Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-01-23
POLITICAL SITUATION OF rHE uSIrEp srArs on
AMEnIrA

Translated from me Memorial Diplomaiique
The various demonstrations made by the Dem
ocrats and frends of peace IN the North have in
duced those who do not study American affairs
with attention 20 believe that the great re, olu-
ton which il devouring the republic Of Wash
ington will work it, own solution. and that both
North and South aghast at the ruins and heape1
up everywhere around them. at the sea OF blood
which their fatal dissensions still cause to how,
will at last become conscious OF the fact that
j. not an element OF union and casting aside their
arms will either become reconeilel by mutual
concessions or settle down IN peace. side by side.
free and independent States
The recent elections have DESTROYED this u
sion For the first time, might say. in a whole
year. public sentiment IN the Untei States has
assumed such a form a ~ enlble Us 70 under
stand it. psrport. We can clearly into
the plans of the Government and ascertain now
they are 10 be viewed by the peonl"
The idea has been h.the-. entertained that the
Democratic par'' desired peace. This error has
ueeh ST. ,stn,ned by the attacks which us or
.ans and OF made and are still m skns 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 to IL ut the fact which we have long since
known, that there - little difference eetweep
Democrats and Ridcals-as - the prophet Of
continuing the war.
In the ..,rst of the tempest Inch each day
carries of some elemeat of american liberty the
Democrats arc, - t-ae. the only persons who
protest NJ Inst ne usurpations OF government
AGAINST .te violence of military authority, and
r.-aiust the encroachments of the central power
upon that of the states, aud from this circum-
stance they are the only constitutional party in
the North; but they have not been able 10 resist
that blind devotion to the Union which induces
Americans to value il more thin liberty; they
have failed to- appreciate the spirit of that Con
stitntion of which they are the only and last de-
/ Tenders
/ Not one of the leaders OF the Democratic party
even of those who have been mpst energetic IN
their attacks upon the policy OF the Administra
! tion-not even Vallandigham or Governor Sey
mOHr has ever decar Il that he was IN favor OF
peace with the South At the price Of separation
Judge W oodward. who was the recent candidate
} for Governor of Pennsylvania; Mr. Nallandig
T ham, who aspired to the same post in Ohio Mr
Sew m0ur Governor OF the State OF New \ ork
and all the other heads OF the Democratic party
n are as strongly in favor of the Union a. Mr. Lin
coin The only difference between Radicals AM
Democrats, is that the former wish tor Unlor
through war; and that the latter wish to obtain j
by conciliation ii possible. and if not. by carry
ing on the war in regular and humane way II
accordance with the spirit OF the age.
! Union. Union, through fire aud sword OF
Union BY prayer and compromise, but Union al
any cost. Union, even at the price OF an ocear
of blood. at the price of public credit: Union, in
fact, at any price. that of liberty; such i:
the open. or secret thought of every American
of the North. be he Radical Peace Democrat
War Democrat, Copperhetd. or Old Line Wing
The insane desire for Union turns the heads o
|, all A prey % this hI!iucinati0n. the American,
90 not perceive that while they running afte
some detached portions of the Republic. those
which were still united begin 10 SeDarlte. and
Sc -.
many getms OF disunion, from which, instead o
two Conlederacics. three four will probably
arise.
National vanity has taken such hold upon the
I people ca tue North that it has destroyed their
moral sense. They sacrifice every thing to the
pride of being able to say that their power ex-
teads over half continent. and that they are
equal To any nation IN the world
Rather. say they, let our institutions and A
whole -euer atom perish. than renounce this elo-
rious idei, The Anglo Saxon Is cert sinly the nost
independent of all men. hut his pride l. greater
than his love of Independence, aud he would
| not hesitate u sacrifice liberty To vanity. One
OF the great men OF the French Revolution said
Let the Colonies perish sooner than = prin-
ciple y The Americans reverse the expression
AMI say: "Sloner let Liberty perish than lose
an inch of territory" IN their opinion the slor;-
Gus Union takes precedence OF everything
There i thea, in fact. little difference betwee.
, Radicals. they are all agreed uDOu this cIpita
point. that the independence of the South canno
be recognized. All want the Union. and il the,
differ 10 their plans for obtaining IL. il i he
cause their interests not identical. Tn,
possession OF power is the real point in dispute
between these two parties; the real anc
profound difference between them lies in tn,
fact that the one is in possession OF the Govern
ment which the other wishes TO control
Ii the Democrats asa TO have the Union re
stored by means of compromise, il is bee use th:
; j. the only way in which they can obtain power
The return of the Southern States to the Onior
would at once give the Democratic party IL
former superiority Ii Is evident that il thes,
States are induced by any combination. even b,
: subngation. TO send representatives, To Congo ss
those representatives would unite with the Dem
ocrauc party of the North. with them the,
have numerous points of contact, and who are
the only persons who have any sympathy will
them
The Dem lcrats. independently of the question
Of principles. which unfortunately have at thi.
time little weight IN tue Uuitel States have ever,
interest ia sustaining tie doctrine of State rht
and pre- ching cancellation toward the Cenleler
E ates. since ii the Southern States should be Ell
tirely crushed out lose their constitutions
rights their restoration 20 the Union As coaquere
provinces would not diminish the political influ
encc ct the radicals
Hence the watchwori of the Democratic party
2 is: The Union as il was. and the Constitution
E IL Is
The radicals take perfectly clear view of th'
situation They know thai the day which
the twenty six Seniors Of the South shall tax
taer seats At the Clpi.ol Nil be the day onfwhcl
thev viii cease govern the Union. ard tfe,
are referm' al tina that daY shall never come
We must hese admire the s>tuteneSs aud abiiif,
which they have prepared ani hrou shi tie revo
: luton To the point wAere IL now i A. the be
? ginning Of the war. when the North d. ore tnau
askel she restoFltipu Of tie L on the radical !.
! dii rot show any intention OF changing the insti
buttons If the republic IA any way: they shouted
L Mon and Constitution a. loudly did the Dem
0crats. Nov. however. that the Democrats hay,
separated from them AM crowdiag around
the Constitution. which they take A. their banner
they announce that instead o. the Union an
Constitution As they were. they wish for >trone
Union which shall cenGrAze IA itself AL poser
formerly he'll by the States. and that the rebe
States shall be held as territories
This machiavelian idea. which had already
been put forward in the United States Senate
where. In April. ls52. Mr. Sumner. Chairman o
the Committee on Foreg IN Affairs. adviser of th,
President, and one of the irmesi supporters 81
a.. tk.i.r