Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-04-06

Now any one who dares to question the wis
dom of the policy of the Executive, or to diff
fer with the party IN power, is denounced by the
~partisans of the Administration and the 'higher
law as ~disloyal. and stigmetized as a traitor.
II other means are suggested as adjuncts to be
used in aid Of the military force. the suggestor
is charged with being a Copperhead and a sym
~pathizer with rebellion. To such as indulge in
this cheap slang. we commend the following ex-
tract from a speech made during the Mexican
war by Mr.. AsBMUY, of Massachusetts, and who
was President of the Chicago Convention in
1860, which nominated Mr.. LINCOLN for the Pres
idency. Mr.. AsHMuN said:
shall not be deferred from a discussion of the
subject here, and at this time. by the miserable
cry of those whose duty and profit it is to yield a
ready subservience to power, that the present is
not the proper time to make this inquiry; that we
should wait until the war is over before we should
presume to investigate the conduct of the Execu
tive. Sir, il is never too soon for a people who
desire to remain free to scrutinize the conduct of
those who are in power. The time may come
when it may be too ate-fatally too late. But
it can never be too soon. Eternal vigilance, tire
less and ~sleepless, IS necessary to watch and
guard against the insidious encroacbment of
NlOCC III NAA AO WV aAAZ0i Ills
with the reflection that men in power are pre-
sumcd to do right. adopts the doctrine Of a des
po:ism. And he who sees an Executive usurp
ing to himself unauthorized military power, and
fails to proclaim and denouuce it, is as false to
his duty, as much a traitor to his country, as the
man who deserts to the enemy's standard on the
field of battle.
Can it be possible that, in a government like
ours. war may be waged, and the people may not
ssk, wherefore2 That armies may be levied,
the heart of a neighboring Republic be invaded,
expeditions OF foreign conquest under the lead of
questionable characters set on foot-millions of
dollars expended, the blood of our gallant SOL
diers poured out-and that our mouths are to be
sealed as to the causes, or necessities. which have
produced such resultsf Sir. l acknowledge no
such slavish doctrine. Scorn. contempt. and ut
ter loathing are all they deserve. They belong
rightiully to the lips of those who live by the
thrift which follows fawning-those of our num-
Der who have been the humble applicants for the
Brigadierships. the Paymasterships, and other
crumbs which fall from tie Executive table; and
whose patriotism is valorous ard loud mouthed in
proportion to their chance for getting office and
emolument But | hold that we should be false
to our trust as representatives, If we fail to hold
to strict accountability those who are temporarily
administering the executive departments of the
government. Those men are not the Govern
ment. They are not the country. They are,
1Or 4 Drief perlOn, Tile tnStrume nus Tor conducting
the affairs of the Government and the country.
The power oftbe people is only partially delega-
ted for special purposes. How absurd and pre-
posterous, then, is the clamor that. when we ven
ture to censure those agents of the people, we are
arraying ourselves against our country
Again Mr.. AsHMUS said:
1t is for such a war, leading to such conse-
quences, that we are now. in our character as
representatives, called upon to vote supplies,
treasure and human life; millions of dollars and
thousands of men are demanded of us To be ex
pended to accomplish srch a result. Aud we are
told that, without scruple. without complaint, it
is our duty to grant this demand. We are told
that now. after the war has been begun, the Ex-
ecutive is charged with full power over its con
duct aud end. and that Gur duty. as good patri
OTIS. is to yield to his request. and keep silent as
to his usurpations. Sir, | hold no such slavish
doctrine | deem it nv duty to resist and de
nounce it. whenever and however attempted to
be enforced.
Was Mr.. AsHMUS a Copperhead or traitor du
ring the war with Mexico? We put the question
to the advocates of the "higher law"