Year: 1862

Letter from Hon. James A. Cravens.
To the Citizens of the Second Congressional Dis
tTict of Indiana:


take this method of answering generally the
letters have no had time to reply to individual
lv, asking me whether or not will consent to be
a candidate for re election to Congress, and what
my views are on the leading questions at issue be-
fore the country.


To the first | will say, that if M course in the
present Congress is approved by my constituents,
and they desire my reelection, and signify it by
nominating me TOR another term, will accept it,
and make the best effort l can to maintain Dem
ocratic principles


NV experience is that we could not If we would,
avoid party organizations. Parties have always
existed, and must always exist, in a Government
like ours, where the people are the true source of
all political power. Parties necessary for the
exposition of the corruption and misconduct of
public agents. and also for the maintenance of
proper political principles.


Ii is a mistake to suppose we can rise entirely
above the influence of party and its organization.
Those who claim to do so under the cry of
"Union" and emo party" can hardly be sincere,
and if they have succeeded in deceiving them
selves they ought not to be able to deude any
one whose faith has been firmly planted in the
true and genuine principles of the old Consttu-
tiOnal Democracy, under whose administration of
public affairs for more than half century the
nation grew in wealth and power dispensing the
blessings of good government, civil liberty, peace
and prosperity to the poor and the rich of the
land as no other Government ever did before


/ have always acted with the Democratic party,
and have still faith in the wisdom of its princi-
pies, and whilst it remains faithful to the Consti-
tuition and the Union of our fathers, and does
not hesitate TO meet squarely and fairly
all the issues before the country, feel that
/ have no excuse reason for leaving its or
ganization and experimenting in the ranks of a
new party, whose policy and principles many
of the most vital questions at issue are left TO
conjecture. unless judge them by the
rule that majority of its votaries will determine
the policy and principles which shall characterize
their actOn and, Judging by that rule, | shall
expect TO find the mo Party party of Indiana
vindicating the abolition of slavery in the Dis
trict of Columbia, the abolition of slavery in the
territories, the measures of confscation and
emancipation. and in favor of the scheme Of the
President, which has been sanctioned by the Re
publican party in Congress, to extend to the
States that willing to emancipate their slaves
material pecuniary aid. This means taxing the
people of the free States buy the slaves of the
slave States. This is the entering wedge for the
emancipation of all the slaves of the South.
am opposed TO all these measures, and have re
corded my vote against these and many other



at the present session.


j am no advocate of slavery, but think We
had better leave it where the Constitution and
our fathers left it, When we have paid all that
is due our gallant soldiers who are fighting the
battles of the Constitution for us, our burdens
will be as heavy We will be able to bear, with
out increasing them in the purchase of negroes.


| am for vigorous prosecution of the war with
all the energy and power of the Government
consttutionally directed, to the end that the re
belliOn may be speedily put down, the Union re
stored it was, the Constitution left it is and
the supremacy of the laws established in every
State and Territory Of the United States. And
TO secure these glorious results, whilst the army
in the field will not fail to put down armed trai
tors. We shall have the no less important duty to
perform at the ballot box. which is to meet and
crush ont AbOlitionism, which would overthrow
the Union and sacrifice the lives of two millions
Of white men to liberate four millions of blacks
The times demand that we should meet the
living issues Of the day like men. No skulk-
ing, lodging under the glittering general
ities of platforms that no one would object to
On most of the questions at issue my record j:
made, and before you and the country. Upon il
/ am willing to stand or fsll, as the judgment o
my constituents may determine. Trusting thai
We soon may rejoice in the blessings of national
peace under the broad shield of the Constitution
with the Union restored, am. respectfully, &c


j. A CRAvESs.