Year: 1863

will speak as patriots and statesmen should speak
aud our action will receive the warm and hearty
approval of all loyal and conservative men.


Mr.. Speaker, have been thus open and frank
in stating the principles. policy and purposes OF
the Democratic party. to relieve the opposition
from their unfounded apprehensions, and allay
the excitement that exists IN the State, and which
has been produced by the false and malicious
stories which have been circulated for partisan
purposes. i think that the time has come when
we should be frank with each other. The con
duct of the Administration party has been such,
for the last six weeks. as to satisfy us that you
intend to inaugurate civil war; We believe that
the charges which have been made against us in
the Legislature, in the public journals and before
the people, have been made for the purpose OF
exciting and exasperatng Democrats to such an
extent as to impel them to commit some act OF
violence, and thereby create an excuse and pre-
text to call upon the military power of the State
TO intimdate, overawe, and, if needs he, to inter-
rupt the deliberations of this Legislature.


Messrs. Griffith. Leeds, Budd and several
other members of the opposition party dsclaimed
all knowledge of any such programme.


Mr.. Buskirk said that he and the whole State
would be rejoiced to be convinced that there was
no truth in il.


/ give you notice that if you carry out this
programme, our State will be involved in civil
war, and our property will be destroyed, and our
wives and children murdered. The Democratic
party has ever been in favor of law and order 1t
has ever unalterably opposed mob law and vio-
lence. We intend to do now. We intend to
do no act which will give just cause for violence
or social disorder. If We involved in civil
war. you will be responsible for it.. But do not
suppose that We intend to cowardly and basely
submit. We have borne much. We have been
forbearing and forgving. But we understand
our rights, and have the courage TO maintain and
defend them. When the news that civil war
has been inaugurated is carried by railroad by
telegraph and by other means, there will be such
gathering Of the clans in this Capital as has
never been seen before. Let US understand
each other. When the war begun many persons in
the North said the SOutherners were towards and
would not fight. The men of the South said one
Southern man was equal TO five Yankees The
history of the war has demonstrated that the
men OF both sections were wrong. Ii is no com
plment to an American citizen, whether you find
him North or South East West, to say he is
a brave man. Ii is part of his nature to be
brave and courageous, and to resist wrong and
oppression. / beseech you, do not let us com
NIT the same fatal mistake | cOncede to you
courage and bravery, and claim the same quail
ties for my own party. / admonish you that the
victory is hot always to the strong, nor the race
to the swift The party which resorts to mob
law and violence will have the moral sentiment
Of the world against il. and it will generally be
unsuccessful. Let US profit bv the teachings OF
history and experience of the world We are
told that Hamlu was hung upon the gaIlows he
had erected for Mordeca; that Daniel slep.
soundly and securely in the hons den, while the
wicked men who put him there were devoured by
the wild beasts; that the three Hebrew children
who were placed in the fiery furnace escaped un
scathed. while the persons who placed them there
were consumed by the devourng flames; that
the man who invented the suilotine had his own
head cut Off by il; that Robesp;erre and other de-
mons who inaugurated and for Il time controlled
the French Revolution at last fell victims to the
fury of the mob He that resorts to the sword shall
perish by the sword. | implore you to pause and
let us consider what we are doiDg--whither we
are drifting and what awful consequences will re-
suit from our conduct. The gentleman from St.
Joseph has truIhfuly said thar If civil war is in
augurated in our State that one party alone will
not suffer We will all go down in one common
ruin. We have an equal interest in this country
and an equal motive to preserve the peace, and
save our beloved State from all the horrors and
enormties of civil war. You have property and
so have we. You have homes which are dear to
you, and so have we. You have wives and help
less children, and so have Who can contem
plate the horrors of such a strife? Our cities
will be burned-our towns and villages will be
desolated-our iar helds VIII be ravaged-our
beautiful streams will be red with blOOd-the
rich soil of Indiana will be enriched by the best
blood of her citzens-our homes will be desc
lated and our wives and children will be involve
in the common ruin and desolation and massacre
which will everywhere exist


In conclusion, let me ask YOU. what is all this
for, and what will be the result upon our National
Affairs? If we could not suppress the rebellion
and destroy the armies of the South when we
were united. can we hope to do so when are
divided and involved in civil war?


/ beg the pardon of the House for the time !
have consumed. When l commenced my re
marks / did not intend to speak more than five
or ten minutes, but you will bear me witness that
nearly ali the time has been consumed in answer
ing questions which have been asked me.