Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-09-17

/ and man has almost ceased Trade, like politics,
has in many instances become q miserable game,
, where cunning and deceit labor. too often win
effect. 10 overreach the simple hearted honest
man Social life. too, has been more or less per
| vaded and polluted by the same evil and seinsn
spirit. Religious meo have surrendered both
ktheir religion and morality when entering the po-
liiical arena: aud acted upon the weak and Wick
ed maxim. that all is fair IN politics. wicked
and viliainous open rebellion aud war against
our noble constitution aud glorious Tag are they
are not worse IN principle than election frauds DE
ioerately practced, or any Of the long catalogue
Of public yillanies TO which have already allu-
ded. They must cease, or free government must
perish The two wholly Incompatible with
each other
VIZ DESCEND LIKE ANCIENT ROME.
Are we not treading the same paths that con
Quoted ancient Rome to the despotism of the
Caesars. and to FINAL overthrow Like her We
began with the brightest examples OF public and
pnVste morality and virtue. and like her We nave,
IN both respects. suffered a dire eclipse. Listen
10 the glosing description which her own histo-
rion gives Of the virtue of her people, Gin the
brave days old"
Good morals. says Sallust we're cultivated in
The city and In the camp There was the great
est possible concord. and the levst possible ava
sriee- Justice and probity prevailed among the
chizens, not more from the influence OF the laws
than from natural inclination They displayed
animosity ,enmity and resentment only against the
enemy Citizens commended with citizens in moth
ing but honor. They were magnificent in their
religious services, frugal in their families, and
steady in their friendships. By these two virtues
-intrepdiiy III war and equality in peace-they
maintained themselves and their State OF the
exercise OF which virtues. consider these as the
greatest proofs: that in war punishment was more
frequently inflicted on those who attacked an en-
envy contrary to orders and when commanded 10
retreat retired too slowly from the contest, than
on those who had dared to desert their standards
or when pressed by the enemy TO abandon their
posts; and that, in peace. they governed more by
comforting benefits than by exciting terror; and
when they received an injury chose rather TO
pardon than TO revenge it,"
Such were the Romans while Rome was free
! Now listen to the same author describe the steps
, OF her progress from glory 10 disgrace from
= freedom TO slavery-fron the dominion OF the
: whole world, until she became the sport and con
tempt of the whole world:
a "But when, by perseverance and integrity, the
: Republic had increased in power; when mighty
! Princes had been vanquished in war; when bar
barous tribes and populous States had been re
duced to subsection, when Carthage, the rival of
4 ROme's dominion had been utterly detroyed and
sea and land lay everywhere open TO our sway,
n then fortune began to exercise her tyranny and
TO introduce universal innovation. To those who
had easily injured tolls, dangers, aud doubtful
and difficult circumstances, ease and wealth the
:. object of desire TO Others became a burden and
a trouble. At first the love of money became,
as it were, the source OF every evil. For averice
!. subverted honesty integrity and other honorable
e principles; and in their stead nculcated pride,
contempt OF religion, and general venaty. Am
q bition prompted many to become deceitful to
n keep one thing concealed in the breast, and an
other ready on the tongue; to estimate friendships
J. and enmities, not by their worth, but according
IT to interest; and to carry rather spec0us coun-
p tenance, than an honest heart These vices, al
l. first, advanced slowly and were sometimes re
n strained by correction but afterwards when their
Infection had spread, like pestilence. the State
= was entirely ruined, and the Government from
i" being the most equitable and praseworthy, be
Is came rapacious and insupportable"
b DUTY.
> Thus Sallust writes for our instruction Let
% US, finding the facts of history like those he
has given us concerning Rome, take warning
&c that we may avoid her fate. Let every man re
form himself, and labor for the reformation OF
e the State Let every man mark him who grows
rich in the service of his country while his coun
try grows poor by his service, and henceforth
! thrust him far of from every position of public
~ trust profit Hold in equal detestation him
who, being IN minority, refuses to stand at his
D post, resisting far he constitutionaly NAV
" whatever he conceives to be the wrongful acts oil
&c the majority. Brand all boilers as the enemies
= of popular government, and fix, if possible, a
> still deeper stigma upon him who, sooner than
trust the representatives of the people with an
a opportunity to supply their omissions in the ne
y cessary legislation OF the country, boldly usurps
~ functions and powers not conferred upon him by
y the Constitution and laws, and so far as in him
lies, transforms our government Of law, de.
signed for the common benefit of all the peo
4 pie, into one eff men, which he administers solely
Il for himself and the creatures who aid him in the
e subyersion of public law and liberty
N TUE ONE TERM POLICY
* Abraham Lincoln chosen President of the
Is United States at the November election in the
tie year 1860. He was inaugutated on the fourth
70 day OF the succeeding March. In his inaugural
speech he told the country that he had accepted
lie the platform of his party las n law" That
lie platform pledged him and the party to observe
rs the Zone term" principle 1t was then and long
re afterwards understood that ne was not to be a
t. candidate for re election and would not be. Bu
es iii violation Of this understanding, he is again
IL before the country. In his last annual message
{ he distinctly announced bis desire to be continued
in office; and from that time forward all of the
ut sinews OF the office holders of the country were
!! stretched to their utmost tension for the accom-
b. reasons for the desire on bis part, aud its graft
TO fcation by the Baltimore Convention:
:, |. The first was that given by Mr.. Seward or
al the occasion of one of his visits to his home al
hi Auburn, New York The Secretary said in sub
IN stance. that it was Mr.. Lncoln's right to admin
of lister the government over the whole country
ne and justice required that he should be placed in
re possession of his right The claims of the PEG
,y pie were nothing in view of the Secretary. The
: whole wrong of the rebellion consisted in its in
v Justice TO Mr.. Lincoln
i If this Is really the state of the case Mr. Lin
Is coin and those about him should have prosecuted
is the war with more skill and energy: should have
devoted less time to frivolous Jokes. and more to
" hard knocks and energetic and concentrated eff
e forts to subdue the rebellion In this way he
Or might have recovered his lost right of dominion
ne over the South II will not now be either crate
r fol OF graceful for him or his friends to complain
il of the people. should they place the powers oil
r. the Government IN the hands OF those who viii
n exert them for the recovery of their own sus
= pended right OF jurisdiction the States now
n IA rebellion against the Union Let Us at least
ri hope that the next Administration will not so far
e insult the people as to place their mere agent
Of their servant-beiore themselves from whom and
er for whom all the powers of the Government were
Id originally granted and still exist
,. 1t has been urged. in the next place. that Mr.
< Lincoln should be continued in Office until the
e end of the var because il commenced during bis