Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1865-01-13
The Proposed Abolition Censtifu-
sfonal Amend meut.

The proposition before Congress to abolish
slavery by an amendment Of the constitution 10
thst effect s ill-timed, unnecessary and in viola
ton Of the theory and spirit Of oEr political in
stitutions. We publish this morning some re-
marks made by Mr.. vooRHxEs in the House up
on the question. which are forcibls and appropri-
ate The troubles Of the country have been
complicated by the proclsmations Of the pres-
dent and the legislation Of Congress In regard to
the question OF slavery. Neither have advanced
the object in view. Not one slave has been
set free By the action OF either. Slavery has
crumbIed with the advance Of our armies, and
by no other agency has a fetter been loosened.
In no case, have the slaves struck blow
for themselves or made an effort to secure
their freedom without the aid Of the military
power of the nation. II the administration bad
adhered TO the single purpose in the prosecution
Of the war, which il avowed in the commence
ment of the struggle-the overthrow Of the re-
bellion and the restoration Of the national au
thority-the north would have been united IN
sentiment, aed precisely the same results, so Tar
as negro slavery is concerned, would have been
accomplished that have been. The wisdom OF
such course must now be apparent to all
What il to be gained by the proposed amendment
to the constits tion prohibiting slavery, we cannot
divine As ve have said. il will not set a slave
free. and il the system of slavery is destined to
be overthrown, il will be an incident or result oil
the war Why not, then. leave.the whole mat,
ter 10 the working Of events, which even legis
Iation or pronunciamentos cannot affect or con-
troll
Aside from the policy of the proposed amend
neb<, there is a question Of principle involved
which should be regarded and respected. No
quite four years ago, Mr.. LINCOLN, in his inau
gural address. gave u.terance to the following
sentiments the representative Of the part,
which assumed and 20 whom was con6ded th'
adpinistration of the government:
/ declare that have no purpose directly o
Indirectly, 70 interfere With the institution o
slavery in the states where il exists. | belley
/ have no lawful right to do so. and | hav
no inclination to do so. Those who nomina
ted and elected me did so with full knowledg
that had made this and many similar declar
ations and had never recantcd them. An
more tn1n tnlSs tucy ptdccu III INC piaeiOlH ~
nv acceptance, and as law &c themselves an
to me, the clear and emphatic resolution whic
| now read:
Resolved, That the maintenance inviolate .
the rights of the states. and especially oil IN
right OF each state to order and control it, oS
domestic institutions according TO its own Judg
ment exclusively, is essential 10 the balance o
power 90 which the perfection and endurance G
our political fabric depend
The proposed amendment, accepting the cor
structon placed by Mr. LINCOLN and the reput
iican party upon the rights OF the states an
powers of the general government must be n
garded as striking down the very principl
which the president and his politics
friends deemed essential to the balanC
Of power on which the perfection an
endurance Of cur political fabric depend &c
tainly those who desire TO maintain "our polit
cal fabric" cannot favor the proposition whi'
the Republican party itself. was uawilling to 10
crate but four years ago. The Democrats
Congress have done right in opposing th
amendment No practical good can result fro
IL, while, on the other hand Il is "A fatal stab
that political fabric which gave the nation pro
perty and greatness. and freedom TO the citize
uneqGalled by any other system OF goverDmen
five desire to preserve constitutional liberty. Il
safe way is to adhere to those principles whic
experience has demonstrated to be necessary
secure and maintain it,