Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-05-23


to be oppressive and unjust There is a peaceful
mode Of revolution against such enactmeuis-
the ballot box-and there is no Justification for a
resort TO any other while that is lett free and un-
obstructed. But If the people are deprived by
force or fraud OF this high constitutional remedy,
then the hfst and paramount duty OF those who
are worthy to be FREQ is TO remove all obstacles
at all haz uds and restore the principles of re-
publican government. This our fathers did in the
Revolution. and this all people in all ages have
done who have achieved their liberties against
tyranss and usurpers. Is any one worthy TO be
an A merican freeman who doubts this PROPOSE
tion2 l candidly think not.
Much has been said on the subject of my course
towards the army in the field. 1t Is constantly
and vehemently urged that il has been unfriendly
to the soldier. This has mostly been done for
political purposes. and has not been believed by
those who assert IL; but | will allude to It as il
it was made sincerely and in good faith, for
many have been led. no doubt, to believe that
such is the fact. But, on the contrary, my whole
conduct. public and private. appears to me in a
far different light. I did not want this war. Did
any soldier now living or in his premature grave
want itf | thought, and still think, that by an
honorable compromise it could have been avoid
ed. and a million of lives been spared. Does
any soldier doubt it, with the testimony of D0u
glass and Crittenden ever before him2 | thought.
nv oAiAf Shfho VIA CoSCAot CbiCOACS WI OtttCI
restore the Union than war and war alone, Does
any soldier, in view Of the three last frightful
years, come to a different couclusion2 But /
have opposed and denounced many measures of
the present Administration. That is true. and in
whose interest have | done so? Tie soldier is
still a citizen, and desires and is entitled to all
the liberties of citizenship. In defending the cit.
zen, therefore. in all his rights aud franchises, l
have defended the soldier, and his children to
m ~ affa hsc, f.n- Tho -o.e- 81 -.
lawful power. The habeas corpus is as valuable
TO the soldier as TO any one else. l have defend
ed bis right 10 it when il was stricken down. A
free press, freedom of speech. aud freedom of re
ligion, are all inestimsble boons for him and his,
as we'll as well as for Others. | have Denounced
their invasion and the tyranny which has sup
pressed them.
Whatever enslaves the citizen enslaves the
soldier as well. In defending the rights of one |
have, therefore. defended the rights of all. The
soldier, too, owns property and pays taxes. In
exposing The plunderers, who have so mercilessly
preyed upon the treasury, | have been protecting
his inter est to the extent of my ability. 10 de-
nOuncing oppressive and sectional ~tixation, not
called for by the demands of honest public ex-
Denditure, | have eudeavored to shield him. his
vile, and his children from unjust and unendura-
BILE burdens. At the same time | have on all DC
casiOus voted for every measure conducive to bis
comfort and welfare. He has been paid and led
and clothed by nv vote, and | have stood ready
TO vote for any revenue measure which even its
own friends would dare to defend on the floor of
the House. 1t for this line of conduct | am to
be condemned by your sons and your brothers,
now in the field, l will be consoled by the re-
lection that it is not the work Oftheir own
honest brave hearts, but that the truth has not
been allowed 10 reach them, and that they have
been misled by The active partisan zeal of my
political adversaries. But / will anticipate no
such result On this point / confidently appeal
to time aud TO a cooler and calmer season than
the present. / feel in my own heart that | am
incapable OF deliberately wronging a human
being on earth, much less one who is undergo
ing The dangers and hardships of a soldier.
l have thus briefly alluded to the leading points
embraced within the scope OF my conduct as your
representative. i have done so, not because my
position was.jn doubt with you. but rather as a
retroSpec,ivedalk with near and cherished friends,
from whom | feel that | an in one sense about
to part. | might dwell longer and say more. but
| forbear. You will. however, pardon an allu-
sion which to me is a matter OF honest pride.
Almost. if not quite the youngest member of
the Congress to which l belong, supported by a
constituency whose warm and generous hearts
would renominate me without opposition, aud
re elect me without difficulty. | voluntarily. and
against the earnest remonstrance of kind friends
retire to private life-to the pusuit of my pro-
fession at The call of private duty, with not a
sigh or regret, save that it cOmpels me to say to
you. farewell. May the infinite goodness and
wisdom of the common Father of US all bless
and protect you and your children who are to
take your places, and speedily give peace, liber-
ty. and Union TO your unhappy country.
Your grateful friend and fellow citizen,
DANIEL W. VOORHEES,.