The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-09-11
EXCLUDING THE WAR PERIOD
A Compilation of Incidents and Facts in
the History of Indiana Democracy.
Reasons Why Mr.. Hendricks Does Not "Care
to COuntin the War Period The Party's
Record Saturated with Treason.

Washington Special to Cincinnati Commercial Ca
zette
There is no more disgraceful passage in the
history Of the Democratic party than the record
Of the Indiana Democracy during the war. That
record is part of the history of the party
Thomas A. Hendricks was the leader of the
Indiana Democracy during the war, and he is
its, most popular leader now. In 1862 he was
elected to the United States Senate as an anti
war Democrat, and to-day he is the party's can
didate for Vice-president
The record Of the Indiana Democracy dufing
the war belongs, therefore, to the record Of the
party, and Mr. Hendricks and other surviving
Headers of that period are as much responsible
for it now as they were then. 1t must never be
forgotten that very many loyal Democrats in all
the Northern States gave hearty support to the
government in its efforts to suppress thesrebels
lion, either enlisting in the army or lending their
patriotic assistance at home. But much the
larger number and in most Of the States the
party as an organization, were opposed TO the
war, and did all in their power to cripple and
embarrass the government in its efforts at self
preservation.
This was notably the case in Indiana. where
Mr. Hendricks was the leader of his party. The
methods by which the disloyal Democracy en-
deavored to effect their object, were, frst by
legislative action intended to hinder the govern
ment from raising and equipping troops; second,
by expressions of popular feeling in the resolu-
tions OF local meetings and general conventions,
and in the utterances Of speakers and newspa-
pers denouncing the government; third, by the
e - -
diers through the letters of relatives and friends
misrepresenting the objects and eondemning the
conduct of the war; urging desertion, and prom
Using protection to deserters; fourth, by local
organization in nearly every county for the pur-
pose of protecting deserters, resisting the draft,
and obstructing the enlistment of volunteers;
fifth, by secret and sworn order known as the
knights of the Golden Circle, or as ssThe Sons
| of Liberty" organized for the expressed purpose
of assisting the rebellion by resisting the meas
ures of the government and prepared by the
arming and drilling of its members to resort to
active hostilities.
Ali of these methods were resorted to by the
Indiana Democracy, and vigorously practiced
under the leaders of that period. of whom Mr.
Hendricks was one. Considering them in the
above order, we remark, first the Indiana House
of Representatives of 1868. in which the Demo
Gratis had a large majority, refused to receive
Governor Morton's message because it did not
approve his war views. They voted down a
reSOlublOu declaring bnaJ 6ne members OF this
Legislature will vote for no man for Office who
is not in favor of a vigorous prosecution of the
war and is not unalterably opposed to the sever
ance of any State or States from the Union.
They adopted resolution denouncing the arrest
of disloyal persons as acts Of tyranny and fla
grant violations of the rights of the people
They voted down resolution to appoint a.,
committee to inquire in regard to the existence
OF secret reasonable organization, having for
its object the dissolution of the Union and the
formation of a Northwestern Confederacy. with
aview to ultimate annexationto the South. r
They voted down proposition to permit Indi-
ana soldiers in the field to vote and refused lin
repeated instances, to receive or entertain me-
MORALS, sent by soldiers in the field, asking
them to cease their opposition to the war, and
their efforts to ombarrass the government
Thcy passed resolution demanding that the
President shall immediately withdraw his Eman
cipation Proclamation, and denouncing the en-
ployment of negro troops.
They passed resolution calling for suspen-
sion of hostities and for anational convention to
devise means of bringing the war to an immedi-
ate close lin January, 1861 and of which reso-
luton the Richmond Whig on February IL,
1868, said: "We, of the confederate States
should do what is possible to encourage the
growth and aseendency of that spirit
The foregoing are few instances Of the dis
loyal action of the Indiana Legislature in 1863
of which many more might be cited. AT differ
ent times during the war, Democratic meetings
were held in various counties throughout the
State, at one Of which it was declared; IF fight
we must, we will fight FOR the Constitution and
the Union and will naver give any aid or assist
ance to the continuing of this unholy and uncon-t
stitutonal war;
Another meeting declared: 1--WE are opposed
to men or money to prosecute war to free
negroes, and demanded ian immediate armis-
tice.n
Another declared that 1--WE are opposed to the
prosecution of the present war for the subjuga
ton of States.
,aA Eg,r,a
send one single soldier to the present contest
while it is conducted for its present unholy pur
pose.n
Another, that I'VE hereby declare our opposi-
ton to the further prosecution of the war; and
that we are not in favor of furnishing the
present administration another man, gun OF
dollar for such hellish and unchristian cru
sade.n
Another, that 1--WE regard the lives Of white
men as of more value than the freedom of the
negro. and we have given the last man and the
last money we are willing to give for the prose
cution of the present abolition war;
Another: THAT it is beyond the power of the
North to restore the Union by force, and we ]
call on the administration at once to stop use
less slaughter of our people and proclaimAn arm
isticen N.s Hff
Another THAT it is the deliberate sense Of
this meeting that not another soldier and not
another dollar should be furnished for the fur
Their prosecution of this war for negro emanci-
patton
Similar resolutions were passed by the De-
mocracy in nearly half the counties Of the State,
and these citations could be indefinitely multi,
piled They are of record Srss 10 f7s.:5S
On the 10th of August 1864, nearly year be-
fore the close Of the war; sAu Address of the
Democratic State Central Committee to the
People of Indiana was published In the Demo
cratic organ at Indianapolis in which, after de-
..aring the right Of the people ito bear arms as
a necessary means Of defense the committee
said. I'VE especially recommend to the people,