Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-02-29
FEB. 20, 1864.

'out upou the ocean sailing God only knows
where"
The manuscript Of the foregoing editorial was
read 10 me bv the editor which cordially ap-
proved and indorsed, as being eminently wise and
proper, and for the best interests Of our injured
and bleeding country
Under the foregoing circumstances, with many
others OF my Democratic fellow citizens, at
tended and cordially participated In the Union
State Convention Of the 18th Of June. 1862,
when and where the following declaration of
principle and purpose was unanimously adopted:
PLATFORM oE the UNION STATE CONVENTION.
WHEREAS, The National Government II en-
gagged In war waged against II by It's enemies
for the avowed purpose OF It's destruction and the
subversion Of our form of government; there
fore.
Resolped, That the present civil war was forced
upon the country by the disunionists In the
Southern States, who are now In rebellion against
the constitutional government: that IN the pres
ent national emergency, We. the people Of In
diana, In convention assembled. forgetting all
former political differences and recollccting only
our duty TO our country, do pledge ourselves 20
aid with men and money the vigorous prosecu.
ton Of the present war, which Is not being waged
on the part OF our government for the purpose Of
conquest. suhjugation. or the overthrowing or
interfering with the rights or established institu.
tions Of any OF the States, but TO suppress aud
put down wicked and causeless rebellion, dc.
fend and maintain the supremacy Of the Consti-
tuition. and to preserve the Union with all the
dignity equality and rights Of the several States
unimpared. and when these objects are fully nc
complshcd. and not before, we believe the war
ought 10 cease; and that we invite all who COIN
eide In these sentiments 20 unite with as in sup
pos f b, u, X this day nominated
ResoiUed, That we demand aud expect Of our
Executive and Legislative bodies, both State and
National, nm economical administration OF gov
ernmental affairs, and the punishment OF fraud
against the Government, as we'll as a fearless
discharge of their duties. tf
Following the wise and conservative action OF
the State Convention, the Union citizens OF Han
cock county we're convened in mass convention
at Greenfield. on the 2d day Of August. 1862. for
tho purpose OF nominating county ticket by
which convention the declaration OF the purpose
and object OF the war on the part Of the Govern
ment, ns defined and set forth by the State Con-
vention. were fully aud unequvocally reailirmei.
endorsed and approved BY this convention
was nominated n candidate for the State Legisla-
ture, and upon that platform | made my canvass,
and. with my associates, was triumphantly elect
ed While all other Democratic counties OF the
State increased their maiorities. under the de-
pressing influence Of the threatened departure by
the President, from the solemn pledges given 20
the country, by himself and his adherents by res
olutions In Congress and State and county con.
ventions, in the proposed issuing of his emanci.
patton proclamation, Hancock remsined true and
faithful to her pledges ] sincerely and honestly
believed then, and have had no cause to change
that opinion, that our success IN Hancock county
was mainly, if not wholly. due 10 the conserva.
tive sentiment expressed in the resolution last
above quoted; and the acceptance Of this princi-
pie, by myself, as the true policy Of our rulers,
continued TO hold me TO the Union movement,
and the ignoring Of mere party platforms and
organizations.
Time rolled on and the current Of events Tin
the Union organization) flowed strongly in favor
of the new policy Of the Administration. On the
18th day of February, 1864, a Union county mass
convention held to appoint delegates to a
coming State Convention, when the following
resoution.was introduced by Judge Goodng:
RESOLVED. That we>wil still continue 20 give
the Government Of the United States. through its
legitimRsly constituted authorities. our unhes
tatng and hearty support in its efforts TO sup
press the rebellion and conquer peace.
Having a desire TO hold sieadfast TO the end,
and to keep in view the principles and promises
Of the Union party. by and through which the
friends OF the Government had increased in mum.
bers and unanimity, but not disappearing the
sentiment sc the above resolution. l offered as
an amendment. the identical resolution of the
State Convention of the 18th Of June, 1862, and
reaffirmed at our County Convention Of tie
2d OF August following, in words as follows. to-
wit;
That the present civil war was forced upon
the country by the disunonsts in the Southern
States. who are now in rebellion against the con
stitutional government; that in the present Ma
tional emergency, we. the people of Hancock, in
convention assembled. forgetting all former po-
ltical differences, aud recolecting only our duty
to the whole country. do pledge ourselves to aid
with men and money the vigorous prosecution OF
the present war. which is not being waged upon
the part of our Government Tor the purpose OF
conquest. subjugation or the over:hrowing or in
terfering with the rights or established nstitu-
tions of the States. but TO suppress aud put down
wicked aud causeless rebellion. defend and
maintain the supremacy of the Constitution, and
to preserve the Unon with all the dignity. eqal-
tity and rights of the several States unimpaired
aud when these objects are fully accomplished
and not before, we believe the war ought 10
cease"
Strange as it may appear, the platform Of the
Union people OF Indiana. upon which We of Han
cock had done so much during the past two
years, was voted down in the house of its friends
by an almost unanimous vote, only three votes
being cast for its adoption on my motion. The
anmus of the meeting is better determined by
the character Of the speeches and their recep-
tion by the audience than by Judge Gooding':
resolution.
On the same day, at the capital of our State
the Unconditional Union Convention of Marion
county, losing sight of and forgetting the pledge:
of two short years ago adopted the following
radical resolutions:
Resolued, That we hold it to be of the highes
Importance that the cause of the war should not
survive the war; that slavery. our real foe. shall
not be allowed to remain in the field.
Resolped, That as long as anything of slavery
remains, the cause Of future antagonism remain,
within the Union 1t should. therefore, be SC
ordained and settled as never to return.
Resolved, That an amendment of the Constitution
to this end ought to be proposed and adopted be-
fore the return of the States in rebellion.
Thus the givings out of leading politicians
and the tone of The leading Administration pa
pers, during the past six months, has become Z
vital principle of the Union party, and the Wig
orous prosecution of the for the suppression
OF the rebellion has become of minor Importance
and the prosecution of the war for the freedom o
the negro and the overthrow of slavery the main
spring of action.
Ny record for the past three years is before th
people of Hancock county, aud upon it an
willing to stand have nothing to take back
nothing to amend. 1t is with the people TO con-
demn or approve as to them may seem best.
am proud of my course, and in coming years vii
refer to it with satisfaction. Approving and in
dorsing the sentiments OF the Criuenden resolu
ton. can do nothing else than follow them u
their legitimate end. and thus believing and feel
ing. / shall vote for no man. in the coming Stat
and national elections, where the principle is in
volved, who iudorses the present emancipation
policy of the Administration. Neither will
vote for or countenance any man for Office VIII
is or shas been rebel sympathizer
Finally the IInion marty LAYING abandoned tn