Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-02-01
POLITICAL SITUATION or THE UNITED STATES OF
AMERICA.


rrrr ren.. AMERICA
Translated from the Memorial Dplomatique
The various demonstrations made BY the Dem
ocrats and friend. of peace in the North have in
duced those who do not study American affairs
with attention 10 believe that the great revolu-
ton which is devOuring the republic of Wash
ingtOn Will work ia own solution. and that both
North and South, aghast at the ruins and heaped
up everywhere around them, at the sea of blood
which their fatal dissensiOns still cause to flow,
will at last become conscious of the fact that war
is not an element Of union and casting aside their
arms will either become recOnciled by mutual
concessions or settle down in peace, side by side,
a. free and Independent States
The recent elections have destroyed this ilu-
sion. For the first time, we might say. in a whole
veir, public sentiment in the United States has
assumed such form as to enable US to under
stand its purport We can now see clearly into
the plans of the Government, and ascertain how
they are to be viewed by the people
The idea has been hitherto entertained that the
Democratic party desired peace This error has
been strengthened by the attacks which its or
gans and or ,tOrs made and are still making every
day upon the Federal Administration, and by the
general tone of hostility which pervades the
language of its leaders. The late elections,
while they show the weakness of the party, also
bring 70 light the fact which we have long since
known, that there is little difference between
continuing the war.
In the midst of the tempest which each day
carries of some element of American liberty, the
Democrats are, il is true. the OUly persons who
protest agsinSt the usurpa tons of government.
against the violence of military authority, and
against the encTOaehments of the central power
upon that of the states, and from this circum-
ssance they are the only constitutional party in
the North; but they hive not been able 60 resist
that blind devotion to the Union which induces
Americans to value il more than liberty; they
have failel to appreciate the spirit of that Con
stitntiOn OF which they are the only and last de-
fen,Iers
Not one Of the leaders of the Democratic party,
even of those who have been most energetic in
their ATTACKS upon the policy of the AdministrA
tinn-nOt even Vallandigham or Governor SeY-
mOHr has ever declar 3 that he was in favor Of
peice with the South Al the price of separation.
JUICE Wo2dward, who was the recent candidate
for Governor OF Pennsylvania; Mr.. Vallandig
ham, who aspired 10 the same pOst-in Ohio: Dir.
Seymour, Governor OF the State Of New York,
and al the other heads OF the Democratic party,
are as strongly in favor Of the Union rs Mr. Lin
coin The only difference between r ideals and
Democrats. IS that the former wish for Union
through var and thar the latter wish to obtain it
BY consultation. il possible. and. if not by curry
Ing on the war in a regular an1 humane way in
aecwhueewith the spirit OF the age. s7 - 80
Union. Union, through fire and sword, or
Uni IN By prayer and compromise, but Union at
any cost UniOu even at the prize o. ocean
of blood, at the price Of public credit; Union, in
fact at any price, even that of liberty; such is
the open, or secret thought of every American
Of the North, be he Rtdical. Peace Democrat.
War Democrat, COpperhead, or Old Line Wing
The insane desire for Union turns the heads of
all A prey this hallucinaton. the Americans
do not perceive that while they are running after
some detached portions of the Republic those
which were stin united begin 70 separate, and
that their attempts IN favor OF the Union are so
many germs Of disunion. from which. instead of
two C0ufederaciess THREE OF four will probably
arise. ~
National vanity has taken such hold upon the
people Of the North that il has destroyed their
moral sense. They sacrifice everything to the
pride Of being able 70 say that their power ex-
tends over half a continent, and that they are
equal To any nation in The world
-Rsther. say they. let Institutions and a
wbolc generation perish than renounce this glo-
rious ideal The Anglo S ixon is certainly the most
independent Of all men. but his pride is greater
than his love Of Independence. and he would
not hesitate 70 sacrifice liberty 10 vanity. One
Of the great men Of the French Revolution said:
Get the Colonies perish sooner than prin-
cple" The Americans reverse the EXPIRE sion
and say: Sooner let liberty perish thpn lose
an inch Of territory In their opinion the glori-
Gus Union takes precedence of everything.
There Is thea in fact little difference betw cen
the Democrats Of the North AMI the most extreme
ideals; they are al agreed upon this capital
poiat, that the Independence Of the South cannot
be recognized. All want the Union, and if thew
diher as to their plans for obtaining t. il is be-
cause their interests are not Identical. The
possession Of power IS the real point in dispute
between these two parties; the real and
profound difference between them lies in the
fact that the one Is in possession Of the Govern
ment which the othes wishes to control
If the Democrats ask 10 have the Union re
stored By meuIs Of compromise, it Is because this
istbe only way la which they obtsin power.
The return Of the Southern States to the onion
would Al once give the Democratic party lis
former superiority. IL is evident that II these
States are iuduced by any combinations. even by
subingadOn 10 send representatives, 70 Cong ess
those representatives would unite with the Dem
ocEaEse patty Of the North. with them they
haze. numerous points Of contact, and who. are
the ouly persons who have any sympathy with
them
The Dem ,crats. Independently OF the question
Of principles, which unfortunately have az this
time little weight ia The United States. have every
Interest in sustaining the doctrine Of State rights
add preachins Cancellation toward the Confeder
ates: since IL the Southern States should be en-
tirelg crushed out or lose their constitutional
righEs their restoration 70 the Union as conquered
provinces, would not diminish the political infiu
ence Of the radicals
Hence the watchword Of the Democratic party
10: The Union As il was, and the Constitution
as it IS"