Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-04-12
to the Constitution.

Mr. HESDEIcKs made the folo~ing remarks in .
the Senate on Thursday, April 7th, in vndica-
tor Of the action Of the Democratic party in |
regard to the present difficulties of the country: 1
Mr.. President. as sad 10 the Senate yester-
day evening. do not intend to occupy the atten- 1
ton of the body but for few moments: and |
would not have been induced to say one word of
. political character except for the suggestions 4
made by the Senator from New Hampshire Dir. I
Hale IN his speech yesterday afternoon. He
took occasion. in arguing the subject before the 4
Senate, 10 make very grave charge against the
Administration of Mr. Buchanan and to say that 1
during that Administration the war commenced.
or AZ least eleven States were lost TO the Union /
SIR. / am extravagant admirer of Mt. Bu-
chsnan think he departed from the principles I
upon which he was elected President OF the United
States: and that departure brought great loss
upon tie Democratic party, and perhaps some
evil upon the country; but | am not willing in
the Senate TO hear so grave charge made against
him aud make no reply. when | think the charge
cannot be well maintained
Ia the hrst place the Senator was mistaken AS
90 the number of States that seeded during the
Administration OF Mr.. Buchanan. During the
last few months OF that Administration seven
States seceied: the States OF South Carolina.
Florida. Mississippi. Alabama. Georgia. Louisiana
and Texas. After the incoming of the present
Administration four more States seeded to wit:
Virginia, Tennessee, Arkansas and North Caro-
lima. There IL a very serious mistake made 10y
the Senator upon the question OF fact
But. although not making the charge directly,
he allowed IL To be Inferred from what he sad
that the administration of Mr.. Buchanan wa.
sponsble TO very considerable extent for the
commencement of hostties, | do not agree
with the Senator. What had the administration
of Mr.. Buchanan to do with the commencement
OF hostilitiesr Mr.. Holt and Mr. Stanton
both members OF bis Cabinet during the last
months OF that administrs alton, and one of them
is now a member OF the present Cabinet and the
other holds high office, and both are regarded
very potential in the present administration
But. sir. | claim for the Democratic party that it
did all that il could do To avoid the commence
that subject in detail. for il is well understood by
the Senate, except To call the atte1tiOn of the
Senator from New Hampshire To- the fact that
during the session of Congress Immediately pre-
ceiling the commencement of the present admin
istration. the Democrats in this body and in the
other House did all in their power to adjust the
differences between the North and the South,
and 20 avoid the calamitous war that has come
upon the country. Can the Senator from New
Hampshire say much for MS partyl
IL was stated by Senator Douglas in the pres
ence of the Senator, that ii the Republican party
OF this body. and OF the other branch Of Congress
would do much as the Democrats would do in
the way OF adjustment and compromise. there
nee,l be trouble-the conflict of the sections
Nigh. be avoided; anu the Senator did not deny
the allegation of that distinguished Senator. Ii
stands a. statement thDl undisputed in this
body. that IL the Republican portion otthe Senate.
and OF the House of Representatives had been
willing to do much the Democrats would
do. we could have adjusted the questions in dis
puie between the two sections. and have avoided
this cslamItous war. When the proposition OF
adjustment aud compromise came to a vote in
this body. believe every Democrat then occupy
Ing seat here voted for it. while every gentle
man IN this body belonging to the other party
voted against it, The same is substantially true
OF the history OF that proposition in the other
branch OF Congress
Then. sir. think the Senator cannot well say
that Dir. Buchanan's Administration or the Dem
ocratic party, 1t that time were responsible tor
the.iallure OF the efforts to adjust the questions
IA dispute between the TWO sections | will not
say thar the Sputh had cause tor the course they
pursued. Secession had not Justification IN the
tact that northern party succeeded and that a
sectional President had been elected. But will
the Senator deny that f sectional party had
not succeeded. and a sectional President had not
been elected. this trouble would not have come
upon the country? While do not justify the
Course that has been pursued by the South. hut
utterly condemn and reoudiate II, say that II
sectional policy had not been pursued on the
part o. the North. encouraged and participated
in on the part of the leaders IN the South. we
need not have had the pre>en, troubles, which
are so calamitous TO the country
The Senator also said that the Democrats wer,
INDUCING in the deusion that if their party could
succeed they might bring peace and prosperit,
again To the country. Sir, | do indulge such
hope, and think il not delu>ion. Ii i hop,
based upon the experience OF the past am no
ashamed of thst party ! believe the Senator
himself once did honor 10 that party BY advo-
eating lis principles and fighting tor Its organi
Eston. | may be mistaken, but think that va;
the case. 1 am not ashamed of the history oil
that party. Ii fought for the Constitution ane
the doctrines OF the fathers. lt resisted sec
tionsl organizations and the triumph ot sectional
sentiments. aud while that Democratic party
was IN power in this country We had no SectiODa
troubles that could not easily and speedily b.
adjusted.
The Senator referred to the few Democrat,
Senators in THIS body, and said that when the,
spoke II was like the voice of one CRYING IN tht
wilderness" | thank the Senator tor the Illus
tr.tiOn. That voice vas toe voice o: John tn,
Baptist. bis voice WAS - prepare the way of IN,
Lori ia the Wilderness. and To make straight 4
highway in the desert Ii il should be the for
time of the few Democrats who in this tod
and OF the Democrats IN The country a. prepare
ahghsay in which the people may again walk IL
prosperity and union and in harmony shall re
Joice IN such n result.
The Senator also referred 70 the taking of IN,
head OF Charles l. and he said that the Demo
Gratis might as well good-naturedly place ther
heads under The AZ aud let them fail The Sen
ator did not do well 10 depart from his irss hg-
ure. de ought To have stood by his first iustra
ton. John the Baptist. who raised his voice II
the wilderness. lost ms head. and dad not The
Senator adhere 10 that Il,ustralionl Whv wa.
he beheadedl Because John the BAPTIST de-
nounced incest ia the palace OF the king. VIII,
shall Democrats lose their heaGsi Because the,
dsnounce the evils OF the timesl Because the,
6enounce the corruption that u found IN higt
plaeesi Because they denounce the depart
ures from the Constitution and the teachings o
the fathersg O. what sin has the Democratb
party been guilty that IL should lose it, head
Has il not stood by the Constitution Has j
not appealed 10 the people 10 stand by IN,
teachings of the fsthersf Has il not fought To-
the institutions OF our country they are base,
upon the Constitution. the basis that orr father
established for themt Why. then, should ".
lo-e our headsl Az. If II il 10 CRAFTY kin!
upon the petition Of dancing cir IN his pres.nc.
let the head toe taken IL We have done Sin: but 4
We have but Tough, for The right, five have bu
coutended for the doctrines which have brouyh
such prosperity AID grestness 20 our country