Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-03-07


The Journal is exceedingly anxious to make
platform for the Democracy. ami. using its stere-
otype phrase, it charges "disloyalty" upon the
members generally of that organization. True
loyalty" it says, cannot mingle with disloyalty
in the same organization " What is "true loyal
ty'2 In republican government, can it be any
thing else but fidelity to the Consti,ution.-its
organic lawi We can conceive Of no other idea
of ..true loyalty but that Accepting that defn
tion of the term as the only just standard by
which the loyalty of the citizen or political or
ganization can be judged, we challenge the Re-
publican organ to fix the charge of disIoyalty
upon those who adhere to the Democratic party,
individually or collectively. FeaIty to the prin-
ciples or policy of party in power is no test of
patriotism, or loyalty to the government. IL it
was, there are but few of the prom
inent members Of the Republican, or
so-caIled Union" party. but may be justly
charged with "disloyalty" to the Government
The policy of the administrations under JACK
SON, VAN BUREs. Polk and BUCHANAN we're
most bitterly and violently denounced by the
leading members of the party now in power. If
to question the wisdom of the measures OF an
garded '.disloyalty" to the Government, who
in the Republican ranks is guilless of that crimel
The war with Mexico was pronounced unjust by
the men who now give direction to public affairs,
and this opposition gave "aid and comfort" to
the Mexicans; but who questioned the right of
tha thau t fraolv cauvous the
of the party in power? Was CHATHAM .'dis
loyal" to the British Government in denouDcing
the with the American Colonies as unwse
and unnecessary? Yet. according to the ReDub-
licun Interpretation of loyalty. CHATHAM should
have been regarded as traitor for standing by
the right and opposing policy which he wisely
foresaw was detrimental to the true. interests Of
his Government. Then, as now, il required
moral courage to stand by the right. That
great English statesman would have been false
to his Government if he had not boldly and
manfully. as he did, oppose the measures of the
Grown towards the American Colonies, although
in rebellion. The present Administration is in
tensely partisan. Its policy is partisan not only
in the conduct of the war but in all governmen.
tai measures. Can it be expected that those
who entertain opposite views MS to the best
means of preserving the Government and pro-
noting its welfare. should surrender their con-
victions at the bidding of their political oppo-
nents? In that only are the Democracy 'dis-
loyal" and they would have proved false to
principle and to their own manhood il they yield
ed their convictions of right and duty in this
hour of the nations peril
What the Journal denominates the "worn out
cries of abolticnism. Negro Equality, State
Rights" etc, are now practical issues. The
present troubles of the country the results of
fanatical abolitionism-the attempt to force
sectional policy regardless of the rights aud in
terests of the different sections But short
time ago the party now in power conceded that
the States had the exclusive control of slavery
within their limits-.'that slavery is local
and cannot exist without local laws" And
it only proposed to invoke the help of
Congress to prevent its extension into the ter
ritories. Now abolitionism seeks TO force
sectional policy upon not only the States in re
bellion. but also upon those loyal to the Gov
ernment. 1t goes beyond this. The policy is
to make the negro equal at least to the white
man so far as political rights apd privileges are
concerned. and many advocate amalg nation as
the best means of abolshing the distinction be
tween the races. We only refer to these facts
to show that what the Journal terms the
worn out cries of "abOtionsm" and "negro
equality" which the Republican party earnest
ly repudiated but a short time ago. have become
a part of its political creed. and they are
measures which cannot be regarded as any less
Objectionable now BY those who have always op-
posed them than heretofore.