Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1865-1872, 1866-02-23
LETTER FROM INDIANAPOLIS.

Tie Temperance Norcmeat- Congress and
The Rddicais-Negro Suffrage ani The
GreensJurgh Chronicle-Ihc MIX IN the
Cocoa. nut -Amasements, dc.
Correspondence Of the Indiana Americana
INDIANAPOLIS, IND, Feb. II, 1866.
Mr. Editor,-I notice by the Cincinnati
Dailies that the Iron Horse has made his
appearance in the suburbs Of your town,
which will mar the usual monotony and
tranquility of the beautiful White Water
Valley.
In speaking Of that word-tranquiliiy in
modern city is jewel rarely found, ex-
cept that which is rocked in the cradle of
infancy; but as soon as human being
arrives at the age Of reason, he is driven
by the strong tide ofpassion. Agrcediness
for gold, and an unquenchab,e thirst for
fame, is ever driving men TO renewed ex.
ertions in storing them up. The greedy
man is not content with tranquility and
peace, out drives ahead in the chase after
fame and wealth with restless spirit, until
tho bubble Of life bursts, and he is lowered
in the tomb, with his appetite for the
phantom lie has chased, unappeased
The Temperance men hereabouts are
gathering their forces and best energies
together, intending to make stand and
give fight to the "demon If intemperance.
A temperance journal, to be published in
this city, will make its appearance shortly,
advocating rigid onactmen; OF law against
the growing evil. 1t will also advocate
moral suasion, and the use of no stimulant
stronger than cold water from that pure
fountain Of health that gusbes up in the
very centre of heaven and sprinkics its
blessings on every part Of mother Garth
During the session Of the last Legislature,
temperance measures were brought before
that body, with hope of having the Re
publican members take hold of, and ''put-
ting them through" But it was not
considered polite, or even wise, by the
leaders of that party, to shoulder the load
of condemnation that would have been
beapcd upon any party instrumental in
passing at that time a stringent temperance
law. 1t should be remembered that
morality and politics are not synonymous
terms, and, on tic other hand, that whiskey
is powerful lever of political strength,
which will not be discarded by either party
as a mere V'abstract question of right or
wrong"
The proceedings of the present Congress
are growing more interesting as they pro-
gress. 1t seems as though Sumner of the
Senate, and Stevens of the House, arc
seeking the leadership of the radical
element. If these men succeed ia "placing
the bit in the mouths" of the conservative
Republicans, the radicals can spur and
whip them into any fanatical measure
that may be sprung. The unprovoked
attack of Mr. Stevens in the House on the
President. concerning his expression of
views on amending the Constitution, is
regarded as unjust aud undigniiied. What
American citizen, in Office or out, has not
the right ofexpressing his opinions on any
subject or measure? This old man, who
seeks to lead, foams and frets, and denouncos
the President for what? Why, for freedom
Of thought and speech. 4 man need be
no prophet to see that the people will not
be led by such an impracticabc leader as
Thad. Stevens.
see by the indianapolis Journal that
the vote of your Representative in Con-
gress, on the negro suffrage question, has
called forth from the Versailles Dispatch
and Grcensburg Chronicle unjust aud will
full attacks on the aforesaid gentleman.
With these men il is an easy matter to
account for the milk in the cocoa nut. "
Negro suffrage is only pretcxt--a vote
against that does not affect them. The
distribution ola few small loaves and very
small fish has stirred the bile on their stom-
achs, The case Of the hedgling editor oil
the Chronicle is hard indeed, when he has
MANNED soldier for competitor in the
race after small post-o2ice, and is beaten,
Our sympathy for him runs over with pity
The Versailles Dispatch, being published
in the interest of former Collector, it Of
course would be dissatisfied even IL yosl
Representative had voted aiiirmativoly
The position tho editor of this paper takes
on the subject ofncgro suffrage is ludicrou: