Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-02-15
The Hight 10 Criticise the Acts OF the
-Admiuis q affou-


-Administrat
The Administration party are unwilling that
the acts Of those who have the controi of the
government shall be submitted TO the erucible of
public sentiment The attempt is being made
by the party -in power to brand with dislosalty all
who have the manliness and Independence to
call in question the wisdom and sagacity of the
policy of those who have the control OF public
affairs. Since the commencement Of the civil
war in which the country is now engaged, hund-
reds, nay thousands oftrus and loyal citizens have
been imprisoned. OF compelled TO submit TO other
personal indignities. for other crime than
criticizing the acts of the Administration. When
the people of the American Colonies threw off
their allegiance to Great Britain, and declared
themselves free and independent. some Of the
abIest and pursst British statesmen boldly and
fearlessIY called in question the acts of GEORGE
the Third and his official advisers. In terms
strong and bitter they denounced their policy
towards the colonies, and they did so with
out their loyalty to their government
being called in question. They advoc-
ated peace" the Termination of hos
tilities," as the true policy of the British
Government, and neither the crown, the ministry
or the party supporting the policy then being
pursued towards the colonies by the representa-
tives of the Government, questioned either their
right to do so or the purity of the motives which
prompted them. To show the character of the
opposition to the war then waged against the
American colonies by the British Government,
we quote a few extracts from the speeches of
Lord CHATHAM, and commend the sentiments
he expressed to the careful consideration of the
party in power Said that great and good man
in a speech delivered in the House of Lords in
favor of ceasing hostilites against the colonies:
: I'VE have tried for unconditional submission
try what can be gained by unconditional redress.
II say this country has been the aggressor
You have made descents upon their coasts; you
have burned their towns. Dlundered their country,
made war upon the inhabitants, confscated their
property, prescribed and imprisoned their persons
do therefore affirm. my Lords, that instead Of
exacting unconditional submission from the colo
nies we should grant them unconditional redress.
We have injured them; we have endeavored to
enslave and Cypress them. UDon this ground,
my Lords, instead of chastisement they are enti-
tied to redress"
a Again he remarked in commenting upon the
contest between the colonies aud the crown:
"My Lords, need not look abroad for griey-
ances The grand capital mischief Il fixed at
home Il corrupts the very foundation of our
political existence aud preys upon the yitals Of
the State The Constitution has been grossly
violated The Constitution at this moment
stands violated. Until that would be healed.
until the grievance be redressed, t is In vain to
recommend union to Parliament, in vain to pro-
mote concord among the people.
"The Constitution has its political Bible by
which, II il be fairly consulted, every political
question may and ought to be determined Mag
ma Charta. The petition of rights and the bill of
rights form that code which call the Bible ofthe
English Constitution. Had some of His Majes
tvs unhappy predecessors trusted less to the
comments Of their ministers, had they been bet
Ger read in the text ITSELF the glorious revolution
would bave remained only possible in theory, and
would not now have existed upon record, for
midable example to their successors"
In his speech in opposition TO motion to ad
jourD, just after the news of BURGoYSE's de-
feat. Lord CHATHAM thus speaks OF the war
and the ministry. Nothing stronger has been
said Of our civil war:
Ten thousand brave men have fallen victims
to ignorance and rashness. The only army you
have IN America may, by this time, be no more.
This very nation remains no longer safe than its
enemies think proper to permit. do not augur
i'll. Events of most critical nature may TAX
place before our next meeting. Will your lord
ships. thea. in such state of things trust to the
guidance OF men who. in every step of this cruel,
this wieked pgr, from the very beginning, have
proved themselves ,oeak, ignorant and mis-
taken"
The noble sentiments expressed by Lord
CHATHAM have forcible adaptation the exist
ing state of public affairs, and the example he set
Of opposing what he regarded the unjust and IN
wise acts OF his government should animate every
friend of constitutional liberty at the present
time.