Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1865-05-27

ern independence could the Federal Union be re-
stored Such. too bad been the declarations
before and in The beginning OF the var Of many
distinguished men Ia the Republican party, some
OF them still high Ia position. expressed language
the most emphatic. going. even. TO the extent OF
permanent separation. The record OF these decla
rations remains. but 20 quote them. or TO name
| the authors, IL needless. The argument stands
sufficient Of itself.
IL 10 not that the Democratic party opposed
either the civil war CT the peculiar policies upon
which IL was conducted. that Ia TO exclude them
from the confidence OF the people. Scarce
prominent man IN the Republican ranks, unless
Of Democratic antecedents. from the late Presi-
dent down, but opposed-many OF them with un
measured bitterness aud violence-ihe prosecu.
ton Of the foreign Mexican Devoted
Wholly 20 the Union, the old Union, In any
event, the men OF the Democratic party judged
OF the aud of its policies solely by that stand
ard, and upheld or opposed them accordingly.
The party-andl refer to the question because It
has been made the subject Of recent newspaper
eommelt-will, indeed, certainly not follow The
/" Chicago Platform OF ls64. a. a political text
| book nov. any more than the Republican party,
or is heirs or assigns, will adopt the Chicago
| Platform" of 1861 for the same purpose ia the
future; not that the former not the very best
practicable at the period and for the occasion
which brought IL forth: but because. dealing In
time Of var, almost wholly with questions OF
policy. not principle. il would In time of peace.
be quite Inappropriate as the code OF Justinian
or the journals OF the Continental Congress. All
that need now be asked Of our political foes is
that IL be quoted correctly; the more especially
since, though the work OF q committee. made 40
Of some OF the ablest and truest msn in the Cou
vention, and adopted by that body unanimously
amid the rspturous applause OF two hundred thou
sand reemen present or at hand, II survived but
eight days-dyiDg OF circumcision. But there
is one crown of glory, at least, during the ter
rbe trials Of the last four years. richest among
the treasures of the Democratic party, which
cannot be taken away. Iii shall so happen
that to tie Republican party may be due the
honor of maintaining the Union, 20 the Demo
crazy the country is indebted Tor the preserva
ton Of whatever remains OF that other and even
desrer birth right OF Constitutional
Liberty aud private right.
But laying ell these questions aside for the
present, / trust that all mea who, in the old
Roman phrase. feel alike concerning the Repub-
lie now. may be soon brought to act together.
lie who cannot At this moment, Tor season at
least, forget his private griels, or lay aside his
preiudices against men aud parties, for the sake
oil bis country in an hour OF trial which demands
all the wisdom Of the wise and the utmost firm
ness OF tho stoutest hearted among Us, Is too
much of partzaH TO be any thing of patriot.
not difficult. II The melancholy reflection OF
Cicero, In his later years, were well considered
and Just. that true friends are most rarely found
among those who concern themselves IN public
affairs, 1t is quite certain also that perdurable
enmities are equally rare with them. Aud il is
the motive. not the new association. which
marks the change of party habitudes as patriotic
or corrupt liz was not the mere fact that Fox
and Burke united in coalition with Lord North,
| haf mall all nti In he 10
but because the purpose aud circumstances OF
the coalition were unpopular aud not Just Here
aud now the war having accomplished all that
the sober and rational among its advocates ever
claimed for 1.-THE breaking down OF the chief
military power of the Confederate Government
we have reached the point where all that class
among It's supporters OF whatever party, must
now unite with the friends of peace aud couciiis
ton, In eKhausting all the arts OF craftsmanship
TO the end that speedy and perfect pacihcation.
and with it, real and cordial reunion, may be
secured. The questions which belong tos state
of war are. In their very nature and from neces
sity. totally distinct from those which arise upon
a cessation OF hostilies. Men who have hither-
to agreed on other Issues. will differ widely now
and Jew party association must follow
The hereditary supporters OF the President just
| inauguratee. must not assume that, a. a matter
OF course, the Democratic party will be found in
opposition upon these questions. On the record,
| up TO the day when the Executive Office, by rea
| son of horrible crime. was forced upon him, he
| himself differed from that porty only. or chiefly.
as to the fact and the manner OF prosecuting tue
war. Not responsible for anything done or
omitted by the late Administration. whereof the
Democracy complained, now that the war is end
ed. he begins his Chief Msgisuacy without past
difference 10 principle present separation "a to
policy. In any event, he ~ entitled At the hands
Of The Democratic party TO q fair, candid aud
charitable consideration of the several measures
which he shall propose, though most assuredly at
the same time, IL will be the duty OF that party
to render strict. firm and fearless judgment upon
them, and TO act accordingly as they shall be
found TO merit support or TO demand opposition.
1t is, indeed already to be lamented that although
General Sherman may not have had authority
and he claimed mono for himself referring all To
the Executive-his plan of Pacfcation and Re
union was not promptly confirmed by the Presi
dent. IL was concise, comprehensive, complete:
proving him not less wise and great in the science
of craftsmanship, than great and triumphant in
the arts OF war. And il would have made peace
immediate and sincere. peace from the Potomac
to the Rio Grsnde" This was his proud con
grstulatory boast TO his army at the end of the
great struggle, and not OF any victory in the
field. Defeating the armed military hosts OF the
Confederacy. his aim. at the close. was to con
quer the hearts OF its people also, and to be
exalted tnus as tue hero OF feace-tne only true
heroism in civil war.
Upon the great question of reconstruction. as
the Democratic party is without power, so ii is
without responsibility It can but accept or re
ject whatever measures may be proposed. If the
policy which the President may recommend shall
appear. upon a calm aud deliberate scrutiny best
adapted in general TO secure speedy, complete
cordial and lasting pscihcation upon the basis of
the Federal Union of the States, it will in my
judgment be ft and just that the Democracy,
waivi- all minor points of detail lend to him a
liberal. earnest and patriotic support in carrying
il into execution. II, upon the other hand. it be
such can but make that solitude which con-
querors call peace; or, worse If possible, that
peace which hangs like black and heavy pail
over Hungary. Ireland and Poland. then II will
be the duty OF the Democratic party. with de-
termined frmness and fesrlessness, to interpose
such constitutional and legal opposition through
the press and in public assemblies. NAV be just
and efficient. til either the President shall be i'm
PEELED 70 change both his Cabinet aud the meas
to which they may have advised bun, or the
people. peaceably through the ballot, shall be
enabled to secure pacihcation and Union by
change of Administration and of policies. | say
q change In part or in whole, of the Cabinet, in
advance OF the election, because, remembering
the peculiar circumstances under which the Office
fell TO the President. "the Ministry" are rather
to be held responsible than himself.
A. a. ek~ nd rno IF afawn