Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-08-26

stration the agents of the people have undertaken
10 become the masters OF the people.
ssThe Question of Cocrcion"-Robert
Dale owen and the Indiana polls
Journal.
On the 2Sth of November. 1860, there appear
Ell IN the indianapolis Journal letter from
RoskRr Dale ovsS upon 1.-The question Of co
ercion" II occupied the leading place in that
paper We have not room to reproduce il entire,
but make few extracts 70 show how decided
that gentleman vac at that time against the sub
jugation Of States or the policy OF attempting to
maintain the union of the States. As it had
existed. by force. Referring to the demands OF
South Carolina As a condition OF remaining in
the Union. Mr OwEs remarks:
II think thst the North on sober second
thought. will reflect that If the Constitution con
tsins certain clauses which crate on her feelings.
stIl IL i not only the supreme law of the land
but the best which the wit OF man has vet de-
yised Tor human government and, so rejecting
that she will repeal the obnoxious statutes in
question think, too, that she may sccede TO
other concessions. rs. an agreement that fugitive
slaves shall be paid for. in of non rendition
But feel that she never will. ~ am sure she
anywhere by Implication"
Then referring to the contingency that South
Carolina might secede. if her demands are not
complied with. Mr. OWN says:
I'VE hive the legal right. then, to coerce.
Bur all things I've are told on the highest au
thor'y.) which are lawful for us are not there
fore expedient.
Our fellow citizens, now the inhabitants of
he hal Ia do MIL fha int
tim. within its boundaries, of slavery. Ii We
bad been born to the same circumstances a. they
we should probably have thought AMI felt in
regard to slavery they do. IL Is equally nn-
christian aud unphilosophical in TO denounce
them criminals because they are Shareholders.
In 80 doing neither fair in principle or
guiltless OF having famed the flame Of sectional
hatred that RACES around Us now"
After counseling the exercise OF Christian
spirit in considering the then impending troubles
of the country. Mr.. OWEN thus argues:
violence breeds violence We may deter
mine. IN advance. when We are commencing tina.
IL shall ODly 20 to certain point, and no fur
Their But the dogs of war; once let slip. Escape
beyond our control We may call them back in
vain.
ny coercion what do propose ourselvesl
To convincef The srord nerer conuiaces; il
subjects Is 1t our purpose to subject. il We can
not convince our fellow citizens of South Caro-
Enar But Il Is utterly at pariance ruth the spirit
ofour Gortrnment 10 hare. ia aur midst. sub-
Jeets Kept loyal by force And it il was not South
Carol'n,. il she lack Judgment has spirit aud
courage; to- much spirit and too much courage
10 submit TO the degradation. A political creed
cannot. any more thsn a religious ole. be thrust
UPON brave men by force
ln certain eases numbers suffice to confer con
ssieration. When numbers combine for an un-
lawful object. the ofense clIsnges il character.
That which. IN six men. Is robbery becomes war
fare in sixty thousand The difference between
rebellion and revolution Lies chiefly in numbers.
Had Washington struck for liberty and indie
pendence al the heaa Of ffty followers only and
had h. and his men been CAPTURED. they might
without outraging civilization. have been hanged
ssre'es. Bot with WaShnc ton atthe head of
hfty ia ,usand. the British Government felt con
strained to regard their colonial prisoners as any
other captive~ taken in var: and allow them
the mercy. which. ia such cases, the Law of
nations pteScr.bss
Sister States discovered j. "a grave misfortune.
but sister States beiigerent would be a deadly
curse. The baptism of blood con
fers on pstional enmities a terrible perpetuity
What. then is TO be doneg Shall We
EMPLOY toward South Carolina urgency and en-
treaty. There is neither dignity use in en-
uesty beyond certain point. What remains ?
Let Us act toward her in tha; spirit which IS gen
tie and easy tn be entreatei: but If ire can not
eoHuiR-e her, LIT HER co ~ PEACE Thus going.
she may some day. did one of old. return to
the parental home In any event. We shall gain
an ally II We lose a sister"
Such the views expressed by RosIRr
Dale OWN. and thew were reiterated upon vari-
Gus occasions subsequently. in carefully consid.
cred and elaborate addresses
- 4. =
public policy. given in the letter from which
we have quoted. were endorsed by the Journal
the central organ Of the Republican party Of
Indiana. Be il remembered this was after the
election of Mr.. LINCOLN in LEGO. and when the
Republican party by the election of that year
we're soon to come into the possession of the
national Government Here ia Whist the Journal
said in approval OF the sentiments of Mr. OWEN:
1T will be seen that bis view is substantially
that urged by Us on several occasions. .
he maintains that though secession is uncOnst
tutlonal. II u be deliberately and unitedly resolved
uPon by State. fse dietof, Of Christian kindaess
no i'ss nan Of political tcisdOm IS 10 let her 20
peace 80 sGs re We do not coucede thar anv
State hss reached that point OF unanimity and
determination Which would MAKE coercion i'm.
possible Or improper IN the vies se maintaiu
though Mr.. Osea assumes that South Carolin.
has done 80, aui argues he case "a sn actual
Ins'etd Of Hypothetical e1icencv. But that
point teing conceded. snd the fact fully accepted
on all hands. that one Stale or more has calmly
and htediy resolved that she can not remain IN
the Union without injury or dishonor, state OF
Affairs Is cOnceis-i IN which coercion would be al
once eTHet and KxeLess. Cruel. because il would
splb 90 - rake an enemy of a State that might
oihers'-e prefer To remain friendly. though not
in the same family, and useless because
when accomplished. the Union j. Just IS eifectu
sliy broken a. Y the conquered State had left rs
We deem Il superaaous TO argue tina, a pOpulay
gosernmentcann never be preserv ed by force. The
&C. OF compuislon changes IL 10 despoti-m 30 far
~ the parties afflicted ty il are concerned Iii.
no 20, eminent 81 theirs any longer. and despot-
sm - simply government that the governed
don'tsre.te Consequently II ''cosrcion' IRE