Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-04-14

upon which 20 establish one. They have vast
srmv an immense public de g. and an irrespon.i-
bic Executive. Ambtioas 70 retain power. he q
candidate for election. and A. Commander
IN Chief il j. charged whether true or false |
shall not undertake to decide that he has al
ready used the army IN the Florida expedition 10
advance hs chances Of success One Of tie
Generals he has decapitated (Cien Fremont). has
entered the held to dispute h~ claim 10 con-
unuance N power. and if the Chronicle OF this
city. the Presidents organ. j. correct in it,
siructons OF the suggestions OF the Nes York
Herald. speaking at Lieutenant General Grant
the question j. already mvoied whether he in
certain contingencies, AZ the head of tie army.
would not be justified in assuming the reins Of
government
The very idea upon which this war Is founded
coercion OF States leads to desroti-m To pre-
\ republican form of government under any
form OF constitution, under the prevalence OF the
doctrines now ia vogue. i clearly impossible
The convictions ofthe complete overthrow OF our
Government are A. unpleasant aud unwelc0me 10
me a. they any member Of this House
Would 70 God the ftcls we're such ! could cherish
other conyic;ions nav be denounced as dis
lOval and unpairiotc for entertaining them but il
will only be bv shallow fools and arrant knaves
who 90 not know or will not admit the difference
between recognizing fact aud creating lis exist
ance. A man may not desire TO die: but never
thele>s his belief will not alter the fact OF his
mortality. shall not IN these remarks, revive
the unpleasant ami acrimonious controversy, Of
who is responsible for the death and destruction
of the Republic do not see that any such
discussion DOW would be productive of good.
entertain clear and strong convictions upon that
point: convictions that | have no doubt will be
shared in 10y the impartial historian OF the future.
For the present. l. am willing to let the past, with
all its recolectionS, rest provided we can snatch
from the common ruin some of our relics OF free
dom
| do not share in the belief entertained b.,
many of my political friends on this floor and
elsewhere that any peace is attanable on the
basis of union and reconstruction. Ii the Dem
ocratic party were in power to day. ] have no
idea, and honesty comrelS me To declare il. that
they could restore the Union over thirty-iour
States Nv mind has undergone an entire
change that subject | believe there are but
two alternatives, aud these are: either an &C
know gment of the Independence of the South.
"a an independent nation, or their complete sub
JugauOn and determination "a people; aud of
these alternatives. prefer the former
Mr. Chairman. take little or no interest in
the discussion of the question which IN any of INV
political irlend~ would make an issue as 10 how
this war shall be prosecuted. its manner. and Oh
ect regard that worse than trfng with
the great question. | do not believe there can
be any prosecution of the war against "a sovereign
Stale under the Constitution. and do not be-
lieve that war SO carried can be prosecuted
To- render Ii proper, justihabe. exDeient.
An unconstitutional war can only be carried on
in "A unconstitutional manner. and prosecute
ii farther under the idea of the gentleman from
PENNSYLVANIA Mr. Stevens. AS a war wagei
against the Confederate States indepenpenl
nation tor the purpose OF conquest and sabluga
as he az mi ~ Al pp :
in truth and in fact doing, or 10 pretended war
for the preservation OF the Union. | am equally
opposed.
| vii. say further. Mr.. Chairman, that if thi.
war Is TO be still further prosecuted prefer that
it shall be done under the auspices OF those who
now conduct its management. as do not wish
the party with which am connec Ell to be in any
degree responsible Tor its results, which can not
be otherwise than disastrous aud suicidal. Let
the responsibility remain where il is until we can
have a change of policy instead OF men. il such
thing Is possible. Nothing could be more fatal
to the Democratic party than to seek TO come into
power pied Jed To a continuance OF a war policy
such policy would be libe upon its creed in
the past aud the ideas that lie the basis of al
free governments, and would lead TO its complete
generalization and ruin.
| believe the masses Of the Democratic party
for peace; that they would be placed in
false position if they should nominate a war can
dldate for the Presidency and seek To make the
issue upon the narrow basis of how the war
should be prosecuted For my own part, as
have already indicated, | fear that our old gov
eminent cannot be preserved even under the best
auspices and under any policy that may be now
adopted; yet desire to STE the Democratic party
with which | have always been connected, pre-
serve its consistency aud republican character
unshaken.