Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1865-02-20

sovereign power Of State its reserved and in
alienable rights and the limited nature of the
General Government. And when Capitalization
i encouraged at this crisis by the party in power
when IL seeks 10 provincialize the States, 10
/ emas culate and weaken them TO dependencies,
the unusual change and revolution in our system
startles and astonishes the most philosopbic
/ heart.
At the commencement of Mr.. Lineolns adj
ministiation an amendment was offered 20 the
/ Constitution Of the United States known as the
/ Crittenden amendment, with view TO prevent
the sad troubles which now seattle and slay Us.
/ II that amendment had been adopted, the olive
4 branch would still be clutched by the talons of
| the American eagle, instead of the bolts and
blood which now stain its way. The States
would have maintained their nuptials, still bear
fidelity to their vows If the same effort had been
used 10 maintain peace and Union that Is now
used 20 build barriers against future recOncilla-
| ton The party that presses the resolution to-
day under consideration refused their aid to that
amendment. All effort to secure peaceful So
luton of our embodiment by amendment 10 the
Constitution, when the sting and venom of the
Southern heart might have been allayed, met
with defeat \ little Cancellation at one time
might have done mnch good II would have
purified the heart of malice.
sMlaistered TO N 'nds diseased;
Plucked from memory rooted sorrow;
RaSei out the written troubles of the brain
AID as q sweet Oblivious antidote.
Cl-ansed the stuffed bosom Of that periloas grief
That weighed upon the heart
Then the States would have lived in amity
combined, and unsuspicious faith And the
winter of our discomfort would have been made
glorious summer. and all the clouds that lowered
upon Us in the deep bosom of the ocean buried
/ Human life is painful passage over a restless
| food, and more 10 US within the past few
years than at any former period in the history of
our existence. When we contemplate the vary
ng mind of the American people, the action and
reaction of public emotions, and the danger to
Us of this change and rage of public passion, a
heayiness hangs upon US, lethargy creeps
! throughout our senses, the purple current stag
mates in our veins, and torpor from dismay in
vldes the brain.
\ short time after the amendment introduced
/ by the venerable Crittenden for the attainment
of peace was defeated the adoption of which
would have secured TO MS the ambrosial paradise
of peace, the Congress of the United States
adopted a resolution TO change the Constitution
/ in such way TO secure slavery 70 the States
then holding the same. And after few wears
+ had gone down to the magnificent but melan-
/ chOly mausoleum of ages, bearing with them the
ruins of reason. the wrecks of ambition, and the
| faded flowers of human hopes and human aiec-
/ tons the same Congress passed the resolution
making the amendment 10 the Constitution OF
the United States, the ratification of which Is
sought in the joint resolution under conside-a-
! ton The Southern States did or did not have
the right to hold slaves under the Constitution.
II they had such right, why did the Republican
party seek this amendment 10 the Constitution,
securing slavery to them If they had not that
right, why adopt the Joint resolution now under
| discussion by the Senate The Republican
party has committed itself to the construction
that the Constitution does not secure slavery to
the States, inasmuch the President has issued
prOclamatiOnS interfering with slavery in the
| States and Congress has made enactments i'm
pairing it, security. Ii this is the conscientious
opinion of that party, the amendment proposed
Is useless and supererogatory. II it is not their
| view of the Constitution, then thew have wilfully
deled and stricken that instrument, 10 the sup
port of which they pledged themselves, and in
voked the God of nature to witness their sincerity
and fidelity TO its spirit. The President and
! Congress did or did not believe that the States
| were secured in their domestic institutions by
that instrument against Presidential or Congress
sional interference. IT. in their honest concep-
tons of that instrument, they believed that the
States are not secured against such interposition
of power, then, in their own opinion, this amend
ment i a useless measure. If this was not their
estimate of the organic law of the nation. then
there is more stain and shameless crime in the
hearts of the Republican leaders than ever found
n resting place in the realm of Tartarus. as they
have wilfully torn in tatters that instrument, and
trampled and disgraced it.
/ am willing 10 give an amiable and charitable
construction TO Republican temper, opinions
and behavior, and viii concede that they are
conscientious in their opinion that the Constitu-
ton does not wink az or recognize slavery in the
States; and pursuing the logic of their conduct
and opinions. the President and Congress have
all the power on this vexed and momentons
question that the amendment proposed could
give them, and consequently it is a prodigal
waste of time 10 continue the investigation OF
this measure. Shall this measure be incorpor-
ated in the Constitution The 4th dav of July
+ Is National Sabbath TO us all. Ii was lit up by
an unusual sun IN 1915, as il rose washed from
the bosom of the ocean, and pushed back with
rosy hand the mist and cloud that faced il, 10
give its EXAMINATIONS to the comet blaze of indie
pendence that issued from the hearts of the as
sembleJ. patriots; and though that fire rose with
the dasT and fierceness of the comet it has con-
timed lasting as the sun. That FIRE then knded
burned off the shackles from the colonies, and
eliminated IN the glorious instrument now
sought TO be amended That instrument is sa-
cred and luminous with the spirit of freedom.
When made IL was adapted TO the condition o.
the States. II does not pretend 10 regulate the
| domestic institutions of any State but leaves
them in the hands of the States inalienably
pertaining 20 them. That Constitution was the
nuptial bond uniting them, like the graces. I'M
der It's ample and refugent shelter, with the only
aim 70 form more perfect union, establish JUS
tice, insure domestic tranquility. provide for the
common defence. promote the general welfare,
and secure the blessings OF liberty TO ourselves
and posterity; and would not place despoil-
ing hand upon that instrument, but would leave
II with the grace, the spirit, and proportions
| given 10 II hv the genius and wisdom of our an
ccStry. The human heart RACES in a gale OF
passion, and visions Of blood and violence stain
IT, Ii Tases with the spirit of revolution and
change. X Is FESTIVE under the formula and pa
tient progress of our past history, and with OBJ
liviouS hand would sweep from Us the maxims
that have led TO past distinction and success.
/ though II should bring Us 70 wade through the
midnight of misehanee and blood The air i
.illed with the notes Of change. as if it were
worth ambition. Men rub out the past. change
rules and laws, though proven by the friction OF
experience; and with such pervading passion
ami venom of the heart against all things cid. II
would be dangerous 10 pluck from the way oil
hindrance 70 amendm MS 10 the Constitution of
the United States. Un-avel IL once, give way 70
one amendment, and an unbridlcd tempest Of
change will sweep US to misfortune and possibly
to chains. Nations never die, but commit SUI
eide: and when We see the sword drawn uuon
our neck BY race and held bv the crazy hand OF