Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-01-19

/ its food gates were opened, the Administration
could not grasp its dimensions nor control its
sweep. Government was borne along by the cur
rent. and struggled as il best could with the re
sistless tide Few seemed able to comprehend lis
military or financial problems. Hence we are not
to sit in harsh judgment upon errors in conduct
policy.
But while We concede all these excuses for
mistakes, we are not to adopt errors. nor sanction
violation of principle. The same causes which
extenuate their faults in judgment, must make us
more vigilant guard against their influences.
Unusual dangers demand unusual vigilance.
ECONOMY AND INTEGRITY.
Economy ard integrity in the administration of
affairs are essential at all times they are vital in
periods of war Ii the power of the people to
sustain the expenses of war is broken down, il is
vain that we have sent our citizens into the field
and that they have shed their blood in unsupport-
ed efforts to save our country.
The opportunity which state of war gives TO
unprincipled men to prey upon the public Treas
ury, and the difficulty of checking their schemes,
must be borne in mind, when we judge the in
tegrity of our rulers But while these difficulties
should shield them from harsh Judgment, they
are additional reasons for vigilance and caution.
Ii is in the nature of war to creite powerful
financial and ambitious interests to prolong its
duration. IL is one of its chief dangers that it
builds up an active class who gain power and
we ,lth by the taxation imposed upon the labor
and property of the mass of citizens. This organ
lied class use the National Treasury TO support
schemes of plumber or ambition, and the taxes
wrung from the people thus made to prolong
the state of var anu military government The
power of our rulers to avert these influences must
be aided and strene theued by The most ample ex-
position OF financial affairs
Extravagance and corruption are violations Of the
faith pledged to the public creditors. The mOney
loaned to the National Treasury not brought
forward at time of peace and conf lence. but in
time of doubt and danger. These claims
held by the rich and poor. The amounts owned
by corporations represent the interest of women
and children. the aged and infrm. The right of
our soldiers to demand economy and integrity is
of the most sacred character Never in the his
tory of the world have armies of such numbers
been made up OF those who voluntarily left pros
porous pursuits and happy homes to suffer the
dam erS an privations of war. When defeat or
destruction of life by violence di.eise thnned
the ranks OF our armies, they promptly and freely
stepped forward TO the rescue of the cuuntry'S
flag. fearful crime will be done by those who
shall suffer national bankruptcy to tun into dust
and ashes the pensions and bOuntes thus gained
the cost of blood and health and exposure.
These pensions will in many cases be the
sole reliance of those thus made incapable of self
support.
IL is worse that Government should be over
turned by corruption than by violence vir
tuous people will regain their rights If torn
from them. but there is no hope for those who
suffer corruption to sap and rot away their free
dom.
LIMITATIONS OF POWER.
There are not only obligations resting upon
our people toward our authorities hut under our
political system there limitations betw cen the
departments OF the Government and between the
State and NATIONAL Governments, which must be
observed to secure the public safety At this
time these warning words of Washington have
peculiar significance:
''It is important likewise that the habits of
thinking in a free country should inspire caution
in those interested with its administration 10 con
fine themselves within their respective consttu-
tiOnal spheres, avoiding, in the exercise of the
powers of one department, to encroach upon the
other. The spirit of encroachment tends to con
solidate the power of all departments in one. and
thus to create. whatever the form OF government,
II real deSpotism. A just estimate of that love
OF power, and proneneSs to abuse il, which pre-
dominates in the human heart. is sufficient to sat
iSfy of the truth of this position
The Legislative, Executive and Judicial De
partmentS co ordinate 1t is equally treason
able TO resist the rghtiul authority of either. To
overthrow the power of either department is
Olution. Executive right, Executive power and
Judicial independence are alike sacred Disre
gard for the limits of State ami National iuris-
dictons, and the interference of one department
with the duties of another are not only opposed
To the genius and organization of our civil gov
ernment. but they have caused disaster in the
conduct of the
While the War Department sets aside the au
thOrity of the Judiciary, and overrdeS the laws
OF States, the Governors Of States meet to shape
the policy of the General Government, the
National Legislature appoints committees to in
teriere with the military conduct of The war. and
Senators combine TO dictate the Executive choice
OF constitutional advisers. The natural results
of meddling and intrigue have followed While
our agmies have gained victories in fields remote
from the Capital, within its influence the heroic
valor OF our soldiers and the skill of our Generals
are thwarted and parayzel.
STATE RIGHTS
Not only must the National Constitution be
held inviolate. but the rights of States must he
respected as-not less sacre,l. There differ
ences of opinion az to the dividing line between
Safe and National Jurisdictions, but there can
be none as to the existence OF such sepuate ju
risdictionS, each covering subjects of legislation
and jurisprudence essential Ia the public security
aud welfare. consolidated Government i'm this
vast country would destroy the essential home
rights and liberties of the people The sover
eighties of the States except as thev are limited
by the Constitution, never he given up
Without them our Government cannot stand Ii
made. and it can be changed. by State agency
This i shown by the following provisions of the
instrument itself:
The ratification of the conventions of nine
States shall be sulii :ient to the establishment of
this Constitution between the States 50 rdtifying
the same"
Again. three fourths OF the States can add to
or take away from the powers OF the 0ener Il
Government by demanding convention in which
amendments be proposed which. if ratified
by three -fourths of the States. become parts OF
the Constitution.
While they can thus take away add to its
power, the General Government can in no way
touch one right OF the States or invade their ju
rsdietion
The obligations which rest upon the States to
respect the Constitution. laws and authority OF
the General Government, also demand that. the
General Government shall show equal respect
for the rights aud constituted authorities of the
States.
To State legislation and authorities we look
for the good order of society," the security of life
and property, the protection OF our homes. and
all that Is nearest aud dearest TO Us. in the rela
tons, duties and actions Of life. IL is dangerous
and demoralizing TO show contempt for State
authorities and law IL undermines alike the
1 foundations of State and National Government
by breaking up the social system Ii home laws
are not respected, thsmore gsner. authority will
not De regarded.
Arbitrary ARRESTS
Our people have therefore viewed with alarm
practices and pretensiOns on the part OF officials
/ which violate every principle of good order. oil
civil liberty and Of constitutional law Ii Is