIcKLEs ina = letter to the Convention ex-
pressed the following sentiment, which is little in
harmony with the provisions of The conscript
law be says:
In all wars, whether sagel In the interest OF
humanity, or of ambition. the great reliance of
nations is upon The poor-those who have only a
home To lose and a country to save. Yet in a
republic. neither riches. nor office. nor social posi-
d1nsh0uii furnish aBy ground Tor exemption from
military service Every man not exempt for ac-
tual disability. who. by evasion or fraud. fails to
enter the ranks when drafted in time of war,
should be forever ineligible 10 anY post of honor,
or e~m0lument. and all his property escheated to
the State he dishOnors and would betray TO its
enemies.
But the sentiments Of both GERREr SIXTH and
Gen. SlcKLEs we're foreign to the objects of the as
senblsd National Loyal Leagues. They met not
TO consider the m assures necessary for the over
throw Of the rebellion and the preservation of
constitutional liberty but to advance the schemes
Of some political ~aspirant for the Presidency
The State Arsenal.
The Investigating Committee appointed by the