Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-04-18
Amendments to the Constitution.

Mr.. HESDEIcKs made the following remarks in
the Senate on Thursday, April 7th, in vindca-
ton of the action of the Democratic party in
regard TO the present difficulties of the country:
Mr. President, as said to the Senate yester-
day evening, do not intend TO occupy the atten-
ton of the body but for few moments; and
would not have been induced to say one word of
a political character except for the suggestions
made by the Senator from New Hampshire Mr.
Halel IN his speech yesterday afternoon lie
took occasion. IN arguing the subject before the
Senate, 10 make very grave charge against the
Administration OF Mr. Buchanan, and to say that
during that Administration the war commenced,
or az least eleven States were lost to the Union.
Sir, / am extravagant admrer of Mr.. Bu-
chanan. | think he departed from the principles
upon which he was elected President OF the United
States; and that departure brought great loss
upon the Democratic party, and perhaps some
evil upon the country: but | not willing in
the Senate TO hear so grave charge made against
him and make no reply, when think the charge
cannot be well maintained.
In the first place the Senator was mistaken as
to the number of States that seeded during the
Administration of Mr.. Buchanan. During the
last few months of that Administration seven
States seeded: the States OF South Carolina,
Florida, Mississippi, Alaba ma, GeorRia. Louisiana
and Texas. After the incoming of the present
Administration four more States seeded, to- wit:
Virginia, Tennessee, Arkansas and North Caro-
lima There is a very serious mistake made by
the Senator upon the question of fact.
But, although not making the charge directly,
he allowed It 10 be inferred from what he said
that the administration of Mr.. Buchanan was re-
sponsible to a very considerable extent for the
commencement Of hOstilities, 1 do not agree
with the Senator. What had the administration
of Mr.. Buchanan to do with the commencement
OF hOstiIitiesl Mr.. Holt and Mr.. Stanton were
both members of his Cabinet during the last
months OF that administration, and one of them
is now member Of the present Cabinet and the
other holds high Office, aud both regarded
as very potential in the present administration.
But sir, | claim for the Democratic party that it
did all that 1t could do to avoid the commence
meut of these hostilites. ] shall not go over
that subject in detail for il is well understood by
the Senate, except to call the atte9tioR Of the
Senator from New Hampshire to the fact that
during the session of Congress Immediately pre-
Getting the commencement of the present admin
is;ration. 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 To avoid the calamitous war that has come
upon the country. Can the Senator from New
Hampshire say much for his party?
IL was stated BY Senator Douglas in the pres
ence of the Senator, that IL the Republican party
of this body, and of the other branch of Congress
would do much the Democrats would do in
the way OF adus,mens and compromise, there
need be no trOUble-the conflict of the sections
might be avoided; aud the Senator did not deny
the allegation OF that distinguished Senator. 1t
stands As a statement then undispuied in this
body, that If the RepU bican portion OF the Senate
and of the House Of Representatives, had been
willing to do as much as the Democrats would
do, we could have adjusted the questions in dis
pute between the two sections, and have avoided
this calamliOus war. When the proposition of
adjustment and compromise came to a vote in
this body, believe every Democrat then occupy
ing seat here voted for it, while every gentle
mxs.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 saw
that Dir. Buchanans Administration OF the Dem
Ocratie party, at that tine were responsible for
the failure of the efforts adjust the questions
in dispute between the two sections / will not
say that the South had cause for the course thew
pursued. Seeesslon had not justification IN the
fact that northern party succeeded and that a
sectional President had been elected. But will
the Senator deny that if a sectional party had
not succeeded. and a sectional President had not
been elected, this trouble would not have come
upon the couRlryz While do not Justify the
course that has been pursued BY the South but
ublcil1 tOu0tuu alu Ecyuuidtc ltg lndt u Il
sectional policy had not been pursued the
part o. the North, encouraged and participated
in on the part of the leaders in the South, VIC
need not have had the present troubles, ahich
eslsmitOus 10 the country
The Senator also said that the Democrats were
induigng IN the delusiOu that il their party could
succeed they might bring peace and prosperity
again 70 the country. Sir, / do indulge suck a
hope, aud think it not delusiOn. IL is hope
based upon the experience OF the past. / am not
ashamed of that party. | believe the Senator
himself once did honor 20 that party by advO-
eating its principles and sighting for its organi
cation. may be mistaken, but think that wa:
the case. ] an not ashamed Of the history Of
that party. 1t fought FOR the Constitution anc
the doctrines OF the fathers. IL resisted sec
tion, Al organizations and the triumph Of section /.
sentiments. aud While that Democratic part,
Was 10 power in this country had uo sertiona
troubles that could not easily aud speedily be
adjusted.
The Senator referred to the few Democratic
Senators 10 this body, aud said that when they
spoke u was like the voice of one crying in the
wilderness.' | thank the Senator Cor the Illus
trati0n That voice the voice o. John the
Baptist. His voice Was 10 prepare the way OF ths
Lord IN the wilderness. and 10 make straight
highway IN the desert. If il should be the for
tune Of The few Democrats who are IN this bod,
and Of the Democrats IN the country To prepar,
highNay % which the people may again walk ia
prosperity and union ana in harmony, shaII re
jOce 10 such result
The Senator also referred to the taking off Oh,
head Of Charles /. and he said that the Demo
erats might as well gOod-naturedly place thei
heads under the and let them fail. The Sen
Ator dad DOt do well to depart from his first ig-
ure. He ought 10 have stood By his frst illustra
ton. John the Baptist. who raised bis voice il
the wilderness. lost his head. and why did not th
Sebator adhere To that illnstrationr Why wa
he beheadedl Because Joha the Baptist de
nOuneed incest in the palace Of the king. VIII
shall Democrats lose their heads? Because the
denOunce the evilsof the timesl Because the
denounce the corruption that is found 10 higl
piacesf Because they denOunce the depart
ures from the Constitution and the teachings o
the fathersr OF what sin has the Democrati
party been guilty THAI il should lose It's head
Htsit not stood by the Constifutionl Has
not appealed 70 the people TO stand By Tn
teachings Of the fatbersl Has il not fought 10
the Institutions Of our country As they are bsse
upon the Constitution. the basis that our father
established for themg Why. then, SHOULD W
lose our headsi Ay, IL il Is Ia crafty kim
upon the petition of dancing Girl in his presenc
let the head be taken IL we have done sin; but
We have bat fought for the right, FIVE have bu
commended for the doctrines which have brough
such prosperity and greatness to our country,
think We shall not lose our heads
The gentleman ridiculed and jeered at the pos
sibility OF Democratic triumph in the future.
am not going TO discuss the possibility or impos
sibility of such result pray for it, The con
ditOn Of the country cannot be worse than il
now. Ii the Democrats succeed in securing
election. they can but fail in their efforts to rt
store the Union upon the basis Of the Consfitu
ton. We can try. and IL IS certain that an