Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-09-20

The Constitution of the United States was
agreed upon in convention and ratified ~ the
peoole OF the several States in "A spirit of com
promise concession and conciliation; and as long
as il MAS administered in the spirit IN which il
was made. we we're = happy, prosperous and
united people. The Constitution is the legal
bond tha. unites and holds together the States OF
the American Union. The people OF the several
States aud different sections we're united by sym
patty, brotherly love and interest. The people
have, from the organization OF the Government.
been divided into political parties but all of these
parties have been until recently. national in their
organizations and principles; all of them have
respected and obeyed the Constitution. loved the
Union. and protected the rights of each State
and each individual in the several States, md
differed only as to the best means of advancing
the interest, prosperity. glory and happiness Of
the whole people.
IL is rue that we have had few NAL contents,
a few crazy fanatics, who have made on the
Constitution, denounced the Union, aud attempt
ed to stir UP strife, hatred and discomfort between
the people Of different sections, but they were so
few in number, and 50 destitute o.: influence and
power that they attracted very little attention
and created very slight alarm for the safety aud
unity Of the Government. They organized them
a
ed the name of Abolitionists,' and they con
linued to keep up their party organization, hold
conventions, make platforms full OF treason to
the Constitution and Union, and nominate cand-
dates for the Presidency, but they and their doc
trines were despised and denounced by the Wing
and Democratic parties. They increased IL
numbers influence and power, and upon the dis
ruption of the old Wing party, union was form
ed between them and portion OF that old ma
tional party. They met in national convention
in Philadelphia, in 1856, and organized section
al party, adopted sectional platform, and nom
mated sectional candidates for the Presidency and
Vice Presidency Henry S Lane, an old CLAY
Wing. OF Indiana. was President Of the conven
ton. and Joshua r. Giddings. lifelong Aboli-
ZIONIST, was Chairman Of the Committee on Res
olutions and reported the platform. This was
the beginning Oh all our national troubles. The
ultimate success of this party has involved the
country in disunion and civil war. and we greatly
fear will result in the destruction of the Govern
ment aud the overthrow of constitutional liberty
The second resolution adopted BIZ this conven-
ton reads as follows:
Resolved, That with our Republican fathers
we hold it 10 be self-evident truth that all men
are endowed with the inalienable rights to life,
liberty. and the pursuit of happiness, and that
the primary object and Interior design of our
Federal Government were 10 secure these rights
10 all persons within its exclusive jurisdiction
and that, as our Republican fathers, when they
had abolished slavery in all our national terrific
~, ordained that no person should be deprived of
life, liberty or property without due process o..
law. il becomes our duty to maintain this pro-
vision OF the Constitution against all attempts to
violate il for the purpose OF establishing slavery
in any territory of the United States. by positive
legislation prohibiting its existence or extension
81. - h.. 49, 81
gress OF territorial Legislature, or of any indi-
vidual or association of individuals to give legal
existence slavery in any territory of the United
States. while the present Constitution shall be
maintained.
This resolution attempts, by forced and
natural construction OF the Declaration Of indie
pendeuce, 10 make il mean and include negroes
in the expression that all men are created
equal" The real purpose was TO assert and
maintain that negroes were entitled to and should
enjoy the same rights and privileges as white
men. This is the corner stone and main pillar
in the doctrine of the Republican party; and we
shall demonstrate that the present Administration
has by proclamations and legislation placed the
negro upon a social. political and legal equality
with the white race: and that il Is their purpose
to remove entirely the disabilities that have
heretofore been imposed on the negro race.
The conservative portion of the Wing party
was unwilling to be transferred TO the abolition
party, and forced TO act with men whose opinions
anu principles they held in adherence. This por
ton OF the Wing party met in National Conven-
tor. in Philadelphia. in 1856. and nominated
Fillmore and Do. elson. aud adopted platform,
the 9th resolution whereof reads a. follows:
The unqualified recognition and maintenance
of the reserved rights of the seversl States. and
the cultivation OF harmony and fraternaI good
will between the citizens of the several Sta:es
and to this end nOninteriereuce by Congress with.
questions appertaining solely 10 the individual
States. and nOrinteryention by each State with
the affairs of any other State
This resolution contains sound conservative
and Constitutional doctrine: and If il had been
adhered TO and carried out in good faith, We
would to-day be hsppy. prosperous snd peacea-
bic nation
The intelligence. virtue and patriotism of the
American people. defeated this attempt 10 invade
the rights OF the States and to create strife snd
hatred between the people OF one common conn
try; aud Fremon, and Dayton were defeated
This party again met in Va tonsl Convention
IN NAV. 1860. 81 Chicago. and nominated Lincoln
for President aud Hamin for Vice President
The platform i the same in many respects With
that of 1856
The Committee on resolutions attempted 10
get rid OF the negro equality resolution of 1856:
Out Mr.. u u mugs vas again 4 delegate 20 the
Convention, and offered 10 amend by inserting
his resolution of 1856. and made a speech IN
support OF his amendment rhe couclvsiou where
Of was in these words:
Now. propose 70 maintain the doctrine OF
the fathers | propose 70 MAINTAIN the funda
mental and primal issues upon which the Gov
eminent VA founded will detain tins Con
yeniion 90 longer offer thus becguss our party
hras founded upon IL IL erer Epoa II IL has
cristed upon u and rhsn vpa Ieare out chs trrt.
yoa lssre out the party
The amendment vas defeated and Mr.. Gid
dines put on his hat and walked out Of the Con
veution
Mr. Curtis. OF New York. offered the same
amendment. when /, Was adopted
Mr. t'iddings .hen returned TO the Convention
and was received with great demonstrations of
Os See history OF National Conventions OF
1850. by HalsteAd -. l36 and 1877.
This resolution had constituted q part o. the
patfoym OF the old Abolition party from 1899
sni ~hen lhey consented 10 change the name OF
theai party tcAbst OF ire Republican party. thew
did Tot give up their principles
NO person ptetends to deny that Jorhsa X i
Giddings was a sool-dyei abolitiOEiss he has
been such foe more than quarter Of a century