Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1865-1872, 1867-11-29

10 Nc Rudicat ffiends
Before acoopIng the nomination for
Senator for Marion county, so hatteringly
rendered mo by tle informal mooting held
ou the 9th instant, propose word or
two on tho 'situnion." IL may noe be
necessary, finally. lor US to run u separate
ticket and organise party outside of the
party with which W. have heretofore 90. op.
Grated. Possibly ve have been necdlossly
alarmed by the seeming results Of tho late
elections. Some Of us were much worse
scared by tho political aud military fall
ures OF 1862, aud had we followed tho ad.
vice Of hasty, but true men, We would
have upset aiIdrs generally, reorganized
tho Cabinet. put strengthening plaster
on Mr. Lincolos back, and changed the
policy OF tho civil add military depart-
mouts Of the governments entirely. IL Is
not necessary for Us 10 admit that wo were
wrong then, and that our policy would
have been fatal, for wc yet believe that
there was better way. but IL our ends
were reached even by q more cireui,ous
aud more expensive way wo have this an-
swer TO those that thon opposed us, that
they had at last, and Ia spite OF themselves.
come to our platform. Years ago va
would have abolished slavery by legisla-
ton and at the cost Of only few millions,
because slavery was both wrong aud i'm
polite. but demagogues cried "uneonstitu-
tionaL" AT last they abolished Il at the
cost Of untold millions oftreasuro aud riv-
era of blood. To-day We ask that every
relic of tho old abominstion be wiped out
and that the distinction which long peri
cd Of the rule of Shareholders had fastened
upon US be wholly removed. In short We
propose the enfranchisemen, of the negro
We are met by the old cry "uncoustitu--
tional." The unques.ionable truth Is that
this must be accomplished. Ii il simply a
question Of time and Of detail We would
move boldly, by an net Of Congress and
settle the controversy at once, thus giving
The country rest from this question forever
The negro enfranchisod, all Of the collater.
al questions will soon aud easily adjust
themselves, aud the attention Of the people
could be devoted to questions OF finance
and revenue, aud other matters Of political
economy.
Possibly the present Congress may YET
do this II was after the disastrous re-
treat Of Bucl to Louisville, and the stolen
victories Of the Democracy, in 1862, that
measures were taken that none but Radi-
Gals had proposed 10 the beginning of the
war. IL this is done. the parties will soon
be viewing with each other for the honor
of having accomplished Il. Did not even
Voorhees, claim Ia his speeches last sum
mor that ,ce had abolished slavery-and
noe had given the negroes their civil righ.Si
III Congress shalt enfranchise tho negroes
by the frst of FEBRUARY, there will not q
dog move his tongue against tho policy BY
the first Of June, but even conservative.
will court the African vote by every de-
vice known to demagogues.
But we are told the people are not ready
for such q movement. Perhaps not, bul
they will become ready " not otherwise
by process as expensive MS that which
step by step brought them 6rst TO tolerat,
In the camp then to arm, aud thea tc
omancipa,e the negroes. Mr.. Lincoln
said III have not controlled events, bul
events have controllec me-" IL We arc mol
wise enough to settle this question at onc,
aud forever, "eyents' will compel US to set
tie Il hereafter, at creator cost than II
cun be done now.
But meanwhile, should we separate our,
selves from those who possibly under the
pressure OF defeat constitute tho majority
of our partyY II the question Of sprren-
dering to tho rebels had been submitted
to a popular vote five years ago, II would
have received niue tenths Of the votes out
side Of the radicals. II could no. be
hence the country was saved. Just nov
our timid brethren arc trimming between
the devil aud the deep sea, hardly know
ing to which to 90. To one Of the ortho-
dox persuasion the choice is not difficult
We would take to the water rather than
20 70 the devil, for We would hope for 1
better chance hereafter. Between surren
deriug our convictions of right, and tenn
porary defeat, we take the defeat Of choice
for that will leave US hope ola respecta
BILE future. But let us wait awhile. II
in the adjustment Of affairs no man OF rad
ical convictions is allowed voice or
place--if we who have heretofore pointed
out the way, are wholly Ignored aud re
quired to subordinate every conviction to
the prejudices Of others, we shall certainly
take 10 the water rather than to the other
party.
Entertaining these views, I most re-
specially ask the privilege Of taking un-
der further adv.scment the nomination S,
unanimously rendered me, meanwhile as
suring you that you are at liberty to sub
sIitute any other name. at any time thai
you may suppose that the interests Of tn,
cause Of right demands il.
L. A, GOODWIN.