Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-08-25
For the State Sentinel.
"sender Unto Caesar the things that
are Caesar,s"-N0. I.
" the Editor OF IA DaiIu Senfinel

SIR: You and have long known each other
We have never agreed in our political opinions
We are perhaps, wide apart to day as ever
before. do not suppose that either is now so
foolish to think of converting the other to his
own views On the contrary. We have long since
agreed to disagree; and both stand by the agree
ment. We have co operated with parties SINH
larry opposed Your position, however has
been constantly different from mine. You have
conducted the leading journal of your party in
the State and have thereby been the organ of
that party, while have sustained no such rela-
ton to mine do not say that it has been so;
but it certainly would not be matter of surprise
10 any one to find that YOU have been more con
troled by the opinions OF your party, than one
situated as | have been in relation to mine, has
been by the opinions of his party. You must,
indeed, be something. more or less than man to
have entirely escaped such control. At the same
time your influence has been more widely and
cogenty felt. in modifying and moulding the
opinions of those whose organ you have been,
than any mere private citizen, differently related
to the public. can ever expect TO have his own.
In times like these, your position is one OF
great power great responsibility also. If
could ever experience emotion of envy to
ward any human being. il would be toward him
who in times of great public peril and excite
ment, had the privilege of addressing a vast
number of MS fellow citizens daily, upon the
dangers that surround them, and inspiring them
with the temperance, forbearance, and patient
fortitude and courage which is necessary to their
well being and happiness. | envy no man how
ever. Nor in this respect have | the least occa-
sion for, different our opinions are in rela-
ton TO the political topics of the day, you have
granted my request to be permitted to address
the public through your columns, upon the one
great subject of our times-the rights and duties
of citizens of the United States H. the present
critical state of our affairs. When | preferred
this request, l had no apprehension that it would
not be granted: for, in free government as long
as the foundation of liberty is not abandoned all
intelligent men must concur in tolerating inst
freedom of opinion and discussion to shose with
whom they differ in relation to public affairs
This freedom of opinion and speech is indeed
the breath OF life to all other freedom and
whenever it is denied to any people, their liber
ties have pershed They are already slaves
Il is not nv purpose, however, to discuss, in
this article the freedom of speech and of the
press, and the limits imposed By public morality
thereon. | reserve what have to say upon tina;
topic for future considerations and. on account
OF the exasperated state OF the public mind, re
verse the natural order of my subject-the rights
and duties of citizens; and proceed 10 consider,
in the first instance, the duties incident to Amer
lean citizenship in these periloas times
shall not discuss the duty Of the citizen Of a
free go, eminent to know the laws thereof The
present is an i'll time to teach first principles; and
| shall, therefore. assume that the people of In
diana possess that general knowledge of their
governments aad laws, always requisite TO the
yirtuOus performance OF their duties as citizens.
All writers on government agree that obedience
10 The lars Of ones country IS tbs first duty Of the
citizen Obedience implies a knowledge of the
laws obeyed on the part of him who renders it
With the ancient free States of Greece, il was
the citizens highest honor. his most enduring
glory. The poet Simondes in preparing the cpl
taph of LeJndas and those who fell with him al
Thermopylsp. could think of nothing so appro-
pirate and honorable to the immortal dead, "a
this
80. stranger tell ii at Laced.er zion, that u e
died here in defense Of her laws"
Without obedience government is impossible
In free countries, like ours, there can be no
reason urged for not Obeying the laws; for they
are made by the people-the very men who are
10 obey True. all the people do directly
agree 10 the passage Of every act of Congress, or
of the State Legislature But all do agree TO
the constitutions, ami TO the principle that the
constituted majority shall elect those who are en-
titled To make and execute the laws The ma
jorIty. in our country, Is king. subject neverthe
less 10 The restrictions imposed by the Constlu-
ton ANY line of policy adopted by those whom the
maority may from time 10 time choose 10 carry on
the government, and any law consttutionally
passed by them 10 effectuate that policy. must be
respected and obeyed by all citizens. To refuse
obedience is palpable breach of the faith which
every citizen pledges 10 every other in the origi-
nal adoption OF the Constitution, aud again in the
vote which be casts for or against the admins
tration All elections proceed on the principle