The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-10-31
IN THE WAR.
Predicting the Downfall of the American Re.
public to Discourage Northern Patriotism

Predicting the Downfall of the American Re-
public to Discourage Northern Patriotism
To the Editor Of the Commercial Gazette:
In the beginning OF the year 1864 the military
situation was in all respects favorable to the
Union cause. The Mississippi river, in the ex-
p~ressive language Of President Lincoln, iran
unvexed to the sea-" Chattanooga was held in
the 'unrelenting grip" of the Army of the Cum
bsrland. East Tennessee was free. All rebel
ports were 5lockaded.. The rebellion was feed
ing upon its own vitsls. Its one hope was in q
divided North that would prevent enlistments
to take tho place of the first three-year men
whose term OF service expired in the spring and
summer of 1864. How the rebels sought to ac-
complish this and who helped them 10 we'll
shown by the annexed ummsry Of . speech of
Daniel w. Voorhees,. OK Indiana, delivered in
the United States Congress, Wednesday, March
8, 1864, and printed in the Richmond (Va.)
Daily Dispatch on the following Tuesday,
March Is.
IA DYING GOVERNMENT.
"1n the Yankee House OF Representative last
Wednesday Mr.. Voorhees,, of Indiana, said 10
was a melancholy spectacle to behold q free
government die Liberty once lost has never
in the history of the world been regained by the
came people. A republican form Of govern
ment once overthrow has never risen again.
Whenever In the wide domain of human con-
duct a people once possessed Of liberty, with all
the power in their own hands. had surrendered
these great gifts OF good at the commaud of q
usurpsr, they have never afterward proven
tHohaoa'es OAS " regain tAeiT AoEioiseV
treasure.
'The American republic, no said, is dying,
and he proceeded to enumerate the causes
which are working its downfall, saying. among
other things, that under the present administra-
tinn justice was no longer established nor the
blessings of liberty secured to the citizen. No
instance in all history could be found where q
people claiming Christian civilization has wsged
a war of any kind against any toe, in dumb
ferocious silence, without a word, sign, or o
look in behalf Of a peaceful solution. as long as
we have now been engaged in this cruel conflict.
HE argued at length that negotiation now
opened would lead 20 a restoration of the Union
without further slaug liter. and that such q
course of craftsmanship was sanctioned By
enlightened precedent, and especially COM
manJed by Divine law. But such a course
would not accomplish emancipation nor bind up
a general despotism; hence it was not pursued
by the party ia power. He argued that the
management of the Treasury Department had
rendered bankruptcy and ruin inevitable.
He spoke OF General Burnside as infamous
and brutal for his agency in banishine that
statesman aud Christian gentleman, Mr.. Val
landigham: and. 10 conclusion. said the Union
could not be fully dissolved, but that every day
which the present party remained in power
rendered its restoration more remote, aud the
burdens and sufferings OF the people more
iptolerable. He warned the South not to look
forward 10 separation and Independence, but
to embrace every opportunity to cooperate with
the conservative men of the North in returning
TO their allegiance on n basis Of perfect security
for all their rights and Institutions as American
citizens. liz this be done, the next presidential
election will put an end to the war and death,
aud briug a constitutional Union of the States.