Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1864-07-19

and the State of Indiana, and to faithfully >
perform the duties of the Office" I
Should be elected, the ceremony and
form by which am indicted into the office
will be no idle pageant to me, but the ofii-
cial oath, by which only could be qialifi-
ed to enter upon the discharge OF my ofti-
cial duties, would be looked to as indicating
the character of those duties.
Nor do / regard an oath to support the
Constitution of the United States as in any
manner in conflict with an oath to support
the Constitution of the State of Indiana.
1t was not SO regarded by the men who
framed our government. Each are soye-
reign within their proper sphere-the State
government first, and where its sovereignty
leaves off the sovereign power of the Fed
eral Government begins. The two form
one complete whole, like the various parts
of complex machine.
AS Executive of Indiana, should, at Ill
times, yield a most complete obedience to
every requirement Of the Federal Constitl-
tiOn and all the laws OF Congress made in
pursuance thereof. This is the first re-
quirement of the oath Of Office, and beyond
this neither duty nor patriotism would per-
NIT me to go. But, while doing this most
| willingly, would not forget my oath to
support the Constitution of the State OF liz
diana, and that high constitutional injunc-
tion to see that the laws of the State are
faithfully executed, and permit me to say
that, in my judgment, the great field of
Executive labor is comprised under this in
junction.
In seeing to it that the laws of the State
were faithfully executed, should take es-
pecial care that did not violate them my
SELF for he who is constant law-breaker,
under whatever plea, cannot be expected to
| enforce the laws against others.
| In looking to the enforcement of thelaws
| in the State, | would not fail to remember
that by the terms of the Federal Constitu-
| ton, the powers not delegated to the Uni
ted States by that instrument, nor prohib-
| tied by 1t to the States "were reserved to
the States respectively or to the people" l
| would also remember that among the rights
| guaranteed to the people of Indiana by our
| State Constitution, 'are the free interchange
of thought and opinion-the right to as
semble together in a peaceable manner and
consult for their common good" and to be
secure from illegal arrests, and their prop
erty from unreasonable search or seizure,
and that no one, claiming to act under Fed
eral authority, or under State authority,
could, with impunity, break down these
| guarantees.
Inasmuch as the State Government is di-
yided into three coordinate branches, of
which the Office of Governor forms the
head of one only, would not, under any
preteXt, attempt to invade any other, or
usurp its powers, as believe that our form
of Government can be preserved only by
| keeping up at all times, its proper checks
and balances. Therefore, desire this fact
to be distinctly understood now, and at all
times if there should be failure on the
part of the Legislative branch of the Gov
ernment to provide the necessary laws to
carry on the State Government within the
time fixed by the Constitution for the reg
ular session of that body, would not usurp
| the power to supply any omission of theirs,
but, acting under the constitutional author
ity to call them together in extra session, |
should hold them up to due performance
of their duties until they have furnished
the necessary laws, should it take the en-
tire two years to accomplish the task, or
until by other election the people had pro-
nounced against their unfaithful servants.
The great embarrassing question which at
this time presents itself to the people of
Indiana springs from the terrible and desc
lating civil war, which for more than three
years has been clothing our country in
mourning and wasting our energiesa as ma
ton.
Ishall never believe but what this great
calamity might have been avoided if one
tenth part of the forbearance exercised by
the trainers of this Government had been
INDUCED in by the party which came into
power by the election of Mr.. Lincoln, and
when think Of the terrible responsibility
which must at some time rest on the authors
of this great national crime, feel grateful
to be able to know that it does not rest on
me or those who are of the same political
faith with myself.
This administration entered upon this war
with united North and divided South, and
such has been its policy that in little more
than three years it has managed to divide
the northern sentiment, and the South has
been united as with welding heat. The
policy under which that administration is
conducting this war is day by day destroy
| Ing the chances of success. tnow address
es itself to the people of the South as war
of utter subjugation and annihilation, and
as such it must fail.
While stand opposed to the whole civil
policy of this administration as connected
with the conduct of this war, and abhor the
ideas that are constantly evolved by that
policy, | honor from the very depth of my
heart the soldier. "The free white Ameri-
can volunteer" who has responded to the
promptings of his patriotic impulses, and
freely shed his blood or laid down his life
to preserve his country from dissolution and
anarchy.
But the question has been frequently
asked me if was in favor of the vigorous
prosecution of this war?
| / now answer and say: To this war as
prosecuted under the ideas and policies of
the Abolition minority which rules the
present administration, | am utterly oppos-
ed. believe it is entailing upon the coun-
| try unmixed evil, and would be false to my
countrymen and my country If l did not
| say so.
On the sth day of January. 1862, the Dem
ocratic party of Indiana adopted this reso-
| luton:
40. That we will sustain, with all our
energies, a war for the maintenance of the
Constitution, and of the integrity of the
Union under the constitution; but we are
opposed to war for the emancipation OF
the negroes, or the subjugation ofthe south
ern States" t."
| This was the position of the party at that
time, and am not aware that 1t has made
any record to the contrary. At the same
time, am for peace at the earliest practi-
cable moment; but peace on the terms of
the restoration of the Union under the
Federal Constitution, with all its rights and
guarantees to the several States North and
South. ~ ,'!t iaI .VuJ 81 1915
This great purpose / am ready to pursue
by any means sanctioned by the Constitu-
tion; but in the attempt to consummate it,
will not tie myself down to any mans
dogmas OF the hour. SUI fDoiia' % ou
But, my friends, you will excuse me from
any further discussion at this time of the
questions Of the day, and in conclusion, let
me entreat you to continue to extend to me