The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-02-13

thize with our Southern Observation-Disclosures
we have stood up manfuliy and nobly for the
right--if it is because we want to guarantee
them the same rights we enjoy ourselves
put your epithets upon us as much as you
please. You will find strong arms and brave
and true hearts beating in the breasts of over
an hundred thousand Indanians that will
say, as you march under abolition banners
toward our brothers on the other side of
yonder river: Thus far shalt thou go, and
no farther mean that whenever the
President OF the United States of America
calls upon the Governor of the State of Indi-
ana for troops to 20 to the Southern States
and whip those seven States back into the
Union and force them to remain an integral
part OF the government mean that stand
where kosciusko and Pulaski stood. | will
leave my native land, my hearthstone, my
wife and family, and rather become prl-
waite in the Southern army lighting for
equal rights and privileges, rather than be
the commander-in-chief of the Abolition
army that would be compelled to go to the
South to shed the blood of those who dare
raise their arms for freedom and liberty, fer
justice and self-preservation u When
you attempt by Northern power to compel
the Southern people of this country to re-
main subservient and become vas
sails to them foreign power; when
that day comes l pray
that God Almighty may, in His provi
uellCe anu mercy, SeNu an earthquake 10 SILK
the whole United States in one common
grave. Il ~ If this be treason, then
am a traitor. But with me you will find
more than a hundred thousand traitors in
this broad land, in the State of Indiana.
But, If nothing but war and blood
and strife will settle the matter-if you are
determined TO force things let me tell you
now You will not have a united North, and
God forbid that you should. Upon every
broad hillside, and in every vale in the
broad prairies, and in the wilds of the will
derness, thousands and tens OF
thousands would rise IN to meet
you and stay your onward march,
who would lay down their lives upon the
battlefield ere you should, under the black
banner of aboltionism, invade the Southern
States to lay waste their villages and cities,
incite their slaves to servile Instruction. and
carry devastation and misery OIL every hand,
and you would find foemen worthy of your
steel"
Commenting on this speech, a correspond
ent of the New Albany Ledger, then as now
one of the ablest Democratic papers in In
diana, said
1T places the Democratic party of Indiana
irretutably on record in the present extrem-
ity of the country Before he (Heffren)
would be drafted by His Excellency, the
Governor of the State, for an army to suhiu
gate the South, he would do, he said as La
fayette did, as SIeuben did. leave his native
soil and volunteer as private in defense of
those whom the North would assail. Two
hundred thousand freemen would meet the
abolition hordes here upon the very soil of
Indiana, and over their dead bodies they
must advance, following the bloody banner
of civil war"
THE WASHINGTON COUNTY RESOLUTIONS.
Going from the halls of legislation back to
his home in Washington county Mr.. Heffren,
then as now leader among Democrats, was
chairman of a committee appointed at
public meeting called to express the views of
that county. The purpose was to adopt reso
buttons and select a delegation to represent
Washington county in a peace convention to
be held in Indianapolis Feb. %, 1861. Among
other resolutions reported by and probably
written by Mr. Heffren were the following:
"Resolved That in view of the geOgraphcal
position of he State of Indiana in The United
States of Anrrcn, her commercial agricultural,
mechanical and manufacturing interests being
as.ln our Judgment we conceive them to he, IN
1erwnven aud Iuslrred chiefly by the south and
Southern institutions, that a separation there
from would be fatal to tile prosperity, glory and
wealth of our beloved State, and thar while we
dtpr"cate and drpl"re "A separation Of our
glorious Union, and believe IL to be onr duty ms
well ms our interest to do all that can he done to
avert so fearful a calamity, yet, il separation
must and Will come, the line of separation must
run north of us.
"Rrsolved, That we prefer that
peaceaple dissolution take place rather than co.
erriOn, which is hut another name for civil war:
and when the time comes, If come it must, and
we are compelled to choose between Narrowing
under the banner of coercion and the banner of
people tshing 10 preserve and retain their
equal rights and liberties, we should h. wanting
IN patriO ism, ana Obiiyidus to the example OF
the hrru-> and patriotic -ires of the Revolution,
could we do else Than shoulder our arms nd
follow thar flag upon whose ample folds is in
scrihed liberty aud equal rights To all, against
any and all oppressOrs, come from where they
may"