Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-01-26
secre, Political Organizations.

secret Political Organizations.
Quite an interesting debate occurred in the
House yesterday, upon motion 10 appoint Sc
lect committee to investigate the rumors sfoai
of the existence of secret political organizations
having for their object the overthrow of the
Government. There cannot be sane man in the
State, unless exceedingly credulous or blinded
with partisan preiudices, who credit the exist
ence Of such associations for the purposes al
legged. The speeches of Messrs. BRowS, HAIR
NEY, ROBERTS, PACKARD, BusKTRK, PRIEST and
quent, and to the point. We regret that our
limited space will not allow US to give an ex-
tended sketch of their remarks. They were un-
willing TO impugn the loyalty of the people of
Indiana by even entertaining resolution which
called it in question. Neither was any good pur-
pose intended by proposing an investigation of
suci idle rumors.
The Governor processes to have the evidence
in his possession that order of the kind is or
ganized and in operation. with numbers sufficient
to excite apprehension on his part that its in
fluence will be power for evil, not only in In
diana, but in all the Northwestern States. If so,
let him communicate the facts to the Legsla.
ture, that it may have some justification for an
investigation as to the existence of such an
order, with such purposes. There are credible
rumors afoat that the Republicans are organ
izng secret societies in various parts of the State
and that the members being furnished with
arms. What can be the occasion aud what the
purpose of such organizations? Has the Cover
nor made any effort to ascertain the character,
numbers and objects of these Republican secret
clubsf Is he favoring a policy, the effect of
which will be to organize opposing secret clubs
throughout the State, to create factions among
the people. and which will result in bitter and
perhaps sanguinary feuds?
If the Governor and those in authority would
exercise their power and influence to protect the
citizen in all his constitutional rights; to secure
the liberty of the press. the freedom of speech.
and the purity of the balot-box, there will be no
apology or Justification for the people organizing
in any way for the protection of the rights and
privileges guaranteed by the organic law of the
State and the nation. But it does excite alarm
when arbitrary arrests are made and citizens are
dragged from home and imprisoned for political
reasons alone. and IL is sufficient cause for those
entertaining political sentiments obnoxious the
party in power to organize, so that they may
know each other and secure that protection to
themselves which it should be the first duty of
the representatives of the Government to fur
nsh. Ii any individual is guilty of treason in
Indiana he is amenable TO the civil law, ami the
civil authorities have the power to enforce
the mandates of the court and to nfct
the punishment due the crime But it cannot
be expected that the people witness the ar
rest OF their neighbors by irresponsible officers
without even the color of the law and upon the
afdavlts of irresponsible parties, without justi-
outrage. 1t is more than human, nay more
than Christian to permit such Infamous Outrages.
Hundreds have been arrested in this way and
cast into loatbsome prison cells where they have
languished for weeks and months and then re-
lieved without trial or even being informed of
the accusations against them. In free country
such arrests cannot be tolerated. The Bill of
Rights in the Constitution is but an idle mockery
it such things are permitted, and there can be no
holier or juster cause than to maintain those
rights inviolate to the humblest citizen in
any way they can be. II Governor MORTON
is ambitious for fame aud legislative thanks for
the faithful discharge of his trust, he can best
achieve it by maintaining the constitutional
rights and liberty of every citizen. This would
be fame worthy of the noblest and most ex-
alted ambition.