Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-02-02
Lawrence County Democratic Mass
Meeting.

The Democrats and conservative men held a
mass meeting at Bedford. Lawrence county, Ind.
on Saturday, the oath inst.
Although but short notice had been given, the
Courthouse crowded To OVERLOOKING, and a
great many could not effect an entrance Thos
Dixon, Esq was chosen President, and j NJ.
HarrOn Secretary.
On motion the following gentlemen were APP
pointed a committee on resolutions: Col. N. f
Malcu, Hon. Thomas r. Cobb. Judge A b.
carlton, Elisha Kusha and David Sheeks, Esqs.
The committee, after consultation, reported the
following resolutions, which we're unanimously
adopted:
We. the Democracy and conservative men OF
Lawrence county, in mass meeting assembled
adopt the following expression of our prin-
cpes and sentiments in regard to national and
State affairs:
1. We recognize the Federal Constitution as
the great bond of union, operating in It's appro
pirate sphere upon States and individuals alike.
Under its benehcent influence and faithful Oh
servance the American people for than
three quarters Of century have enjoyed the
blessings of liberty, law and order, and advanced
with unequaled rapidity in all the pathways of
national greatness and renOwn.
2 We denounce the assertion that slavery was
the cause of our present troubles as a libel upon
the trainers of our Constitution and repugnant to
the facts of our nations history. We ascIbe
them to the unh0ly ambition and wicked machi
nations Of citizens of the Eastern Atlantic States,
who sought for personal aggrandizement among
the ruins of constitutional and civil liberty.
3. The Democracy are ready now, as they
have ever been, to vindicate the honor and in
tegrity OF our country, and defend its COnsttu-
tim and its laws from whatever source the as
sault may come Under the solemn pledges of
she President and the present Congress that those
high aud holy purposes would guide them in the
conduct of the war, the Democracy rallied by
thousands and tens of thousands their country
flag, and attested their loyalty in many IA we'll
fought battle
A. The present efforts of the President and his
advisers TO give new character and direction to
the war. by diveTting il into one of su6jugation
and emancipation, cannot receive our moral sup
port We denounce il as unconstitutional, tyran
MED and unjust, and if persisted in, fatal to the
liberties and fortunes of the nation
D. We recognize in the President ''the Com
mander in Chief of the Army aud Navy of the
United States, and of the militia OF the
several States when called into the actual
service Of the United States and shall
oppose no obstacles to the exercise OF
his just and constitutional powers. We assert,
how,ve that he is not Commander in. Chief of
private citizens in loyal States and we denounce
act of Unconstitutional and arbitrary power,
the Proclamation of hIr. Lincoln, suspendiDg the
writ OF habeas corpus in those States. and author
izing the arrest and punishment of citizens by
military commission for Offenses unknown to the
laws.
6. We are uncOmpromisingly opposed 10 the
investment by the General Government OF "A sin
gle dollar in the purchase of slaves for the pur
pose ayowed by the President of the United
States.
T. That we regard the admission of Western
Virginia into the Union as a State, as bold and
deliberate violation Of the Constitution, and as
done for partisan purposes only.
B. That we are in favor of calling, at the ear
Hest practicable period, Convention of the sew
eral States, for the purpose of adopting such
measures, by amendments t. the Constitution or
otherwise. as shall restore the Union and secure
happiness and peace tn lgtoat the land.
! 9. We respectfully request our Legislature to